Joeybatts125 Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) Hey guys i want to get into swimbait building. I bought some basswood and balsa already. I have tied jigs in the past but thats the only lure I've ever made. If anybody could lead me in the right direction and give me some tips that would be awesome. Also what lure to make first. I have designed a glide bait and drew it out but i also can see that maybe a rat bait could be an easier first build. Any Help is appreciated. Edited March 15, 2016 by Joeybatts125 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 (edited) Ive never built a "swimsuit" (auto correct i assume Edited March 15, 2016 by JRammit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeybatts125 Posted March 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 Ive never built a "swimsuit" (auto correct i assume) Topwater lures are a good place to start... Once you get your build process down, you can move onto greater challenges like swimbaits Ton of reading here!... Search things like "hinge" "joint" "section" "swimbait" ect........ Start with the oldest posts first, somtimes when the same question is asked over and over, the answers get diluted over time.... Best reading is way back haha yeah auto correct XD. So try to make a jointed topwater lure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osutodd Posted March 15, 2016 Report Share Posted March 15, 2016 I definitely prefer the two piece swimsuits. And swimbaits too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRammit Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 haha yeah auto correct XD. So try to make a jointed topwater lure? You choose your own path... I started on topwaters, then jumped into crank baits.... Still havnt built a swim bait, they scare me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeybatts125 Posted March 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 I definitely prefer the two piece swimsuits. And swimbaits too. hahahhahaha sorry autocorrect XD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonister Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 First get a sewing machine, then some fabric..... All kidding aside, Welcome to TU! Swimbaits are very time consuming and challenging, but are great fun. Definitely a build to go for. I am with JRammit on this one though. Topwaters are a good first build. I made quite a few, along with some sinking pieces of wood with hooks, before I moved on to other stuff. That being said, don't let us hold you back. If you are focused on swimbaits then go for it!! You will find that there is a ton of great info here on swimbaits, and even more great members who can help you out! Good luck, and I warn you, This stuff is super addicting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted March 16, 2016 Report Share Posted March 16, 2016 In my experience, hinged swim-baits are not as difficult as they may appear. Yes, they are certainly more involved in the build, with the hinges and multiple sections to ballast. A lot of planning to get all the hardware to fit into the small spaces. But, my success rate is 100% I literally cannot remember ever having a hinged swimmer that I failed to get working. I certainly could not say the same for crank-baits, which has been my main build experience. The most important thing with hinges, is total freedom of movement. Not even the slightest rub is acceptable. The swimmers that did not work first time, were solved by fixing rubbing hinges. Length distribution is probably important. The nose section slightly longer than the rest. But a precise formula is not necessary, there seems to be a lot of leeway. I use something like 3:2:2:2 I have read of others using 2:1:1:1. Look through the gallery and web and see what proportions others have used. Ballast low down for a vertical swim. I like to ballast mine so that all the bait floats horizontal, believing that this relieves rubbing at the hinges. Others think this is not necessary. Many do not ballast the rear section whereas I generally do if possible. My point is that there is no fixed formula, the baits work. Dave 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tendelta Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Make a Minnow bait/ jerk bait first 6 or 7 inches long with basswood easy carving, sanding, and not hard to get it to float and swim right side up, . Only takes a few days and don't worry about a great paint job yet, and it will catch fish but most important is the learning how to, over the quality. Vodkaman, hope spelling is correct, has a great how to video, that will save a lot of time and save you from making bad choices, when carving basswood use a regular metal file, one that is used to file steel, it removes material faster than sand paper but is controllable. Another easy wood to use is cedar, Lowes/Homedepot have it in 8 Ft. for few bucks, cheap and strong and I have used it for 30 years for saltwater lures. It will take a few lures built and lots of cussing before you get one that is right, I think everyone has lots of bad fish baits decorating their shop. good luck Reno Replogle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
