Theine Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 I'm really struggling with ballast placement on my lure. 2 questions Should I tape some weight to the bottom of the lure and make test casts I was thinking about pouring lead for my ballast. Am I over complicating it going that route? Thanks much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 (edited) Lead "dot" weights are sold for ballast changing on the exterior of a lure. These weights are self adhesive or you can tape them to the lure. I have a set of leather hole cutters/punches. I cut foil for eyes and have cut dot weights from the weights that are used to balance a car tire by sticking to a rim. The weights are more flat and most are square in shape. Remember that the tape weight can change the buoyancy of the lure and being on the bottom will not be the same as when the ballast is in the bait. There are calculators, spreadsheets to help but I have not had good results with them. I guess since I use more native woods species of North America. As far as making your own ballast, I do. I used oak boards as a mold which is ok. I was worried that the hole of the pour was getting bigger, changing the weight. My alternative was to get a blank mold and drill hole sizes that I would use now and maybe in the future. There is a crazy person here named Ben who uses lead wire. I'm sure that he will be a long shortly. He/? (You really don't know) can help you or someone else can help. Remember the lower in the belly of the lure, the more stable the lures run. But some times a little higher makes the perfect lure travel. I hope this helps, Dale Edited May 4, 2016 by DaleSW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 What type of lure is it. Crankbait.......wakebait.............swimbait If it's a crankbait is it a shallow or deep diver? Size of bait? Exactly what issues are you having? Is the bait not setting in the water to suit you? Is it leaning to one side? Is the amount of ballast a problem? All these things would help us help you. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 There is a crazy person here named Ben who uses lead wire. I'm sure that he will be a long shortly. He/? (You really don't know) can help you or someone else can help. Dale, If you can't tell that I'm a "He" by my profile pic then you really need to make an appointment to see your optometrist. I'd make an extremely ugly woman. Ben 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Oh so that is you. You are a truthful person also!! Back to the topic now, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 A picture of lure would help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 A picture of lure would help. Do you mean a picture of Ben, or the lure? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Dear god no! A picture of lure, I've seen women like that in the highlands, there scary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 You guys are too funny for my own good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted May 6, 2016 Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 You guys are too funny for my own good. It's hell to be popular! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted May 6, 2016 Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 If you're building a design of lure for the first time, it is a big help to do some trial tests so you can see how the lure behaves before you glue in that ballast. No, you aren't over-complicating the process. Changes in the position and amount of ballast have huge effects on performance. Once you get it where you want it, be sure to write down how much and where that ballast went so you can replicate it in the future. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted May 6, 2016 Report Share Posted May 6, 2016 Take digital pictures with your cellphone of the build process, and all the options you try, and you'll have a record to send to your computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theine Posted May 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 Great ideas everybody. The bait is a 8" crank for musky will try the suggestions today and will post finds later today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW Lures Posted May 7, 2016 Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 (edited) I'm working on the same size bait, for the same species of fish. I'm doing a stick type and a swim type. I will make two or three of each. I will find what weight is needed to do what I want the lure to do. Then find the approximate locations for ballast. Then I will place the ballast in and check the bait in the water by using a rod. If all's good I will have the all information about the lip, ballast weights, depth of ballast, etc. If the lure is not what I'm looking for, then bait two comes into play or three LOL. When the first one that is what I want, I keep for future reference (unpainted). I will take pictures to. All measurements are kept on a spreadsheet. In the future I use a contour gauge to find the shapes that I want, so I can make another one. I then link the pic to the spreadsheet of the baits information. I know that this seems out of control, but it's not. I have found this out when I started and I wish that I did it from the beginning. I backed up and got the existing information now. Since this way of keeping info is set up now, it's not bad at all. My grand really enjoys working on baits with me. This information will help her. She is a accomplish kayaker that loves to fish. She will start fishing soon for this season with her own baits. Take Care, Dale Edited May 7, 2016 by DaleSW 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
