stumpjumper16 Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Just finished drawing plans to try to make a speed trap but wanted some input as to whether I should use pvc or balsa. Any input would be welcome due to the fact that I have only worked with basswood previously making shallow diving baits and haven't ever tried a thru wire construction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 If you'll use one of the higher density balsa woods you won't need to use through wire construction. It will be strong enough to use epoxied hook hangers/line ties and will be "livelier" than PVC. I shied away from balsa when first starting to build lures because I didn't like using through wires. Now that I'm using a balsa that weighs in at around 18 lbs. per cubic foot it's a joy to work with. No more need for a wire through. It shapes and sands easily and it's buoyant enough that it makes a lively crank. just my , Ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpjumper16 Posted January 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Ben, thanks for your reply. I may just try doing a few from each to see pros and cons from each material. I think the tricky part will be balancing with the belly weight. I'm unsure whether or not to use a 2 g belly weight or insert a weight just ahead of the belly hook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 For me, the thing that makes the speed trap so great is it's light walled plastic (used to be called egg shell lures), which makes them more lively, and the higher pitched rattle that goes with that thinner plastic. If I were going to make one, I'd use PVC, because it would be slightly heavier, so I could throw it easily with baitcaster, and I could add rattles. But balsa would definitely make a much more lively bait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gliders Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Out of interest mark, what weight is the p.v.c you guys use per cubic foot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stumpjumper16 Posted January 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 Thanks for the reply mark . I've got a couple traced out on balsa, pvc, and poplar to start with. Plan on making all my cuts tomorrow. What size belly weight would you use with the pvc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) When copying a commercial bait, I want the final weight of the copy to be identical to the original. You need a cheap digital scale to do this. Weigh the original and as you build the copy, add up the components and subtract that from the original's weight to determine the amount of ballast needed. For medium sized bass baits, I estimate the weight of an epoxy finish to be .02 oz. using this method, you can build a copy that is within .01-.02 oz of the original. However, it should be noted that the bait may not necessarily swim exactly the same as the original due to the differences in weight distribution of a solid wood or pvc body compared to a plastic shell original. But it will be the close. Edited January 4, 2017 by BobP 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 4, 2017 Report Share Posted January 4, 2017 17 hours ago, gliders said: Out of interest mark, what weight is the p.v.c you guys use per cubic foot? I'll check and post what I find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
