increasing plug buoyancy and changing action

[bassclass]

This is a two pronged question.

Question 1: There is no shortage of information about how to make abs crankbaits heavier so that they suspend, but how do you modify them so that they are more buoyant, like balsa? I know a lot of people have talked about using spray foam or expanding resin to make them silent or to repair plugs that get thrashed by toothy critters, but I have not seen anything about making them float higher, faster. Interested to know what people have done before I modify any high-dollar plugs. 

Question 2: How would I change the action to make a crankbait have a more pronounced action? I have some baby 1-minus knock offs that are nice, the only issue is that when they foul, they lose their action. I am wondering if anyone has had any success making a modification of this sort. I was thinking about sanding/filing the bill so that instead of it being somewhat convex, it was more flat, thereby making it more difficult for water to move around the bill. Has anyone done this? what were the results? 

I am open minded here and was also thinking about gluing the ball bearings and sealing the hole, removing them entirely, or going with smaller hooks. Has anyone done this and noticed any difference with making any of these modifications? Are there any other mods that would accomplish this goal? 

 

 

[mark poulson]

For your first question, I use two ways to increase buoyancy.

First, I increase buoyancy by drill holes in the top/back of my baits, and gluing discs from aluminum cans over them, to trap air inside and I cover the discs with a thin coat of bondo, so I can sand the bondo down to follow the bait's contours.  When I'm done sanding/shaping, I add a drop or two of runny super glue to strengthen the bondo disc patch area.

Second, I actually use the natural buoyancy of the bait's material, because I use either wood or PVC trim board to make my baits from.  I shape my baits with a V cross section, like the cross section of a battleship, so there is more buoyant material higher in the bait.  That way I can add less ballast and still get a stable bait that is lighter and more active.  Plus that shape keeps the bait from rolling or blowing out on a fast retrieve.

As to the second question, I've found that the wider the body and the wider the bill, the wider and more exaggerated the wobble.  The reverse is also the case.  A flatter sided body and narrower bill will have less wobble.  That's why most commercial flat sided cranks also have narrower bills.

As far as how modifying your bait will affect it, every bait is different.  When I modify a bait, I do it one thing at a time, so I can see what works, and know that I will ruin some bait in the process.  I also use unpainted cheap knockoff blanks to do my experimenting on, so I'm not out a lot of money if they get ruined.

I hope this helps.

 

[bassclass]

On 4/6/2024 at 1:48 PM, mark poulson said:

For your first question, I use two ways to increase buoyancy.

First, I increase buoyancy by drill holes in the top/back of my baits, and gluing discs from aluminum cans over them, to trap air inside and I cover the discs with a thin coat of bondo, so I can sand the bondo down to follow the bait's contours.  When I'm done sanding/shaping, I add a drop or two of runny super glue to strengthen the bondo disc patch area.

Second, I actually use the natural buoyancy of the bait's material, because I use either wood or PVC trim board to make my baits from.  I shape my baits with a V cross section, like the cross section of a battleship, so there is more buoyant material higher in the bait.  That way I can add less ballast and still get a stable bait that is lighter and more active.  Plus that shape keeps the bait from rolling or blowing out on a fast retrieve.

 

 

Can you send a couple pics of what the bait looks like after you make it more buoyant? 

I would also love to see some pics of the pvc baits you've made. That is a neat idea. 

[mark poulson]

Sorry, but all the baits I've made have been painted and finished.

If you look at my gallery photos there are some photos on the first couple of pages of pictures there are some baits I made that haven't been painted yet:

https://www.tackleunderground.com/community/profile/14932-mark-poulson/content/?type=gallery_image

 

[bassclass]

On 4/13/2024 at 10:03 PM, mark poulson said:

If you look at my gallery photos there are some photos on the first couple of pages of pictures there are some baits I made that haven't been painted yet:

 

Thanks for sharing! you've made some pretty cool stuff. You had a picture of a speed trap body that you made from that PVC trim board. There really isn't anywhere near me that has Azek products. Do you know if any of the products major retailers like Menards, Lowes, Home Depot sell are similar buoyancy to that of the product you use? 

[mark poulson]

23 hours ago, bassclass said:

Thanks for sharing! you've made some pretty cool stuff. You had a picture of a speed trap body that you made from that PVC trim board. There really isn't anywhere near me that has Azek products. Do you know if any of the products major retailers like Menards, Lowes, Home Depot sell are similar buoyancy to that of the product you use? 

Sorry, I don't know of any, but I'm sure they're out there.  Most local lumber yards get samples of new products.  See if they'll let you float test those to see which one is most buoyant.  You can do it in a tupperware container full of their water.