RiverMan Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 I am interested in building a swimbait but don't really want to bother with molding my own soft tail on the back of the lure. I'm curious as to whether anyone has found a material that could simply be cut into the correct shape and used in this manner. Perhaps there is a place where tails can be purchased? Jed V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esoteric Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 I've heard about people using rubber roofing material, butyl pond liner and other similar materials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Nate Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 Jed definitely use a soft plastic tail or a free moving lexan tail!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted May 23, 2007 Report Share Posted May 23, 2007 how about using latex gloves? the gloves for chemical hazard use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollo Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 RiverMan- Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop catalog lists replacement tails for some of the swimbaits they sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawgfish Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I know a guide that fishes wooden swimbaits and the first thing he does is remove the tail that came from the factory and replace it with a 4" soft plastic Fin-S jerkbait. He picked this type of jerkbait because it doesn't have the hook pocket like a Fluke or other comparable baits. The Fin-S comes in several different colors. He just picks one that matches the color of the swimbait and cuts it to the length he needs (which is about 3") and attaches it to the bait. It looks killer in the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal Head Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 If you dont want to pour your own tails then you can just cut the paddle tail off of a regular Fish Trap swimbait. Or you can order some spare tails from swimbait companies to use. For some of my surface baits I have used a thin piece of wood because then it really creates a nice kick and a super wake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskiefool Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 http://www.warco.com/sheet.htm Found this some time back Jed hope it helps looked like they sell large quantity's only though John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhopkins Posted June 1, 2007 Report Share Posted June 1, 2007 this is how i made mine. ziplock freezer bags. i use windows paint program to print the image i want for the tail and fins on tissue paper ( search forum for tissue paper printing ). then i sandwich the image between twp pices of the ziplock bag with contact cement. contact cement is waterproof and will stay flexible. tape the 2 pieces of the bag down on a flat srface ( i use my cutting board ) because otherwise they will curl up and you won't get them apart. brush on the cement on each piece and let it dry well, about 15 minutes or more depending on how thick you put it on. on the image you do the same thing only not too thick, then take up the image and hang it up so it can air dry. after it has dried flip it over and do the other side. ok, now to assemble. carefully place the image on one piece of the ziplock you have taped down and smooth it easily with your finger. now take the other piece of plastic and place it glue side down on the image. again smooth with your finger to push out any air bubbles. i usually start laying the plastic down over the image at one side and smooth as i go. ok, all assembled and ready to go! in my cranks i cut a slot wher i want the tail or fins to go and imbed them in devcon. then you can use a Sharpie fine point marker to add detail. long process but gets nice results. Durability? try to tear a ziplock bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverMan Posted June 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 Hey thanks John, great idea! JRHopkins....beautiful lure, true ingenuity!! Thank you for sharing. jed v. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhopkins Posted June 2, 2007 Report Share Posted June 2, 2007 thanks, lots of fun to make. sure beats watching American Idol:) . have a question for you. cannot figure out how to post photos in the gallery. i don't see any link to it on the web page or i'm just missing it. have some lures i'd like to show. thanks, john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Have you tried the clear plastic lids that come on margarine tubs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feldermannLures Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 thanks, lots of fun to make. sure beats watching American Idol:) . have a question for you. cannot figure out how to post photos in the gallery. i don't see any link to it on the web page or i'm just missing it. have some lures i'd like to show. thanks, john Click on Gallery at the top, about a third of the way from the top is a link to upload your pics, its called "Upload". Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Moreau Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 I know we got off te subject here and i am just a newbie, but all i do is melt down old plastics in the microwave and pour them into a flat metal measuring cup. Then i just cut into the shape i want for the tail. Cheap and easy! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellRAISER Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 hey...i m kind of new here....and i got a question...how do you make the rattlin sound?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted November 4, 2007 Report Share Posted November 4, 2007 Drill a hole, epoxy in worm rattles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HellRAISER Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 i don't fully understand u...you say to drill a hol in the lure put a small ball and then just cover it up with epoxy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Moreau Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 No buy some glass worm rattles and epoxy them in. Go with the biggest rattle you can put in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
