madbass

It's been 4-5 years since I bought my last spinning reels. Havn't kept up on top choices. What reel/s would you reccomend for overall quality and maintaining smoothness over several years? Need to stay under $80 each. thanks.

Well, I have to confess... it's an aluminum Machette prop that I painted to look like carbon fiber. I just wanted to see if it looked real to anyone-I guess so. This was just my test piece . I thought it turned out pretty decent.

Whatcha think?

On most of the threads that discuss drop shot hooks, the Stand Out hook doesn't seem to have many fans. Is there a reason/problem with the hooks why they dont seem too popular?

I have an 82lb. MG TM. What is your opinion of putting an aluminum Machette prop on there? I currently use the 3 blade nylon prop. My concern is that the alum. prop weighs twice as much (6oz. vs 12oz.). Is that extra weight going to bog down or put too much stress on the motor?

I agree. I recorded it too. Tommy Sanders did a good job narrating as usual. Nice representation.

I'm looking for a picture of a certain color pattern on a jerkbait/crank. I don't know who made it-possibly smithwick, heddon, rapala etc. It was described to me as having either a dark red or purple back, red splotches on the sides and the base color on the sides is unknown-possibly pearl or pinkish. Any help appreciated.

I actually like the subtlety of the light blue on the first one. Looks natural.

Started using the Daichi Stand-out hook last year. I really like them so far. N0. 1

lurecraft.com northern bass supply another site

Sent e-mail. I do custom painting and re-painting. I'm willing to cut deals with BR members if they are interested in having unique paint jobs done for themself. If you can dream it, I can paint it. Pics available.

I checked out that site but didn't find it there. Still looking.

Someone asked me to paint a certain discontinued scheme on a bait for them and described it as follows. He thinks that Smithwick used to make it. The back is reddish purple that fades down the sides to a light color belly and the sides have intermittent red splotches down the length of the bait. Does anyone know of this pattern or where I might find a picture of it?

This guy has his friends bid up the price! Click on the bid history (number of bids). Notice anything funny about ALL of the bids? You can't tell me that's coincidence! Jack up the price and hope a sucker jumps in!

If you could choose only 2 color/patterns for your cranks (lipped or lipless) what would they be? Feel free to even make up your own color combination.

If you are still looking for a compressor, my dad got a 2 gallon from Menards. It is an Alton brand. He says it is pretty quiet. Mine is Tool Shop brand and it is also pretty quiet. Both in the $60-$80 range. Good luck.

Liquitex also makes it. I have only used the Golden. Just do a Google search for airbrush mediums.

Createx and Wildlife are good choices, but also check out Golden brand airbrush paints. If you want to practice with craft paint that's ok, but it is not as good as airbrush paint. Also, whatever paint you decide to use on your baits, do not thin it with water or windex. It degrades the integrity of the paint. Use an airbrush "medium" such as Golden airbrush medium. Golden and Createx are sold by Merriartist. I've found their prices and customer service to be very good.

Steve, Menards has a Campbell Hausfeld 2 gallon oil-less compressor for about $65. I have one very similar that I've been using for a year now. No complaints. Don't forget to add a water seperator. I also put on a manifold that splits to 3 air fittings and added quick connect couplers for convenience. To reduce the motor noise a little, I put it under my work bench and hung old blankets around the front and sides but left the regulator and gauge stick out. I left some room around the compressor to allow it to breathe so it doesn't over-heat. Good luck!

This is a tactic used by some unscrupulous sellers on ebay. He has friends bid up his baits just to try to impress someone or sucker someone in to bid. Look at the bidders on most of his auctions-they are many repeat bidders. Like someone else on here said, you can just buy his baits much cheaper. They are nice paint jobs, but not that much better than most on there. Well, I may as well just admit it, I also custom paint and post some on ebay. Most of my stuff is special request and repeat business. It's a hobby that I love to do. Not one that I'm competing in. Here is one of mine..

I custom paint cranks and I looked at several pics and live samples of Alewife. The back color varies from grayish/greeen to dark brown depending on location. The sides are shimmering silver fading to white on the belly. Here is a pic.

Make some of your own edges or holes by running your big motor through the salad. Then come back later or next couple days and fish "your" openings.

Anybody use this in the weedless version? Which size? I want to try some spoon fishing, but with all the weeds in our natural lakes I need a weedless spoon. Any other suggestions?

Smelly jelly liquid has seemed to work well for me.