cadman

Does anyone know if Netbait sells bulk plastics????

Road Warrior, I didn't want to suggest that he charge for shipping, and really didn't know how to put it down in words without it sounding like he is trying to sell his plastic, which I'm sure this is not the case. Maybe a better way to put it is to state free plastic bait to the first (# of members) that sign-up.

I have used mono all my life, switched over to Power Pro last year and I didn't like it. This year back to big game or XL, and going to try the Yo-zuri first thing.

Just from past experience, you may want to state to the first 10 or so members, and members must pay return shipping or something like that. The reason for this is that you may get 100 + members that will sign up and want free plastic baits. Then you will have to make all of this and pay for all the shipping out of your own pocket. I don't want you to get taken advantage of. Moderators if you don't feel this is right you can delete my post. Turner I would like to test your baits, however I will not get on the water for another 2-3 weeks. Also I will pay for the shipping to my house. If this will work for you, PM me and we will discuss the details. This is just my opinion on this subject.

Rooster, Since Smalljaw replied, he was the person I was going to recommend to you if and when you want to get into airbrushing your weights. He does some incredible jigs and spinnerbaits with his paint process. We all develop a technique that works for each of us. You will develop your own things that work well for you also.

Just a few pointers for a beginner: This would solve half of your problems. #1 Do not use a candle or a lighter. Candles and lighters give off black soot as you have noticed. Neither one of them is a good source for even heat on the initial heat up and then on the re-heat. So either use a heat gun or a propane torch. Both of these will work just fine. Remember that either one of these will melt a jig head if kept too long in the heat. #2 Always fluff your powder paint whether you are dipping or swishing. If you are not using a fluid bed, then you will have to fluff every 2nd or third jig. #3 If you are only applying 2 colors. The first base color should be applied to the entire jig, unless you are trying to apply a lighter color over a darker color. The first color will always give the second color something to grab onto as far as something like a primer. On the second coat always heat through thoroughly, so you can get both paints to cross-link, and you will get a smooth even transition between them both. #4 In applying the second color, the jig with the first color has to be hot. Then either dip it quickly in the powder paint or use a brush to tap on the second color. If you want to use the brush, just keep on tapping more powder until you've covered it all. Once you've done this heat through. #5 You can also apply powder paint via a special airbrush. I am not an expert on this, however if you need a name to ask questions about this . PM me. #6 Finally all of this will take some time. Practice makes perfect, and I'm not talking about 10 minutes a day. So once you put in some time, you will see better results. This should give you a start in powder painting.

I sent you an e-mail

I have never heard of them, so I can't comment on the quality. However I get industrial stock colors of powder paint for $7/lb, so they aren't the cheapest if you are looking for price.

traps and then jigs

Net Bait Paca Craw line-up all the way

Tackle Warehouse, Bass pro

Spinning gear for me as well.

I received your PM and do understand. Let me know when you're ready and if you have any other questions. PM sent.

PM me your phone number, and I will call you tonight and explain it to you better. If I wrote it all down, I would be writing pages and still not cover everything. Talking on the phone will be easier to answer all of your questions.

Now if you want the cheapest alternative, spray paint them with a lacquer paint , air dry and move on that is the cheapest solution. When the paint wears off , dry and re-apply spray paint. If you want a quality finish then I would suggest powder paint. Yes you can start with a 2 oz jar, heat your lead weight, dip in fluffed up powder paint, hang on rack so you can bake the weights for paint durability. I personally use a heat gun to heat my jigs and then a toaster oven to bake them. However, yes you can use a candle, and no you do not have to bake them, however to me this is a waste of time. If you want to do it right then get all the proper equipment to do a thorough job. You can always do a so/so job, but you will get a so/so results. You get out of it only what you put into it. This of course is your call. JMO. Just some safety notes: Do not use your home oven you cook your food in for baking or pre-heating lead jigs. Don't jeopardize your health and anybody elses. Also water has no place with powder paint. The two do not mix. My philosophy is this, do it right or don't do it at all. Not wanting to sound like a jerk, just sayin'.

My nephew has been fishing several ponds and doing really well on red ey shads. He lives in the Carol Stream area. I live in the Mundelein area and I still had ice today on lots of the small ponds. Another week and the ice should be gone. I always start the season with a rattle trap fished very slowly on the bottom, just enough to keep it moving, and I do really well for bass in our local northern ponds. Where are you fishing?

I don't have any BPS reels, but I do have their carbonlite rods the older cork versions and the new black handles, and for the money I love these rods. Never had any break and never had any issues with them. You will like the rod.

I'm late to the party as well and have never used it. It's interesting with all these reports, as I also bought some of this line at Christmas time. I bought the original Yo-zuri in 10 lb for my baitcaster and ultra-soft 8 lb for my spinning reels. I have not used it as yet and am waiting for ice to go off the lakes here. Also bought the KVD line conditioner as suggested by many here on an earlier thread. With all the guys saying so many good things about it on this site, I hope it's as good as stated. I bought the 600 yard spools, where do you guys buy bigger spools and do both lines come in clear? I bought the ultra-soft in mist green.

Hey Christian, those are some beautiful looking baits. Job well done.

Rattle Trap ever so slowly reeled in just enough to keep it moving and dragging bottom.

The tool I have been using for over a decade is called the SkirtMaster skirt tool. It is a 3 pronged tool that expands the rubber collar in 3 different equal ways. One hand operation for the tool and use the other hand to feed the skirt into the rubber collar. Let's see if this lets me post the link http://www.skirtmaster.com/SkirtMasterKit.htm If you guys have problems with the link PM me and I will e-mail you the link Woo hoo it works.

BiteMe73, Yes I have the unltimate skirt tool that works on all strands of skirts. This tool was available in the 80's, then they went to redesign several years ago, I'm sure it is still available as I will check. It is a 3 pronged tool, that when you squeez the two handles, it opens up the rubber skirt collar. As you keep squeezing the handles, you then take the skirt strands taped at one end and stick it into the collar. Roll the collar off the tool onto the skirt and you're done. I have yet to this day not seen anything better for bulkier skirts like I use on a mop jig. I have the older version, but the newer version is actually better. I will post a link and or pics, if they allow me to do that. If not you can PM me and I will give you all the info on this. All the other skirt expanders and such don't hold a candle to this. I've had mine for 15 years, and I make a lot of mop jigs with a lot of the heavier Starflash skirts. Works great, I will post later tonight. PS: Moderators.......can I post a link and pics of this tool. I do not make this tool or am associated with the people that make and sell this product. Please let me know?

blk/blue, green pumpkin candy and watermelon

I bought $300 worth of jig skirts from fishingskirts.com

I use Spik-It and never had any problems catching fish.