Fishwhittler

I'm working on some baitfish patterns. This is my attempt at bluegill, but I can't decide if I should add a blurred sharpie gill like in the second pic. What do you think? Ben

I'm not sure, but I think it's basswood. I had it laying around and I wasn't doing anything with it so I figured I'd use it for swimbaits.

Thanks guys. Wild Bill, I used twisted-wire hook hangers and joints. I used galvanized wire on the big one and stainless wire on the small one. The galvanized wire is cheaper than the stainless but the stainless is a bit tougher and harder to scratch. I'm going to keep both of these or I would have used stainless wire on both.

Here's a couple new swimbaits I'm working on. The big one sinks and has a very snake-like action. The little one is a floater (I wanted it to be a sinker but I didn't add enough weight) and has a very wide action. Let me know what you think. Ben

Thanks! I used Rust-Oleum Stops Rust spray-paint.

Thanks all you guys for your kind words. I've got a couple more nearly ready for topcoat and I'll post pics when they're done.

Krylon is a spray paint brand. I especially like their "X-metals" paint; you can get some really cool effects with them. 8-)

Good lookin' baits there. 8-)

Interesting effect on the top baits. Now if you did an entire bait like that...

Real nice baits Big M! Those yellow ones are awesome. 8-)

Good looking baits!

Rubber skirt material.

One of three that I'm making on request. It's the same size as the other one I did but this time I used 3/4" instead of 1" wood. Let me know what you think.

I just clamp the lexan in a vise at the point I want it to bend and bend it by hand.

Here's a couple more cranks. One is my attempt at copying the DT body style. The top one is 3 1/2" long and the bottom one is 3".

Here's what I use: http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=402. Actually most of the time I don't use primer; I just scuff-sand the bait and paint it. I do use primer under fluorescent paint.

Thanks guys. I'm not sure, but it will probably run 24-30'.

7 1/2" minnowbait and 3" crankbait. There's a lot of green glitter on the minnowbait's head but it's hard to tell from the pics. There's also chartreuse crackle on the minnow's belly. Thanks for looking. Ben

The shine on those foiled ones is something else! Love the deep divers, especially the bottom two. 8-)

It's not top-coated yet, but I like the way it's turning out. I was originally aiming for something similar to bnwcrankin's black craw pattern, but one mistake led to another and I ended up with this. Let me know what you think. Ben

I have to agree with SkilletSizeBass, can't pick a favorite. Great work! 8-)

I finally got it to float by removing one of the 1/4 oz. sinkers I planted in the nose (there were originally two). Next step is painting and finishing.

The new fins look awesome. The realism of your baits is amazing. 8-) BTW do you mold your baits?

Real nice baits there Big M. 8-)

Awesome baits! I like 1, 6, 8 and 19. 8-)