jbass

Whittler, thanks for the kind words. I didn't take your advice and try it out before I painted it. I'll take it out tomorrow and give her a try.

Well here is the finished product and with a lot of practice I hope to come close to Whittler. Not. It was a learning experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. I learned not to rush the paint. My next project will be to build a drying box. Any way here she is:

Thanks J, since it is my very first crankbait, I feel pretty good about it. I did find the circuit board bills after I epoxied it in. Oh well, there are a lot of things to learn when making lures. I know the next one will be much better. Now the bait has been sealed and I'll probably paint it in the next few days. Not sure what though, maybe firetiger, we'll see. Thanks for the kind words.

Don't forget water makes a great conductor of electricity, they maybe toast.

I've added the belly weight and the hook eyes, line tie, and diving bill and it's ready for paint.

Living in California, near Clear Lake, I'd have to say 11 to 14 lbs. is really big.

I had thought about carving my own crankbaits for awhile, but never really tried. While walking on the beach with my wife I found a piece of pine left over from a campfire and brought it home. It sat in my garage for about 3 weeks and finally I put the knife to it. I first cut off a chunk which was a mistake because it was really hard to hold on to, but with some effort I ended up with a really good shape. I had lumps and bumps also but with a sharp knife, you can remove most of it if you are really careful. From 80 grit sandpaper to 200 sandpaper, it is smooth and equally proportined. All I have to do is install the belly weight, the hook eyes, the slot for the diving bill and paint.

I have a friend I go with when ever possible. I'd call him and find out he didn't want to go and I'd try to go by myself. There were times that I would load the Jeep with gear and just about ready to leave just say, screw it, and not go. Having to unload everything and put it back in the garage, then spend the rest of the weekend wondering what I accomplished. Which was 0, nada. I was down in the dumps. During the week it's impossible to go because I commute an hour and 20 min. one way to work and it's an hour and 40 min. home because of the traffic. I gotta hit the rack around 8:30-9:00 pm. to get up at 4:30 and start the whole process over untill the weekend. I spend one day with my wife and sometimes one day for me. What I did was, I went fishing. When I got on the water it was all worth the effort put out to go. Catching fish was a bonus.

That's how we fished as kids, put a gob of crawlers on cast it out and wait, that's "dead sticking".

I believe there is a tool you can buy to help with the skirts.

I haven't been in "complete dark" in years. I almost forgot what it's like not to be able to see your hand in front of your face. Absolute dark is spooky I guess I should have said fishing only by star light.

Not paying attention to what is going on as far as, what did I do to make the fish bite. STUPID!!

At the jaw you are less likely to touch the gills if you are careful.

Don't be afraid to use a split shot rig. Close to a carolina but mini. A 1/4 ounce split shot crimped on the line about 18 inches above the plastic bait, and lots of smelly jelly.

I agree, gill slit at the jaw. Easier and no puncture wound.

I'm with lubina on this one, I don't want to know. I might find out I'm not spending enough and have to buy more. Although I did pick up two rods and reels last month for $300.

Night fishing is one of the most awesome things you can do. If you fish by yourself as I do, you are alone in the dark (I like to fish on moonless nights) only your senses help you. Once you get aclimated to the dark it isn't bad. I do bring a small light I have on my hat to help with knot ties and releasing fish. There is nothing like a top water explosion in complete darkness. Incredible.

Awhile back I was fishing in on of my clubs tourneys. I had inavertantly left my wallet in my car and didn't have my fishing license or drivers license which was my ID. The game wardens just happened by to check on how things were going and then ask both of us for ID and fishing licenses. I was fined $340 for not having either one. Since the game warden didn't know me or I couldn't prove who I was he said he could confiscate my rods and me, but my partner vouched for me and all was well. I was able to continue to fish but it was a lesson well learned. My wallet never leaves my pocket.

I'm new here so I thought I'd jump right into the fray. I love fishing with carolina rigs. Spring, summer, fall, winter anytime of the year. I use a 3/4 to 1 oz. egg sinker with a glass bead and a larger plastic bead to protect the knot on the swivel. 15 lb Stren High impact for the reel line and 12 lb florocarbon as the 2 1/2 foot to 3 foot leader. I use anything from 4" tubes to brush hogs. I fish points, drop offs and pretty much anything that will hold fish and any where from 2 feet of water to 30 feet. It is a great way to pick up fish. On thing I don't do is try to make the bait hop. I just drag it really slowly the way a crawfish may move on the bottom, but on occasion I'll give it a good yank, like the bait is trying to escape and largemouth and smallmouth alike will kill it. It works for me and I hope you may give my methods a try.