dampeoples

I really think this is a question for you to answer, as I'm not privy to your financial situation. Although, if you can cut your own molds, I think the answer is clear.

Here's some more:

Thanks, you guys are great Yeah, they're from Jann's, can't remember the actual names of them, but that's where they come from. I spend probably 30-45 minutes per bait on the paint, then another 30 minutes on the prep/clear/dressing. It makes it way easier when I do more than one, and as I'm practicing patterns, makes it a lot easier to do different things, and have an instant comparison. I'm pretty comfy with Bass and Bluegill now, gonna work on Perch more, then on to others, but probably all 'fishy' patterns, I have no interest in what I call tournament patterns, or stuff that's not semi-realistic, I paint them, just not as much

Here are some more cranks i've painted recently:

Hello Art Institute Student, the stuff is called plastisol, and in my opinion, ah hell, it's fact. The best plastic is from lurecraft.com, It's about $36/gallon (the more you buy, the cheaper it is), then you'll need some colorant, possibly some glitter, all available at the same place. They even have a starter kit, with two pints of plastic, one each of regular and soft, a sample mold and some colors, etc. Would love to see your baits when you get done, also, be careful remelting old plastics, some have quite a funk to them, and keep colors seperate, unless you like brown.

Hey spiroh, Lurecraft.com as well as staminainc.com has them, and the rattles too, look for mickey mouse collar.

The hot plastic will contract as it cools, so you overfill the mold, and it pulls the excess into the mold. When you demold them, just snip the sprue off, and rock on.

Well, ain't we a bunch of tackle-makers, blaming the end user I think the same thing, though, a lot of guys shakey head fish with 6 or 8lb test, you can't do much but give a little pull with that kind of line.

I make them too, and have never understood the problem with the plastic in the way, if the hook is sharp, there shouldn't be a problem, the worm WILL move!

A good wrap is all you need, the wire wil just add an unnecessary layer to the jig. Properly tied and sealed thread will look better and last just as long as any wire! harshman is correct, though, the key is to not cut the strands with the wire if you go this route For wire, look in the hardware section of your big box mart, I got a roll of fine wire there, and it's lasted over 200 jigs already, getting kind of thin though on the spool

If you are just bending the tip around for the rear blade, get a smaller pair of pliers, and bend it over the jaws. If you're bending straight wires to make a wireform, nail a few nails to a board, and bend around them.

Thanks M! I need to make a supply run, I usually use 400, and all I have left is some 800 now, tough to rough anything up for paint like that

I think Bob makes the closest, and you can eventually save money by pouring your own.

Bob makes a nice mold, always check there first

Got some pre-cut blanks wanting to learn how to make these. Didn't have the tools, so I figured I'd get the part AFTER the shaping down pat until I got some experience with a saw and such. Cutting the lips isn't fun at all, and I need to do a better job at that, as you can see, and the paint was rushed on these, just wanted to get them sealed and wet, so I can see what the lip angles and such would do. Took them, a buddy, and a bunch of kids to a pond, cast a few times from bank before we launched the boat to test one out, second cast netted a fish The rest of the day was just as nice, my 5 year old even caught his first 3 pounder. Either way, they're a bit messy, but they work

Munkin, Table Rock color is generally a chart body, with a purple back, at least on a crank. I think he wants colored, or painted blades, and a skirt and possibly a head to match. I do not have any experience painting blades, and most of the blades I see that are painted are more violet than purple. Perhaps a better question would be does anyone paint blades?

That's me, I'm a shallow to mid-depth crankbait man, no such luck at the deep-uns, but that doesn't stop me from trying!

harsh, those lips are HUGE! I got some thinking the same thing, more of a musky sized bait, I would think. Luremaking.com has them in smaller sizes, but at almost $2/each, quite a price!

Nice looking baits!

Nice! Looks like a cross between a torpedo with a buzzjet body!

Thanks again! This is really fun stuff Gonna hopefully work on a Striper and Crappie pattern soon, but with the weather taking more of a turn to nice, I dunno Oh, and not for sale is not for sale! I don't have most of them now anyway, most I give to my club members, others I trade away. I keep a few to fish with, I tied that flat perch on today, and the meanest 4" bluegill in Roanoke Rapids Lake ate it

Very nice looking baits whittler!

I wouldn't dream of decking a 1432, but I've got a 1436 that's been decked since about an hour after bringing it home in 1998 http://www.thejbfc.com/breslingang.html Never had a scary moment, but it would be nicer if it were wider, in jon boats, the length has nothing to do with the stability when you go changing the center of gravity, it's all in the width.

I have the FHS Elite, and can help you with screen shots! here the first three are from Falls Lake, NC, and I think the others are somewhere out in Tx, using the built-in map. The Navionics chip has more maps, however, most of those maps you can get for free on the Lowrance site.

I can help on the picture, and most of the stuff you're looking for is available at Wal-Mart, like has been said. Have fun!