fish'n Jim

Just be careful were you buy your bodies. You invest alot of time in the paint and some of these are not up to standard quality. I have a box of nice ones, that'll crack in half.

Clear nail polish will work good. You can dip in a clear polyurethane. But this will be an in class project, so you probably won't be able to finish in one period. Suggest you let them paint(color), then epoxy yourself, and return to them with the results.

You're pretty much on the right track with the flippin bitsy. I don't bother making this style. Not in much use for me to own molds. The hook size varies with the lure weight. Jig hooks come in Xtra strong also. There are pictures to scale to compare in most tackle catalogues. I don't see a need for a heavier hook on a small bait just because you use braid. Sharper is better than thicker. If you snag it, you're going to lose it or not be able to dislodge it. Maybe why you use so many? You're also more likely to lose fish, because you'll try to hit them too hard and over power them on landing. I prefer a hookeye that is perpendicular to the line, in this style, as they come over cover better. I made them that way before they were available commercially. That's about the only thing I find wrong with that bait. But those type jig hooks are harder to come by or in heavy wire.

I'm going down on easter Mon. I haven't been for 17 years or so, but I know the lake(s), competed over many decades. Spring depends alot on the water level. If the bushes are flooded, then you'll probably want to flip and run spinnerbaits on the edges and in. I expect they'll be bedding or close to it. There's a lot of submerged brush piles that you need to key on at this time. Need good electronics, or knowledge of the locations. You can call one of the local bait shops or lodges. Give the boys at FLW a ring. The spots might be on the sand bars, if there's current. Rattling baits are good for them. Floating worms/flukes are always one thing to try this time of year, if they're a bit finicky. SMB head for the rocks with craw imitators but mostly a LMB bite this time of year.

Holeshot, I reside in Clover SC, just down the road from you. I can probably make your buzzbaits, but need to know what you want, do you have the parts and mold, etc. I make lures for myself. You can email me at fishn.jim2@gmail.com A picture would be a start.