BIG M

John that bait is stunning.

Got a few more painted this weekend and just got these off the drying wheel.

I only build cranks and it's taken me 7yrs to get the point where I can save money building my own. The cost in supplies and equipment doesn't make it a cost saving venture. The feeling of catching fish on a lure you created is priceless.

Nice looking bait

Looks real good Ben

Here are a few new baits fresh off the drying wheel.

I got my little blue gill today and it's a killer looking bait in hand. This man has some serious skills.

You still da man, all those baits rock

I do not think you have to very particular with the colors. Here is how I paint it, Pearl white base coat, silver on shoulders, black or blue scaled over silver, black or blue back stripe, light red on throat, yellow lateral line. I will change that up and use grey scales over silver with an organge throat. Sometimes I use transparent chrome or grey in place of the silver. No right way to paint this pattern imho.

Thanks guys, that was the first big fat bait that I tried foiling. I think it's one of my best. Too bad is going to a skinny guy in Mo. (not you String) Muskyguy, I hand carve/sand and finish all of my baits. That's my fav. part of the build, painting is my least fav part.

A few from the cave.

Maybe the plastic used to make the older baits has better floation.

Striper guys use blades for lips and that bait looks great.

It's heavier than balsa wood, closer to white cedar imho. The right amount of ballast and it will sink, I've made a couple of sinkers with that stuff (not on purpose).

Rob makes a very good high quality bait. He is even a better person to spend time talking with. I've learned a lot about building cranks from that man. I consider him one of the masters.

Even the best name brands turn out duds. You do normally get what you pay for though. I only paint Big M originals, so I'm always working with the best ;D

All of the bait look good but I like the 1st one best. Who made the 1st bait?

I've always said that if I can learn to paint with an airbrush anybody can. Get a good brush and good paint to start. Then it's just a matter of practice to learn how to make you baits look good. I'm never happy with my painting but the baits do catch fish.

Nice looking baits, you have some skills with the brush.

It doesn't need a gill unless you are trying to catch fishermen. The paint looks great as is. Now get the bait wet and be rewarded for your hard work with a fish.

It's a cool idea but I've never understood why all the extra work carving those details on a crank. Good for catching fishermen I guess.

I have to get out of the cave once in a while. Here are a few I've been working on.

Barry, that is really cool. I like the blue gill that you did for your Dad just a little more

If I had a gun, I would shoot that critter

Bob, you are one of the masters and I always enjoy looking at your work. Those 3 are top of line.