BIG M

Thanks guys, I have foiled baits in the past but was never happy with the results. Thanks to my buddy Rob Cochran, I'm happy with these results. Still room for improvement as you will see in the next batch. Foiling baits is not that hard but very time consuming as it adds several more steps to the build. You do have to watch your ballast weight because the foil and extra coats of clear will add some weight to the bait.

The baits in the first pic are 3/8 and weigh 1/4oz. I'm playing with the foil again and this batch was not too bad. Pic number 2 and 3 are baits I came up with to use my left over wood. 1 is a wiggle wart clone that's 2 inches long.

I think Bob will agree with this. Devcon 2ton is the simplest product to use for newbie getting his feet wet.

I can be used for all the above. When used for a sealer I like to thin it will some denatured alcohol so it soaks in the wood better. Prefer the 5min for installing my hardware.

Mike, it's high time you start using those painting skills on some balsa cranks

I bleed balsa dust and on occassion white cedar.

Welcome to the dark side. Can we get an e-tes vs devcon debat going. I just felt a tear thinking about those old threads.

That looks very nice indeed.

You can build a rod for under a 100 bucks. Go to the sites listed and look for kits. I was able to build 2 spinning rods for about 70.00 per kit. I just followed the directions that came with the kit. I did make a home made wrapping station out of cardboard and it worked. My rods are plain with simple wraps but both have worked well for me over the past 4 yrs.

I suggest after reading on TU and here that you pick 1 style of crankbait (shallow running flat sided bait) and learn from that particular bait. You still have to figure out what material you will use (wood or man made). Pick a bait like the Bomber flat A and try to copy that bait's body style and action. You will also need to get a list of supplies. I think there are a couple of how to's in the article section here.

Mike, great job on all those baits. I would fish with each and every one. I now have to hate you because you paint better than me ;D

From the video that bait looks to have a lot more tail kick than the charlie by Marty bait ;D Take 1 of my no name cranks and do a little side by side test between those 2. Watching your bait reminds me of the no name crank. Just wait till you catch a fish on one of those you've made.

Bob, don't give him any new ideas ( he loves foamies). Balsa wood all the way for me.

The water doesn't get that cold down here. Sounds like I need to start work on a new project for you John.

very nice, I like both baits.

You have been bitten by the bug and bad. You do realize there is no known cure for this sickness. It never stops, you will never be satisfied, always looking for the next great design. By the way the bait looks really good. Just to tease you a touch, I have several new baits to be revealed in the next month. Cold water specials and you will want at least 1 of each ;D

Thanks guys, I was shooting for a twisted hot mustard on the top bait. I think light chocolate brown scales would have looked better than the redish brown.

Ben, I've not heard any builders talking about that one. I've looked at the product and may give it try down the road.

A pair of straight angle tin snips, the finish the edges with a file.

Yes the wood has to be sealed before painting or you will get bubbles in the paint. You can use thinned epoxy, polyurathane, super glue, and a host of other products.

I found a little warmth in the cave and was able to knock out another small batch of cranks. The bluegills are much lighter in hand, the pics are bad.

I've not found a try chartreuse color, I use c-tex flo yellow over pearl white. I've also mixed flo yellow and flo green to make chartreuse that to me is closer to the original color.

Jon, that' not that strange of an idea. I use little tungsten balls made for pine wood derby cars in my small baits to get the weight up. I never even thought about tungsten shot, 30 bucks for a pound is not bad. You could do a coat of epoxy on the bait to help hide the weight.

Those are very good and should sell easy.

You could drill a 5/16 hole and use either a 3/8 or 1/2oz weight cut down to the right weight. That's how I keep the weight low in my bigger round body baits. Have you thought about letting the weight stick out of the bait about 1/8 or 3/16, lower the weight just a little more that way.