BIG M

I mix the glitter in with the first clear coat.

Here are a few just finished. Ole Homer and Blueback Herring are all deep runners. Pink Sexy Shad and Ghost Shad are M-flats.

David, those look great.

Thanks for info flechero. Cootertom, I'm not talking about the rod finish, this is the 2 part epoxy for reel seats. I was using a single coat of devcon over my sealer to give a smooth finish for paint. I think this stuff will do nice for that purpose. I still use the rod finish for my top coat. I have not tried the Dick Nite's, 1 part mositure cured products stink to bad to use in the house. I do all my finish work in the kitchen. I will give the threadmaster product a look.

I don't use any rings but I do like a duo-lock snap. That way I can blaze thru my box of cranks till I find the magic. I also feel that the snap gives my baits better action.

That has to be by far the worst job of foiling a bait I've ever seen But a very cool little trick with the front hook.

For the devcon guys, take a look at Flex Coat rod builders epoxy. I just finished the sealer coat on some baits with this stuff. It mixes clear and is water proof. The pot life was 2x longer than devcon and it thins with denatured alcohol. On thinning, the first batch I thinned too much and it likes to run and sag. 2nd batch I cut my thinner in half and it was perfect. I have some baits painted and will top coat those tomorrow and report the results. I opinion right now is I've found my new epoxy.

Get an extendable lure pole and don't worry about the hooks. Now to answer your question, yes I've cut off 1 hook on the belly so it was a double. Use that when I'm cranking in grass and it works very well. I've not noticed a difference with my catch rate. If the grass is thick I'll make the rear hook a double also.

Loc-tite is the epoxy that Wal-marts around here are stocking now. Same with Lowe's and Home Depot. There is not a local retailer in Central Ark. that carries Devcon epoxy.

You are not kidding Barry, sometimes be careful for what you wish for.

I need 10 with matching trailers by this weekend

Test it first before you change anything. To answer your question, the position of the balast weights would be good for a jerk bait.

All laqure based paints put off a smell of some kind. No matter what top coat you use. With that said the best painters in the country are shooting laqures. If a bass could smell a crankbait moving by at top speed we would never catch a fish. Walmart is no longer a distributor of Devcon Epoxy products. I suggest you look at Flex Coat rod building epoxy, has a good pot life, water proof and dries clear. I do not know how quick it's going to yellow. Good luck on finding a new clear coat that was as user friendly as devcon.

The bait looks great, very nice job on carving/sanding. If that's a floating walk the dog style bait, I think your balast weight is to far forward. If it does not work like you want, try moving your balast weight behind the belly hanger. That will keep the head of the bait up above the water. Poplar is a pretty heavy wood for top water but I know Musky guys make baits out of it. I prefer balsa due to the light weight, makes for a very jumpy top water bait. If you seal the balsa correctly you will not have any problems.

Here are some deep running flatsided baits I just finihsed.

Eric, I really like those two color patterns. Very simple the top bait is Payne's Grey scale with irid. blue misted and a black stripe down the back. The 2nd is just a black back fading down to purple. Those colors will flat out catch fish.

Here are a few more in some basic color patterns.

Here are several baits painted in the Sexy pattern.

Very nice looking pattern.

Stamina has some scale netting. Look at dip nets and minnow nets.

I think both baits look great.

All the tail hangers are horizontal and I think it helps to keep the hooks from getting tangled on certain baits. The main reason is I like the way it looks.

Eric, only the bottom bait has iridescent paint on the back. But there is several different pearl colors under and around the purple scales. I really did not like this color when I started painting but now I'm going to paint a few for myself.

You are getting better with the airbrush, all of the baits look great.

A few more just off the drying wheel.