BIG M

John, those divers will run 24-26ft on 20/6 braid. Might get 28ft on 10/2. I thought you would like those Eric. Those baits are easier on your wrists and arms than a DD22. I've worked my tail off trying to get a deep diver to 25ft and not pull your arms out of the sockets. Those baits are 7 inch from tip of the lip to tail of the bait and weight is just over 1oz. Glad everyone likes them, there's more coming in the weeks ahead.

Ask the same question in the tackle making forum and you will get some hits. Thad does very nice work by the way.

I've been pretty busy lately but this is some of the finished work.

you can get little paint brushes from Stamina called eye dotters. these are foam and work like a q-tip.

great looking paint on both baits.

I don't have a fav but I like em all.

Where's mine I still suck at fishing jigs but still trying to learn.

I think the pattern looks as is but if you want something extra. Try spraying some iridescent gold scales over the light green followed by the darker colors.

David there are always a few baits laying around for you

Yes the magic rattle is still ours but I need another lesson on the line tie

Muddy, I remember what we were talking about now. Don't go to the Darkside, wood rules

No chrome paints that don't cost an arm and leg. there are some automotive paints that look pretty good.

You will have to be careful when weighting the bait. Hardwood dowells won't need much balast weight. Get a good x-acto wood carving knife, it will make the job a lot easier.

You don't know what shallow water looks like ;D

David, no more baits for you. You made it to easy, he would have figured it out. Cooter, that is how I make my eyes and I got the idea from stick on eyes you can get from Jann's. I have a source to free vinyl and gave it a try. If you look close at the edges of the eyes on my baits you where the punch tears the vinyl in places.

Eric, all I can say is nice. I've done a couple of spinning rod kits but nothing like that. Here I thought you only build great cranks.

Drill bits work well, the trick is to get the right amount of paint on end of the bit. Wipe the bit off before dotting the next eye.

I make my line ties in two different ways. I use 2 inch x 1/16 inch stainless steel cotter pins or 20ga stainless wire. Measure the lip length from the nose of the bait, mark the halfway point, at that point find the center. Drill a 1/16 inch hole and the cotter pin will fit nice and snug in that hole. If the line tie is off center the least little bit, then the bait will not run true.

John, it was my pleasure to send those baits to your kids. I also knew I had to throw one/two in for dad and mom. Couldn't have you playing with the kid's toys. It won't be long and you will be turning those out for yourself.

I would suggest that you figure out what you really would like to build first. It takes a lot of time to master each skill. There is also a considerable investment in tools and supplies for each form of tackle. I can help you in the crankbait dept.

This color pattern has been painted in different versions for over 20yrs. It wasn't until Bass tournys were on ESPN that everybody noticed. It's a good color pattern and KVD happened to be the guy wearing the fish out with it.

Here are a few new baits I just finished

skitter pop is made out of balsa but I'm pretty sure the skitter walk is made of plastic.

One of the best Threadfin patterns I've seen. I'll be sending some flatsides for a coating of that color

Thad, that is a better looking bluegill pattern.