Stringjam

I've spent more time on this proto than any of the others to date - - it's really been a good learning experience. I've experimented a lot on the line-tie / lip angle relationship with this one. 3 different line-tie positions 4 different lip angles 3 different lip sizes I've tested every combination of the above (as far as tub testing goes... ;D ) I'm learning that shallow cranks are very complex creatures. Small changes make very big differences, and there are so many different combinations!! It's fun though.....I love it.

The Triple Grips bend too easily. Pick up some Gamakatsu EWG's.......same concept, stronger wire. I love these hooks. Owner Stingers are awesome hooks as well, but I think the Gamakatsu EWG's have the advantage in the "stick and hold" department.

This bait is bigger than a BDS 3......about 3 1/2" long. Semi-round body with a square/coffin bill. I've tried several different lip angle and line-tie configurations for this body. Lots of different actions, but I think I'm still searching for "the one." Here's some test videos: Tight action: Wide action:

Really nice stuff - - my favorite is the last one - dig it!

Mustad Ultra-Lock

Awesome set of cranks, bnw! This one is my favorite - - completely righteous. I think you're really known around here for your skill doing 'gills, but I LOVE your shad-based patterns!

I like the craw pattern

Just a scroll saw, a snap knife, and some sandpaper.

Crankster - - I've actually found just the opposite. By raising the line-tie I've been tightening up the action, and lowering it makes it significantly wider (the last "wide action" video has the tie actually touching the lip). The 3 different actions in the videos are all from 3 different positions of the line-tie. People seem to like the original the best - which is the "center" of the 3 different positions I've tried. I could see myself making the bait in all 3 positions based on what kind of conditions I want to throw the bait in.

Very cool, fishwhittler - - nice effect on the blue underside.

I know....if I could ever actually get to the lake to do some real testing on these that might actually happen!

Those are some really nice looking baits, crankster. Hope to see more of your stuff here!

That's a giant for sure. I don't really like the photo - - the obvious intent was to make the fish look as big as the 150-200 lb. guy behind it. Almost comical. ;D

Big M - he has a new 1/2" bait out I really like. Also the M-Flat. Flat-Shad: Sonny B, Classic PT Richard Manley (e-specialty lures): Luv Plug, Baby Pig, and Pig Dog. Zoom WEC: Z-Flat (coffin), Mutt, and Hicky

Really nice - - that second one from the top is definitely a cool pattern!

Alright - - - here's the variations on a theme. This is more up my alley - - tight, lively action. A slight modification, and now it's a big tail kicker. (sorry about the darkness - I blew a bulb)

Well, my original intention was get out to the lake this week and test my other two protos and get them worked up, but it's too gnarly to get out. Because of the gnar, I've been stuck inside working on more prototypes. This is a flat/round hybrid in the vein of a "Little Petey" style of flat crank (definitely not a copy - - just the overall vibe that you go for with that type of design - - this lure has a pretty sharp taper to the tail, and also a tapered and pointed nose). It's been a real PITA for some reason carving this up and putting it together. Once again, the action is a little wider than I want, so I may work on that. Here's the obligatory tub video.

DT-16 and 20 Poe's Comp Cedars 4400 LC Flat CB20 Imakatsu IK-400

Great job, Cliff!

I'm likin' the color selections, Toledo. Nice looking bait.

Great looking batch of cranks, Toledo! My fav is the 3rd one down on the far left (the DT).

It's what he wanted. I don't really like protruding eyes. I'm a big fan of the 3D eyes, but only if I can mount them at least a little inset. I know some guys use a grinding cylinder to create such an imprint, but the plastic on some of the baits is awfully thin - I'm not sure you could pull that off without going through on a Rogue.

Thanks Z, No foiling. I sprayed a silver metallic base over the back, and then my green mixture candy (transparent) over the metallic. Kind of gives that impression....definitely not as much "chrome" as real foil, though.

This is a Christmas gift for my dad......wanted a greenish gizzard pattern with some red accents and some flash. Had a hard time getting a good photo (sorry for the busy background). Can't really see the shine of the metallic scaling.

Okay - - here's how I see a lot of these posts go down. "Yeah, I've tried them and they seem decent." "Well, I've caught a few fish on them, so I recommend them." "They really look good!" Life's way too short to throw decent baits that catch a few fish and really look good. I would take ONE LC Pointer over a box full of copies that don't have the same action or triggering qualities. Just my opinion - - the point isn't to accumulate masses of crankbaits in every conceivable color.....it's to find yourself a handful of baits that somebody would have to pry from your cold, dead hands.