I recently won a bunch of old Cordell Spots on EBay and when I got them I realized that I inherited an abandoned mod project. The guy drilled holes, dumped the BB's out, never patched the holes and stopped there.

 

I wanted to put some BB's back in and seal the hole, but I'm not sure how many BB's normally go into these things. I have 2 1/2 and 3 inch Spots and thought that I could add enough BB's til the 2 1/2 inchers come up to 1/4 oz and the 3 inchers come up to a half oz, but that is a lot of BB's and I'm also not sure if I would have the hooks on them when I weigh them.

 

I realize I should just buy new ones, but now I feel married to the idea of getting these things up and running again.

 

Any help would be appreciated

They have two separate sections inside; larger "BB's" in the nose section and smaller ones in the body.  I don't know how the total weight is divided between the two compartments but I bet it matters.  Probably best to crack a whole one open in a vice and weigh the guts to find out before you tackle refilling all of them on your best guess. Cost you three bucks max!

Jolly Green is correct, you have 2 "cavities": 3 larger BB's go in the front which comprises of pretty much all the weight giving the lure a nose down attitude and 5-7 smaller ones in the middle cavity pretty much making up the rattle component. The weight in the middle is pretty much negligible. This is where you can experiment and have fun with different sizes, quantity and material make-up of the BB. Here's a Cordell I cut in half. I used it to learn mold making for plastic lure builds:

Here's my mold and Spot replica pieces

Assembled and painted (I'm not a good painter...LOL)

Thanks a lot! Since they all have the front BB's still, I'm gonna leave the backs empty and seal them up as is. I figure I'll keep them for clear water since I read in a few other forums that the rattlers in the back tend to spook the fish in clear water conditions.

Depending on the age they would have different components. The ones produced in the early 80's I believe had either a different size/number or material BB in them since they had a different sound than the newer ones. Also, the one jigfishin shows in his post is not a true Cordell Super Spot either. It's one of the Cordell value series that is made to be sold in bargain bins. 

send customer service an e mail and ask for help!!

Depending on the age they would have different components. The ones produced in the early 80's I believe had either a different size/number or material BB in them since they had a different sound than the newer ones. Also, the one jigfishin shows in his post is not a true Cordell Super Spot either. It's one of the Cordell value series that is made to be sold in bargain bins. 

You may be right about the lure I used, I don't know nor do I give a r@t$ @$$, I used that pic to show the OP what was inside.

If you dont add the rear BB's at all it will be too light and different action. You would need a weight substitute glued in.

Jak,

 

TheSmilingSwordsman posted a link "How Rat-L-Traps Are Make (video).  I have no idea how to put the link on here, but it is on page two of this (fishing tackle) forum.

 

You can watch the BB's being put in the lure and count them.  The two lures are close enough that this might help you.

I would try some lead shot in the back of the bait. Should be a much duller sound than other baits, which would still be good for your clear water applications. 

You may be right about the lure I used, I don't know nor do I give a r@t$ @$$, I used that pic to show the OP what was inside.

No doubt, and it gives him a great idea. I was just letting OP know that what was inside yours may differ than what was originally inside the baits he had. 

No doubt, and it gives him a great idea. I was just letting OP know that what was inside yours may differ than what was originally inside the baits he had. 

Gotcha, I think I read your post wrong, my apologies

Gotcha, I think I read your post wrong, my apologies

It's all good man!