I ran into an unforeseen problem last night.  I finally went to walmart and bought a couple of minnow nets to create a scale pattern on a few cranks.  However, when I put it around the bait and shot it...the paint would smear when I pulled off the netting.  Do you hold it and let it dry for a minute before you take it off or what?

You need to heat set the paint.   Get a hairdryer high heat with low air and dry each coat of paint.   That will take care of the problem.

Marty has the right advice on painting sacles.

When you go to Walmart instesd of paying $1.50 for a minnow net go to the fabrics dept. and get a square yard of veil material for the same price. The veil also comes in several sizes, plus some of the lace can also give you some very different finishes.

Good tip!

Some of that veil Mesh material likes to bleed through so When your shopping at the fabric store You might want to pick up a few differnt types. I've been using a Shower Curtain I got from Ikea that is made from a mesh material that works really nice if you like smaller scales

There is also a product called tule (sp) that I use 90% of the time.    Get several different sized wood sewing hoops and you are set.   Place the materail in the hoop a little loose and you'll be able to hold it tight to the bait.    Shoot the scale pattern with several passes using less paint.   Build up the scales and you won't have a problem with smears.