I notice with the slammer type baits, the first section does not have much side to side action. The usual waker uses the square bill. Is there a reason for this? I was thinking of using a triangular bill for the next one and seeing if it gives the first section a bit of swagger. Bad idea?

copy the lip in a bomber long A or a lip shaped like your thumb nail.

I notice with the slammer type baits, the first section does not have much side to side action

I don't think many fish have very much side to side action in the head when swimming...  just the mid and tail sections, kind of like the slammers and other multi-piece baits.  

Can't hurt to experiment, though!

Can't hurt to experiment, though!

took the words right out of my mouth...

it is worth a shot!

try it and report back to us how it works

Depends on the nose shape.  General wake bait gets a short, 85-90 degree bill.

Working now with ones that don't need a bill at all.

LBH, I've found that 78 degrees is the best angle for lips in the wake baits I build.   Don't forget about line tie placement, that is a big factor in performance.    The close to the lip, the more head action from the bait.

LBH, I've found that 78 degrees is the best angle for lips in the wake baits I build. Don't forget about line tie placement, that is a big factor in performance. The close to the lip, the more head action from the bait.

Excellent, thanks.

I'll tell ya, a few key tips and all the testing makes more sense. Last time, Matt explained the "wake bait window", narrowed quite a bit down but was nothing I wasn't already "experiencing" but not "recognizing".

Same goes here. I've been messing with bills alot and there's angle, size, shape, placement,material, yadda yadda.

Each time means more hours with power tools. My insurance company is cringing, they are not digging the lure maker monkey ;D : :-? (safety glasses 8-))

Luckily I'm close but I just realized what the last tweak is on proto 16 which will now become proto 23,lol.