A couple months ago I decided to try my hand at photo finishing crankbaits. For those that don't know, it's a process of adhering a photographic image to a bait.  I just completed a few and I am pretty happy with them.  All of these baits have a bluegill image on a plastic crankbait body.  These are now ready for some on-the-water testing.

This is a small lipless crank:

Here is a slightly larger lipless crank:

This is a 2 1/2 inch crankbait:

If all goes well, I hope to make a bunch of these over the winter and maybe experiment with some other images and baits as well.

Best photo-finish job I have ever seen.  Great work!!

You did a fantastic job!!!!!!!

very nice!

Posted by: Jimzee

Reply #1 - Today at 11:23am     Best photo-finish job I have ever seen.  Great work!!

X2

I give your baits an craftmanship ***** (5 stars)

when can I order 1-2 from you?

memo

Those look awesome!

How do you do that?

Incredible.

To be honest most of the photofinish baits I have seen just look like a picture on a plank, rough texture and washboard seams, but these are the top of the class. Just outstanding workmanship, you have got to be the photofinish champ.

Those are outstanding. Can you explain the process? Will you sell me a couple?

Thank you everyone for the compliments. It's actually a very simple process, but making them look good is not easy.  This technique has been around for a while and is still evolving. I took a tutorial that someone wrote on the process, combined that with some things that I read elsewhere and added a few ideas of my own.

That said, here is the process in a nutshell:

- I traced the blank crankbait and scanned it into the compuer.

- In photoshop I created a guide using the scanned image and tweaked the bluegill photo to "fit" the shape of the bait better. I added the orange belly and some details in photoshop.  

- I printed the image on my regular printer on to full sheets of sticker paper

- I adhered the image to the plastic bait (this took some practice to get it smooth)

- stick on eyes

- I covered the bait with several clear protective coats

- split rings and hooks

Very Cool, thanks for the info. Seriously though are you willing to sell me a couple?

Those are the best photo finished baits I've seen.  I really like that bluegill pattern as well.  

I gotta echo the_natural and jimzee. That finish is simply superb. I'd definitely buy one!

Thanks for all the kind words, I appreciate it!

I have only made a few so far, so I don't have any to sell. I am hoping to test these, make any necessary corrections and produce a larger batch to sell over the winter.  I will be sure to let you all know when that happens.

There are no words, but WOW!!!

great job on those baits.   That is one trick I have never learned to master.   Very detailed process just to get the pic to fit the bait.   You have it down.  

WOW

Very Cool, thanks for the info. Seriously though are you willing to sell me a couple?

I don't have any to sell yet. If all goes well I'll have a batch to sell this winter and I'll let you know.

They look fantastic! would definitely be interested in buying some when available.

Thems perty!!!! :) I want some???????

Those are the best I've seen anywhere!! Us guys down south would be happy to try them out for you and give you feedback on them ;D.