i get a kick out of some of the guys wanting to make and paint cranks.   please dont get me wrong and would like anyone to get the pleasure of making a crank and painting it then catching a fish with it  BUT

there are so many thing that go into making a great bait that preformes well and also looks good  ask anyone that has made cranks "that work" how much work there is in making a fishable crank.

the correct bill, in length width. thickness, also the angle. then the eyes. then putting the correct belly weight size, where to put weight  then the hook wires . so they dont pull out  made so its balanced correct  has the kind of wiggle you want.   finding the correct wood. and i could go on for a week about making a  (good crank)  its not just painting a  bait  that is the easiest part.  some of use are fair painters and there are some outstanding painters as big m  just ask big m how many cranks he has in his scrap pile  it is a advicted habit but a rewarding habit to make the perfect crank

Thats why we read this Fourm to learn from great guys like you and Big M

Kb,

I agree fully!!!

Any "true" builder will have many so-so designs that are trashed. If one wants so-so, then they sell them all day at Wally World. I have personally trashed my share as well.

In the beginning, I would have probably 20-30% of my cranks that were not flops. Design ten, and only 2 swim the way that I was looking for. That was pretty disheartening. Over time, that changed to where now 6 or 7 out of 10 new designs swim the way I want.

There is a huge learning curve that only comes for testing many lures. It involves line tie size and location also. What will happen if I chest weight this lure with an extra 1/4 oz? How much depth will I gain? How much wiggle will be lost? What happens if I use a square bill instead of a round bill in the same length?

Then my favorite. Why does this one lure out catch 4:1 over any other that is made in the same shape, weight, wood, and lip. What makes this lure hunt? That is when it really gets interesting.

Eric

I've been building baits now for a little over 6yrs and I've got 4 copy paper boxes full of carved bodies that are bad designs, poor carving, and other numerous foul ups.    I have no idea how many I've thrown away on top of those.

I got lucky on the first bait I built and it had a nice little hunting action.   I caught 47 bass on that bait the first spring and it went very down hill from there for a while.

I work on my deep diving baits for hrs on end getting the balance, action, and target depth I wanted.    You have to be crazy to want to take this hobby on.   It takes me approx 3-5 hrs to build a single bait depending on the body style.

I will help anybody who wants to get started but be prepared to put in some long hrs with lots of failures.

I've already tried my hand at it and I think I'll leave the building to you BIG! I guess if you get it down it's a little easier but I spent about a week trying to make my 3 joint golden shiner just right only to find out when I actually used it that the joint's sounded like someone smacking metal together...! lol. You do make some killer cranks though. Keep um' coming... I'll stick with the painting for now...

Just thought I would give a visual example of what everyone was saying.  This is just a few days of work that only shows some of the slop and mess ups that occured.  I agree the painting is the easy part.

Good read there Ken, pretty much nailed it. The problem with most new builders that I see is they want to build a lot of different baits before they make one that works well. Most always ask the question, whats the fastest way or whats the best in paint or materials, that question can only be answered with experience, trial and error. What works for me may not work with you. If the new builders would just say what tools they have to start it would be a big help in answering their questions.

Realizing this is why I put a pause on putting anything new together.  Ice on the pond means I cant see it swim' I have a bunch of different lip, weight, position models to look at once the ice disappears.  Figure I better stop building stuff that might not look anything like I want it to in the water.

this has been a  great subject  to talk about and when you here guys like the ones  on the above messages  you can tell those guys care about getting it done the correct way.  not just making baits to sell but trying to make the best.  when you take the houres and material to make a bait and some one asks $20.00 or $30.00 for a bait  there not making much money a hour just the pleasure of seeing how good  a person can make a great bait   there are some great bait makers on this site kb

I agree.  Making cranks is an art.  I tried a couple and they were garbage.  Haven't tried since and they sit on shelf in plain view as a reminder in case I get the idea to start more.

I have decided that instead of making nice cranks I will just be an admirer of those who do.

Eddie