Nicely done!

On 6/6/2022 at 7:45 AM, scaleface said:

All on the same bait ? Man, my baits break way before that . After 30 to 40 fish I retire them and start a new one .

 

Three different baits but the first one had 42 fish on it.  As I was leaving I cut it off and gave it to about a 10 year old kid that had been watching me. Would have given him a new one but it was the only one I had with me. Made a couple more of them as spares.

 

Allen 

One pf the new spinnerbaits I setup on a 1/2 ounce Barlows frame. It got me a river pike this year and yesterday on the lake I had 4 pike and a legal walleye on it. I had one big hit that felt like a bass and a few other hits a well. With all the wide willows it probably needs a trailer hook. I really like the wide willows. 
 

It is really satisfying to have a good day on something I made. The bass will come, this lake has a very healthy pike population lol. I did get a small bass on a whopper plopper. 

Is there a lot of yellow perch around? That's what that bait looks like to me. 

 

Allen 

Yeh we have a lot of yellow perch in our waters. I think that is why firetiger cranks are good for us regardless of water clarity. In fact that morning I saw a beautiful 11-13” yellow perch in 2 feet of water. I am getting addicted to those wide willows I first encountered them when someone on here suggested that I try the War Eagle finesse spin. They turn over very nicely. 

 

Another advantage is you cannot usually find that blade combination at the store.  Puts off a different vibration that they have never experienced. 

 

For future baits you should use a hollow metal bead behind the clevis.  Eventually the metal clevis will dig into a plastic bead causing it to stop spinning.  You will probably destroy or lose the bait first but I am suggesting it for better performance and longevity of the bait. 

 

Allen 

Here's my tube cutter.  I cut threads in a hockey puck, and put in a bolt.

 

For the bottom, it's a bunch of razor blades that have holes in them, a bolt, and washers for spacers. All glued to a piece of aluminum scrap. 

More bass spinners

On 6/1/2022 at 3:24 PM, PourMyOwn said:

My first go at tubes. 

That color is killer in my region.

I have been heavy into woodworking over the last 3-4 years. I was sitting in the shop with a lazy attitude and decided to try my hand at carving. I took some scrap cedar to make some square bills. They are drying from a dunk in polyurethane. I am going to do some subtle airbrushing just to highlight the color of the cedar. 

10 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

That color is killer in my region.

It slays em here in NH and Maine too. I'm making hula grubs in it later this week, I'll post some up.

On 6/6/2022 at 1:15 PM, Bankc said:

Will bass eat a 5/8" masonary bit?

 

Yes, they will!

 

I decided to try my hand at making my own soft plastics.  This was my first test run using recycled baits while I finish up my first prototype.  

 

That has to cause some serious line twist .
 

 

 

Here’s a few of the glide baits I painted. I sell most of them and my fishing friends get one on their birthdays

Chatterbaits and safetypin spinners

5/8 oz swim jig.  Testing out my new fluid bed today. 

My first attempt was painting one of my carved cedar blanks (the other one fell and chipped). It turned out “okay”. I decided that I wanted to practice on some cheap blanks. I am pleasantly surprised with the results. I used 30 min epoxy to seal them and couldn’t be happier with the end result. Now, down the rabbit hole I go!

 

 

 

Looks like you are well on your way! Nice work.

Thank you! I found the whole process very therapeutic. 

I'm not 100% on who makes this bait...but it got new paint.

Going for that "Redeye" look...aka Rock Bass.

2 hours ago, spartyon8 said:

Thank you! I found the whole process very therapeutic. 

I understand completely. I'm 45 and have a lifetime's worth of baits already. And I'm just getting started. 

 

I'm hoping to make rods next and then paint cranks. I have a pile of discontinued baits that I love in colors I do not. I'll be asking experts like you for help!

On 7/2/2022 at 2:37 PM, PourMyOwn said:

5/8 oz swim jig.  Testing out my new fluid bed today. 

 

I love that Rootbeer Flake powder paint. Highly versatile color and under rated. 

The fish agree this  one is a winner 

I spent the morning painting four more squarebills. My takes on white crappie (not pictured), black crappie (not pictured), baby bass and chartreuse/yellow black back. The last two are picture. First is after paint. The last two are with a coat of epoxy. Man, a guy can lose track of time doing this!