I've been tuning on these baits for awhile and finished up another set yesterday. I've been tinkering for about 2 years now trying to learn the process and get something I like. I'm happy with how they turned out but still more improvements to be made.

Look great to me.

 

Allen

they look great.love the finish.

Adding one I just finished up.

On 5/28/2022 at 5:15 PM, basscatcher8 said:

Adding one I just finished up.

 

Maybe you can answer a question I have always had about these type of baits.  Why do you cut the lip slots after painting? I feel that the epoxying the bill in before its painted would make it stronger. 

 

Allen 

Those look really nice. How do they run?

On 8/11/2022 at 9:56 PM, Munkin said:

 

Maybe you can answer a question I have always had about these type of baits.  Why do you cut the lip slots after painting? I feel that the epoxying the bill in before its painted would make it stronger. 

 

Allen 

I can't speak for everybody...but I cut the lip slot right after I cut out the outline from the blank.

This is when the sides are still flat and I can get a square cut.

On 8/11/2022 at 9:56 PM, Munkin said:

 

Maybe you can answer a question I have always had about these type of baits.  Why do you cut the lip slots after painting? I feel that the epoxying the bill in before its painted would make it stronger. 

 

Allen 

 

Wow I'm only a few months late lol I don't get to this site as much as I use to.

 

I just think it looks cleaner. It still has the last coat of epoxy over top of it to seal it all in and everything. I also like painting without the bill in the way. 

 

But to your point there are plenty of guys who do it that way with the bill installed before painting. All of Marty's baits are like that and he turns out some real gems. I don't know if he posts much on here anymore or not.

On 8/12/2022 at 8:05 AM, BassHRL119 said:

Those look really nice. How do they run?

 

Well since these I added a little bit more weight with the same body and the added weight really made them come alive. They got a bit of a "hunt" action to them in that they make an erratic move every few turns of the reel handle.