First Crankbait

[Ripper]

I just finished my first ever crankbait. Came out pretty good. (At least.....I'm proud of it) Ploblem is that it sat perfectly in the water before I finished it with Flex Coat. Now the bait actually sinks. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong? Thanks

[Coley]

Man, I know the feeling. The first crank

I made sank also. Did you test it with

hooks on the first time??

If so, I don't have an answer.

Was it border line on the 1st test??

Maybe someone with more experience will know.

Coley

[Ripper]

I really didn't know exactly how it should sit before the clear coat. It sat pretty low in the water but I just thought that was how it should be. I didn't think that the gel would add that much weight. How should the bait sit before the finish is applied?

[Coley]

I try to make my baits to sit

with about 1/4 of the bait out

of the water.

You don't have to paint or clearcoat

a bait to test it. You do need all

the major components on the bait.

Start by shaping, then add weight

that is accessible (so you can add

or remove), add hooks, split rings,

hooks and lip. Lip should fit snug

enough you don't have to glue it

in for test. Put it in the water and

note how it sits. If 1/3-1/4 of the

lure is out of the water, painting

and clearcoating should not sink

it. If you are worried it will soak up

water, spray it with shellac or krylon

clear. If it is balsa, put the first clear

coat on it.

I just can't see anyway possible for

paint and clearcoat to sink a bait,

unless it was about ready to sink before

it was applied.

Coley

[Skeeter]

Well I already know that the bait is made of hardwood. Lessen the weight by 1/16 oz. and try again. Or make your lures out of balsa, it is much more forgiving.

Skeeter