Leaderboard

I use 3 coats dipping it. I do use an airbrush to blow out the build up on the bottom eye and put a hanger in the eye for it to drip off of. I wait about 2 hours between coats. In the winter it takes much longer for it to cure.

When I dip KBS I blow out the hook hangers with a airbrush, if they fill I blow them till they stop filling drip drying is the way I do it. Wayne

multiple coats should be applied within 1-2hrs to become one together.

Curt-RI I appreciate your response with consideration to “perceived performance” and I definitely agree with the difficulty in it. Maybe an easier way to describe this is to imagine yourself, as a professional fisherman, with all of these lure and fly pics at your disposal prior to a tournament with a wonderful cash prize. If you only had a handful to pick for the tournament, which ones would you pick, and ask yourself why? Therein lies the “perceived performance” criteria. If you already incorporate that into your decision-making, why not make that a category of that criteria. I also understand that this may be getting too involved with the general fun intended for the contest and to keep it more simply as the coolest “looking” lure contest. That is certainly ok (cool) also. Thanks so much for taking the time. You guys/gals are great in doing this. I certainly did not mean any ill criticism, just wanted to create more thought in the matter since we are all wanting to contribute thought-provoking conversation and ideas through this contest. All my best.

I have made prototypes of lead heads and made molds using Durhams water putty . Its kind of like Plaster of paris but withstand the heat of molten lead better but breaks down little by little with each bait you cast . You can make a head of roughly the size and shape you want poured in lead using a 2 part Durham mold and then put features in by filing the lead (such as gills for example or eye sockets ) before making the master vulcanized mold after you are happy with your design . One word of caution about the Durhams water putty though . You have to make sure the mold halves are completely dry before attempting to pour hot lead into them or molten lead will shoot back at you thru the sprue hold .

Now there is a boy with heart!

There is some real talent around that is for sure. Sadly most fishermen have no idea at what exists outside of the mass produced lures Now if only we can have more of theses guys join into the forum and share some secrets

@Brian7394 Thanks for the suggestion. In reality, without seeing video of each lure, it is extremely difficult to judge this aspect of any lure without actually fishing with it or having it available to test personally. With lots of years of experience, though, looking for certain qualities and design features of a lure, most of this can be judged without ever seeing a lure in action. So, in reality, this is already being taken into consideration. It was part of what I personally used to judge some of the baits. And I know that the people who helped me do the judging also looked at this. Thanks again.

I am amazed at the talent of these submittals, especially the painting category. Congrats to all of the winners. You should be proud.

Tell your boy if he comes and picks them up he can have my entry’s congrats to the winners. I am seeing a trend in hard baits the judges seem to like swimbaits and jointed wake baits

Congratulations to all, extremely good talent!!!!

Hello, My name is Gonzalo, I'm from Argentina and this is my first post, I hope don't break any rule with my post. This is my first rat lure...walk the dog stile with one knocker rattling. Is made in 2 parts of Poplar wood and harden with epoxi adhesive dilute in thinner and apply by paintbrush I hope you like it!!

Awesome! Thanks.....

Congrats to all. Wow.....some SERIOUS talent!!