banjoman

Here's a table I made from a wooden crate, diamond willow, acrylic paint and water-based outdoor varnish.

I bought the book last October. It provides a general overview of all types of tackle but does not delve deeply into some types (crankbaits for example). The chapters on spinners & lead jigs are good...good sections on putting new line guides on a rod and making saltwater trolling lures. The rest of it is not tremendous. In spite of that, I still keep it handy on my reading table!

Merry Christmas to all from FREEZING COLD Manitoba!

Bob Try googleing "knife making supplies" for example http://www.alphaknifesupply.com/micarta.htm

Hi alsworms A long time ago, I added various compunds (baking soda, salt, etc.) to a tank containing a yellow perch. I was amazed by the color change each compound created. All were in the yellow-green range though. You can't make a perch turn purple ! It makes sense since they have to maintain a basic color scheme and pattern for their camoflage.

From my experience, it's the type of water they inhabit: flowing dystrophic ("tea-stain" waters from marshes) produces a lot of blue crayfish. The same species in a mesotrophic lake will be reddish-orange.

...and here is a blue crayfish !

Jed Try one of those scrubbing net pouffies that ladies use with body wash. Some of them are made of very small mesh.

Many thanks Jigmaker. I'll get a bunch of those this fall and try them out in Feb. Looks like they would work better (and easier) than egg sinkers. I really appreciate the good help I get on this board. Thanks to everyone!

Thanks Jigmaker. Is the following O.K.? I slide an egg sinker on the shock leader, then tie on a swivel, then a 18-24" leader and then attach the banana jig.

I'll be on Banderas Bay (by Puerto Vallarta), Punta de Mita and up the coast to Rincon de Guayabitos in February. I'm already practising casts with my surf rod in Winnipeg but I get a lot of very peculiar looks from the passers-by. I fished 17 out of 21 days there last year. I caught some small sierra, a flounder, puffers and a needlefish of all things! I fished at night a few times. At least I know how to get to the good spots this year. I use the highway bus for all my daily fishing excursions down there. Too bad we couldn't get together - I'm sure I would learn a lot about surf fishing from you.

Thanks LedHed. My problem with most of the saltwater hooks is that they are too large. Last year, after surf fishing in Mexico for a few days and catching nothing, I went to 3 local fish markets to see what the gillnetters were bringing in...all small (12-14") fish of about 8 species. My hooks were all too big. I'm going to try making some banana jigs with my Lil Mac molds (hooks 1/0,2/0,3/0). I can get tinned seaguard hooks for these but I will have to add extra weight for casting.

Hi I was trying to find some saltwater eagle claw 570s or 575s and discovered another nickel plated hook that is apparently OK for saltwater. I'm just checking to see if I have this right: Tinned seaguard, nickel and stainless steel are OK for saltwater. Bronze is NOT OK for saltwater. I'm wondering if I can use a casting jig with a bronze hook for 1-3 weeks of saltwater fishing (rinsing it every day with fresh water) and then write it off? That way, if a fish gets hooked and breaks away, the hook will quickly rust out of it and I won't have to worry about finding saltwater hooks for my jig mold. Thanks for your consideration.

Thanks Brent. I really appreciate your help! While I'm waiting to import the Flex Coat Lite, I'll make the rod roller with the BBQ motor from my lure spinner.

I have removed the casting guides and wrapped on the spinning guides. I have covered the thread with color preserver. What goes over the color preserver? Can I use the 2 part epoxy that is used to topcoat jigheads? Sorry for the newbie question but I want this project to turn out since I spent a lot of money for those new guides. Thanks! I appreciate any input!