go4bas

Anyone Know if Mango Fishing is out of business? I have been screwed out of an eye order. Anyone know where I can buy good quality asymetric 3D eyes in the United States similar to them? I have products using them and need eyes FAST! Please help if you can. email me at: basscraftcranks@live.com Thanks in advance!!

Hey guys...what is all this about PVC? I thought I knew it all (...Just kidding, I will never know it all. Seriously, what is PVC? I use wood now and would like to understand the process you all are doing with it. Please direct me to a post you think will explain this better for me. go4bas

HERE IS THE PLAN IN PDF FORMAT: DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf DISPLAY CASE PLAN.pdf

Createx is a great start. I use it exclusively. It is easy to use. Requres little thinning (but I recommend there reducer to 20~30%. Dry each coat with a hair dryer as it needs to be heat set. Another post awhile gave me a great pointer on using "Fixative" between coats. I only use it for my detailing and before I apply my scales. This has helped a ton. Lot less repainting. I recommend you try it. For the $6 per can, it has been a lifesaver for me as I can be clumsy. I bet your base coat was fine, just needed the heat. Give it a shot. you will be surprised how much more durable the finish will be. go4bas

Look for an inexpensive rotisserie from a wal-mart (ewww) or Lowes or even a local flea market. That is where I got mine for 50 cents. Cut yourself some wheels and a simple stand. Should take very little time. Mine did. I'm not totally happy with mine but it works. Mine is very noisy. See my post in the tools forum. There is a link to Youtube where you can see it. Hope this helps. go4bas

I have made my own design to use at my dealer's store. He likes it and it gives him some flexibility. I also intend to make one for myself for displaying my personal favorites. If anyone would like to see a drawing of mine, I would be more than happy to share it. It is easy to build and looks very attractive when done. I may even be willing to make one and ship it locally for a cost of course. Got to pay for the materials and 'some' of my time you know. Not sure what I would have to have for one but I am sure I can do it at a fair price. I wish I had a picture of this but I don't have it here now. The drawing should give you a good idea of how it would look. Moderator Note: I hope that I don't get spanked for this post...I am not trying to make money on this site. Just trying to help the others where I can. Please feel free to delete this or any portion of this post if you need to. If you want the plan or any questions, just send me a private message. go4bas

Hey all, I am just now realizing the pitfalls of marketing our baits. I make a nice bait. People like it, it looks good, it is something that used to be produced but not anymore and with some added features of my own. I have sold a few but not what I was thinking. I started this as a hobby but making them as a profiting venture...I don't think I will get rich anytime soon. I have been investing a lot of time trying to produce at a rate to keep up and having little success. Now, with all the sanding work, bending wires, time at the scroll saw, etc, etc, etc. Is it really worth it? I am asking myself more and more. My hands hurt, my sleep is diminishing, and my wife thinks I am nuts. All for a buck or two? I am beginning to think that I should have left this as a hobby and for the love of the art. Perhaps I acted too quickly or should not have acted at all. I miss my tinkering times. I do believe that there is a good market for us in some baits but the production level of other companies will always kill our ability to make a real turnover for the time we invest. I am not giving up, I am just looking for better avenues to get what I deserve for my efforts. I am beginning to market what I sell as a one off, limited production, and on a as requested basis to those who do appreciate the time spent. This seems to be working for me so far. My advise to those who are determined to sell:...find one outlet that brings in the tournament anglers, guides, and lure collectors that are looking for something different. They seem to be the most willing to buy a hand crafted bait. And don't expect too much. Enjoy sharing what you know, the fishtails and the conversation about your baits is worth the efforts most of the time. That is the real payback. It is to me like catching your first fish on your own bait over and over again. I love to hear the comments and thanks that I receive from my customers. Here is an exerpt from a recent email to me (you'll understand where I am coming from). ""HI MIKE, GOT THE BAITS IN THE MAIL TODAY. OUTSTANDING LOOKING!, OUTSTANDING FINISH! PLAYED WITH THEM A LITTLE IN A LIITLE WATER HOLE THE SHAD PATTERN IS 2/10THS OF AN OUNCE HEAVIER THAN THE ORGINAL BUT SEEMS TO BE A NICE IMPROVEMENT OVER THE OLD BALSAS AND HAS A LOT BETTER PRONOUNCED VIBRATION. SWAM GREAT RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX! THE BEST I COULD TELL. LET ME ACTUALLY FISH THEM WHEN THE WEATHER GETS RIGHT AND I CAN TELL A LOT MORE ABOUT THEM. CAN'T WAIT!" THANKS!!"" That to me says it all and keeps me going. Hope this helps.

Hey guys....been having fun making plugs so far and want to tackle a swim bait. Any advise, posts, or pics for me to begin. I really want to take the easiest route to beginning and trying something proven as they look like much more work than the traditional bait. thanks in advance, go4bas