balsa butcher

Those sure look like a Gulp to me.

That is an awesome paint job.

ITOYA water-based pens work great. I got them at Hobby Lobby and they don't run when an epoxy clear coat is used and I'm sure they would work with other clear coats as well.

I like using the netting from a minnow net that you can buy at Wal-Mart or any bait store for about a buck.

Some great info there. Thanks!

Mark and Pikester, I never even thought about any other wood when I posted this, isn't balsa the only thing used for bait building? I guess I am narrow minded, and should have said I have no clue how propionate works on other woods, as I have never tried it on anything other than balsa. My name is balsa butcher, you know. One of these days I want to try the AZEK for a bait, I am familiar with that product, but never considered it for a bait material. But guys, propionate really is a great product for balsa wood baits!

$9.00 for 8 ounces? Ouch!! Just my opinion, but I would try propionate if I were you. I wish I had tried it a lot sooner. It penetrates and seals the wood, and after a few dips it will make your baits very smooth and it is very easy to sand. It costs about $25.00 for a bag, and it is enough to make probably 2 gallons of bait dip if not more. The nice thing about it is if your clear coat and paint are penetrated, it will still protect the wood underneath.

Thanks for the help guys!

Do any of you guys have a recipe for a good perch pattern? I have to paint some topwaters for a friend and have never done a perch, and I am not that great at mixing colors yet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

In my opinion propionate is the best wood sealer by far. I usually dip my baits 6-9 times, then after painting use Devcon or Flex Coat for the clear. There are a lot of guys on here that will recomend Dick Nites' or E Tex, but I have not tried them. Even if your clear coat is compromised the propionate will keep the water out of your wood unless you hit something and take a chunk out of the side of it. I don't fish for toothy critters but I am sure someone on here could testify how well it holds up to teeth punctures.

That's just great, something else I am going to have to try! Guess I should get out more often, I have never heard of anybody using that stuff to make baits out of. Is it pretty bouyant?

Guys, I want to try out some E-Tex. Is it actually called Envirotex? Where is it sold? Are there different kinds, like Devcon has 5 minute, 2 ton, ect.? If so what do I need? Thanks for the help.

My advise to you for building your first one is to build a flat bait. Get a piece of 3/8" balsa from somewhere like Hobby Lobby and draw a shape on it that you like. You could even trace a bait that you already have. A flat bait is a lot easier and faster to build than a round body lure. After you cut it out, you can simply shape it with sandpaper. After you get the hang of them and get them to run right, try a more complex shaped bait. Just make sure that when you sand balsa you wear a dust mask. That stuff will make you cough like crazy and it's not good for you. Be careful though, carving baits is extremley addicting! Especially after you catch your first fish on one. Good luck!

It's 6:37am and I just checked the baits. They all came out great except for the gnat that flew into one and got stuck. I might try experimenting with mixing a little Deep Woods OFF in with the Flex Coat next time. Now I'm off to the lake for a week! Thanks everyone for your help!

I only use Flex Coat syringes and the little clear plastic Flex Coat cups.