muskylund1

Thanks guys. I'm sure bucktail wire (.050) will work, but I know that is not what is used on Slammers and Cranes. Since I am using Cedar I think that through wire is probably the best option. I bought some 1/2" Cedar from Itasca Wood Products and have created some cardboard outlines from some of my favorite minnow baits. I will cut out the blanks using a jig saw, sand and then paint. I'm planning to cut a channel on the belly of the bait for the wire and will secure it with epoxy. I'm sure that is how Slammer does it. I'll probably end up using some wire in the .035-.040 range since it should be easier to make the kind of bends required. Does anyone have any tips on the amount of lead I should use to weight an 8" minnow bait made from Cedar? I know I'll have to experiment, but I'd hate to ruin a bunch of baits before I get it right. Tom

I am new on this site and will be trying to make some musky crankbaits this winter for the first time. I will be starting with Slammer/Crane style baits. I've picked up a lot of tips so far on this site, but have a couple of questions for you veterans out there: 1. What size wire would you recommend for through wire construction? I will be using Cedar. I've got .050 for making bucktails, but that seems too big. I've also got some .024 but that seems too small. I'm thinking somewhere in between would be just about right, perhaps .035. 2. Other than learning to use an airbrush, my other main concern is applying weight. I've got an old Slammer that I am going to repaint so I know where he applied the weight. I just don't know how much to use. Any recommendations on the amount of weight for a 6" and an 8" Slammer style bait? I'm planning to drill a hole from the bottom and use pencil lead secured with epoxy. Tom