Kribman

most ace hardware stores actually sell 25 ft. coils of stainless steel wires of different diameters. I find even the higher gauge wires easy to work with, and the wire formations are remarkably strong when bent into place. Don't be afraid to use a high diameter wire on a small bait, as a musky can destroy a small through wire job. just my 2 cents

Thanks for the detailed reply diemai. I am pumped to get one going. I definitely plan on doing a through wire system with some weight in the front, but the majority of the weight in the back of the bait. I want as much splash as possible, is there anyway I can make a fin like protrusions at the floating line of the lure? Or making metal flaps on the side to add sound? Good stuff, oh yeah is spruce a light enough wood?

Hi all. Hope you had a great thanksgivin'! Its been over a year since I have last posted, and you can probably guess that I have taken a break from lure making. But after a year of relying on Bass Pro for lures that I loose and care not for, it is time to get cracking. And this time I want to try and master a larger scope of lure making... see my last go was me mostly attempting large crankbaits and gliders, but it's time to take care of the lures that really put a dent in the wallet... Topwaters, small jerk/crankbaits and I might even give bucktails a whirl. So, my first question following my hiatus is what is the best placement for weights in a large musky style walk-the-dog baits. I imagine you want them to be towards the bottom of the lure, but are they mostly front weighted or center weighted... See, I am not the most efficient lure maker yet and I can quite crank out a bunch of lures to test out the best placement. it might come to that, but if anyone has experience with topwaters any info will be incorporated and credit given next musky season! take care!

Back from a long hiatus and was going to come back with quality in mind above spitting out a ton of lures that are ok. I am going to start through-wiring all of my baits, and I already know I am going to use my band saw to make the cut in half. well, here is my step by step: 1. cut out the shape of my lure onto a piece of maple 2. measure out the width of my lure with the width of the bandsaw blade taken into account. 3. cut the lure in half with the band saw 4. draw lines on the inside to help visualize were the wire will go 5. dip the 2 halves in sealer Here is where it gets hazy. (Feel free to criticize my methods above). 1. What is the best way to make the indentation/cut for the wire? 2. How do I make sure that the indentation/cut for the wire is symmetrical on both halves of the lure? 3. Should I pour the lead for my ballast in the opening that the bottom hook hanger comes out? 4. How can I make a rattle in the bait? 5. After the wire is sitting in the indentation/cut, do I add wood putty to fill in the extra space?/ Should I put putty in before I lay the wire in? THE BIG ONE 6. How do I get the two lures together after I am finished? Wood glue or 5-min epoxy? I have read some tutorials on through wire, but they are way over my head and I don't think they need to be as precise as I am making musky cranks. Thanks a lot guys, and the simpler the method the less windows I break after I ruin the lure! jk.

I WANT PICS!!!! Jeez, its one thing to state the claim that you son has caught the NY record bass saying you have pics, but its another to not have the pictures. I feel like I have been cheated and taken a fool. Good chance its all for attention.

I'm jealous. I just hope you put that fish right back on its bed... Did the person who made that lure happen to be the lucky guy in that picture?

I like 'um. You're in the same boat as me. I know i have the potential to break away and start painting bait to look like what i dream them to be, it's just a matter of time. The trick is go at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you start out too fast, you will absolutely burn yourself out and like me, you might have to take a few weeks off to reflect on the damage you've done. But I just got back in the game, and now the summer is coming, My trigger finger is getting happy, and i can't wait to paint. Good luck, and nice lures.

Beautiful, beautiful, and beautiful! You've got skill in making baits, now show us some pics and we'll see if you can catch the snoek as well as you can paint. Good luck

It might be too slow. Then again, the temperature of your workspace determines the hardening and curing rate of the epoxy, so if you find its too slow and the epoxy of gloopy, then take it outside if its chilly. If not, a new motor may be needed.

There are two regions where I can guess you may have gone wrong. 1st is the sealing prior to painting. I like to soak the body in a polyurethane stain/sealer I have. I leave it in for a minute or so, and then pull it out and let it dry. Then, I sand, and repeat. Three coats or so and this baby's ready to go. Thats how I seal. Some use dissolvable pellets in water or acetone, and thats another option. The 2nd area could be with the clearcoat. I would just simply go with the tried and true Devcon 2 or Envirotex Epoxy clearcoat. They are great products, and if applied correctly, they will keep water and teeth out of your bait. Good luck jcb.

No smallies. It's way the hell up there. Its 50 miles north of Red Lake, out of both the smallmouth and muskie range. Oh well, I can't wait to get my hands on the Pike, Walleye, and Lakers! Thanks for the advice reefslinger. I better sock up on big jerkbaits.

I take a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and hope it doesn't crack the bait. Removing a lp for me is usually during desperate measures, but it works.

It's weird, i have never backed up my braid with anything more than a piece of electrical tape. I have never had it roll back on me. P.S., a good way to prevent bail twist or "rat's nest" is to put one your furthest casting lure, toss it out as far as you can, strip out another ten or so feet and put down a piece of electrical tape to prevent the twists and loops from going deeper into the line.

ONE WORD. Big ass Jitterbug in black. I'm telling you there is nothing better than giving it a slow and consistent pull over a weedbed. rust me, you will weed out the smaller ones and get chunkers that move in to feed at night. Buy one for the sake of good night bassin