A-Mac

Hey there! I'm Aaron McAlexander. I grew up in Southern Indiana and currently a senior at Purdue University majoring in fisheries and aquatic sciences. I'm also prez of the Purdue Bass Club (just google us for our website). I've been makin my own lures since I was in 6th grade and am currently experimenting with jointed swimbaits and will post pics once i get 'er painted. This site has helped me a great deal, especially with wood sealants and clear coat applications. I def. appreciate all of your help. Thanks! Aaron McAlexander

Now painting is definitely a weakness of mine, but I managed to get an interesting result while clear coating a few years back. I created a fire tiger bait (which once i figure out how to post i will display) w/ crawdad pattern on the side (which i did w/ a sharpy marker). At the time I was spraying auto clear coat for my finish (don't recommend, good way to shorten your life span and probably become sterile). Any who, as I sprayed the coating on I walked away and came back to a smeared crawdad pattern going down the bait as it dripped dry. Disappointed at first, my friends were intrigued by the unique pattern. The paint remained but the marker design had sorta faded down the side of the bait. Like I said, I will try to post pics soon. -Aaron

Propionate pellets eh? What are those and where can buy some. Do you use it combined w/ thinner as well? I can't begin to tell you all how much this website has helped me just in the past couple days! Every tactic I used to make my baits up to this point has been self taught mainly because most of these techniques are kept in such secrecy by their respective creators. Thank you all! Aaron

Well i checked out the plastic cups+ Lacquer thinner idea. This sounds pretty cool. I'm curious if this method has been used as a final clear coat by anyone? If not, what is a reliable final clear coat.

I'm experimenting w/ jointed bream patterned swim baits. I've been carving my own cranks for 8 years w/ space in between. However, I suck at painting. I'm particularly curious as to wood preparations (after sanding) before painting. Also, after painting I have some auto clear coat that I have been applying but question my techniques. I've tried dipping, spraying, and brushing but the super smooth finish that I'm looking for just doesn't seem to be happening. I have had better results w/ painting and clear coating my foiled cranks as opposed to directly painted wood. If someone doesn't mind telling me how they do these particular steps I would greatly appreciate it. Also, i have heard of a spinning technique for clear coating. What does this mean? Live2Fish~Fish2Live Aaron Purdue Bass Club