CA Delta

Bob, your so right about the fisherman wanting different styles on these baits. I too, have been using the 3-d eyes & found they don't like to be placed on a curve & I also learned to use a touch up gun w/ a 1.2mm to a 1.4mm tip seems to do the trick, after some trial & error. I learned that from a fellow on here, but he doesn't come around much, since he was called up to the BIG LEAGUES. I think the recessed deal Bob mentioned, has worked the best for me. Now I'm off to buy some $5.99 glass eyes for me new baits. Man this is one expensive hobby. Oh well... Tim

I to had a hard time finding it & the people that worked there had no idea. At the H.D. here where I live, the PVC Tuff Board is located in with the pine 1"x4" stock. Here is pic. Hope that helps.

Mark, I have to give credit, where credit is do. I got the tail idea from the one & only, "THE ROOKIE", yes Tater Hog Baits, Matt Mcbee. I called him & I let him know my story (very similar to yours) & he didn't mind one bit at all. Man, I kinda miss that guy. The tail worked out better than I ever anticipated. It's like it added a new section to the bait. The other thing I found out, when working with the two piece gills, is that I don't lay my siding sinkers (length wise) from side to side. I used to use pipe cleaners to hold the weight in place & they kept sliding out of place, so I used some of my girls really small pony tail rubber bands. I found that the bands turned the weights 90 degree's & the bait actually swam better than before. Here are some pics to help explain. Good luck & keep up the hard work. Sorry, the one pic with pipe cleaners, is from another bait, but you get the idea. Tim

Thank you to all for the tips & leads to helpful information. I will definitely try the tricks shared on here & the u-tube has helped out quite a bit. Thanks again. Tim

Mark, I am also trying to finish some two piece bluegills for the post spawn. I think if you just hinge the tail some how, you will get a lot of the originally indented action back. Some thing like this. Good luck & keep us posted on your progress. P.S. Love your bluegill paint job. Tim

Is there anyone on here that can do some kind of an airbrush tutorial that shows how you guys get the detail on the head, pectoral fins, eyes, & gills of the bait. I've heard it's all about layers, using stencils, masking tape, etc., etc. Please, there has got to be someone that can show a step by step, with photos or a video. Maybe someone has an airbrush link, that would help a non artist lay down some serious layers. Thanks in advance. Here is the baby gills, just sitting on the bench, because I want more detail, but I'm tired of sanding down baits. Please help..... Tim

Mr. Tater Hog, I don't know a lot about lure building or painting for that matter, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. With that said, you can sure make a quality swim-bait. Love those eyes. You were all ready on your way to the big leagues, when you got your debut on TT, but now that you're on fisherman's warehouse, I bet you will be so busy that you don't reply to this thread for 1 year & 3 months. Way to go Matt, keep up all the hard work. Tim