RCaillouet

What is a good way to slow the rise rate of plastic crankbaits? Currently using Bandit 200 series that I have repainted to colors I like to use. Problem is the things rise very quickly and I need to get them to rise just a little slower. I merely just want to keep them closer to the cover that I am banging them on when I stop my retrieve. Thanks, Reggie

First I need to say that I haven't done this very much on rabbit hair! But it works on deer and a few other types I have tried it on. First go to the store and buy some packets of Kool Aid! That's right I said kid's drink Kool-Aid! Mix up 1 pack of Kool Aid for 2 cups of water. Get a microwave safe container and heat up the solution for about 30 seconds. You don't want to bring the water to a boil but you want it fairly warm. Now place the hair (it is on a hide/mask/strips and not loose hair right!) in another container and pour the solution over it and let it sit for a minute or two. You want to have enough solution to completely cover the hide/mask/strip of hair you are dying. Use some needle nose pliars to make sure the hair stays in solution and soaks it up! Remove the hide with the pliars and let completely dry (overnight to 2 nights is usually good.) If still not dark enough repeat process! CAUTION!!! You don't want the solution hot enough to loosen the hide and release the hair, but you want it hot enough to make the hide and hair absorb the solution to die the hair! This will be trial and error until you find out how long your micro needs to be on to heat the solution well enough and how long to let it sit. Good luck! Reg

Well, first there are many differences even from one brand crystal flash to antoher. What you want to do is think about what you are wanting to use it for more than what brand to use. An example is if you are wanting a crawfish pattern for fresh water. I prefer salt water krystal flash / flashabou for this purpose. My reason is that most salt water made flash is thicker and wider than fresh water types. The up side to this is that it generally is a little more durable and doesn't have as mush "flash" than freshwater types. To me this makes it more realistic for a craw pattern. Another example is the classic Clouser Minnow. This pattern is made to mimic a bait fish. If I am fishing this in clear moving water, I want just a small amount of FRESHWATER flashabou / krystal flash in it to make it more lifelike. On the other hand if I am fishing this in stained water I want a good bit of flash so I will use one with a good bit of this stuff in it to make it really shine in the water! I guess an easy rule of thumb here is this - Freshwater Flashabou is thinner with more and smaller "flakes" in it to make it shine a lot brighter; BUT it is a little less durable than saltwater made types. Saltwater types are more durable due to being thicker and wider strips; but generally has less "flakes" making it a little less brilliant than fresh water type.

First, thanks eveyone for this wonderful site! Well, I am just getting started in custom crankbaits. Right now am just planning on painting some PLASTIC prebuilt crankbait bodies from Jann's. So far, I scuffed a few old and unusable cranks with 220 grit to start. This is followed by a couple of coats Krylon White Primer spray for a start and let dry overnight. Next is Createx Airbrush ready paints. My overall body is 9 parts Fl. Orange with 1 part Med Red for a "orange caution cone" color (wife's name for it - but accurate!) For the back, an even mix of 10 parts Forest Green and Light Brown with 1 part dark gray for an DARK watermelon color. Now the problem! I let the crank sit overnight and attempted to use Clear Lacquer with some gold and red fine glitter as a dip and ... well disappointment was the name of the day. I am looking for a clear coat to put over my paint so that I can fish with these crankbaits! I would like to keep it simple as I do not have aturner, and would like to use a dip method with hang dry. I am not picky though, I want to fish these! HELP!!!!! Also, what is a good way yo get the glitter on to the crankbait? My idea of using it in the dip for an even coating didn't work (could it be the lacquer problem as well?) Thanks for the help all!!! Reg