Mountainclimber

I'm thinking of building a new rod since I can't find one that suits my needs. I would like to maintain a meduim heavy action, but would like to build the rod about 50" or so. So I was wondering do I buy a 6' MH blank and just cut the butt section off, buy a M action blank and cut some of the tip and butt section off, or do I just get a M action blank and cut the butt section to produce a MH action? Again, I'm trying to end up with a MH type action in a 50" rod. This might be asking a lot... Thanks for any help!

Thanks again guys. Believe it or not I have actually used wood to mold jigheads before. It was pretty crude but worked for awhile. I've got some awkward shaped heads to make this time and may just spring for the two-part puddy. Thanks again!

Thanks! I was looking for an alternative to the mold putty like Aluminlite makes ($30 for 1 lb, which is way more than I need). Are any of the silicone molds rated for that high of a temp? I'm knew to all of this, but I have a bait sculpted out and ready to start molding!

Not sure if this is the proper place to post this, but I was wondering if you can safely pour lead into a mold made from soft oil based modeling clay (like a kids modeling clay that doesn't dry out)??? If not, can it be poured into a cured Sculpey mold? Thanks!

Thanks for the advise mark. Right now I'm using a plaster mold, but I just discovered the Alumilite products, so the new mold will either be a flexible silicone or hard resine. I'd be up for suggestions on which you guys think might work best. I might be making baits 7-10 inches in length, and want to suspend lead and hook inside somehow. Thanks again!

Yeah, I was brainstorming how I might get a pocket of air molded into the rear. Maybe something like those rattle beads, without the rattles?... May just experiment with getting more lead forward of the eye. Thanks again for the replies!

After reading the discription on the plastic I have it says it floats. Maybe some adjustment to the weight will be enough to bring it level. I know it sounds like a pety thing, but having a level bait will help me catch more of these big fish using the presentation I have in mind. Thanks again.

Thanks for the info! I'm just trying to make a weighted plastic swimbait (Storm style, with an imbedded lead jighead) that will will set perfectly horizontal at rest while suspended in the water column. The ones I've made in the past sit slightly tail-down. I can try to modify the weight forward a little more, but is there any other way to get the tail to "float" up / level with the head? Thanks again!

I was wondering if the "Micro Balloons" at Makelure.com are the same as the "Super Floating Bubbles" at Lurecraft.com? It's been awhile since I've been on the forum, but the info I recieved for my last project really helped out a ton! Getting the itch to improve on my swimbait design. Thanks again!

I wonder if you have to use their brand name retarder or would any latex retarder work? For what I'm trying to do I'd rather just get something locally ASAP. Thanks again for the feedback. This is a great site.

Cool, I use a bottom feed brush as well and will definitely try the retarder. The sponge brush works OK, but uses more paint and doesn't look too great with multiple colors on a really big bait (but got me by for my first run). The retarder should do the trick. Thanks again everyone!

Thanks BBK, will do that. Maybe the problem I'm having with the air brush would be solved with the Retarder they sell. Maybe it's starting to dry too quickly coming through the airbrush. I'll try a sponge brush. Thanks again.

Trying to spray Lure Craft Soft Plastic Paint through my air brush and it is kicking my butt. At first it was working OK, but spraying stringy spiderweb like junk all over the place. Eventually it clogged my brush. Since then I've tried cleaning the airbrush and tried mostly thinner, mostly paint, half and half, it's still not working worth a dang. Should I just give up and brush it on (which will look like crap)??? Thanks!!!!

No, I won't be trolling them, strictly jigging. It won't be a typical swim bait either. It's a little unorthodox design, but I am hoping it will work for the method I use.

Thanks for the info guys! I've still got a lot of work and experimenting ahead of me, but I'll let you know how it turns out.