Klondike

@jrhopkins, hopefully mine will look half as good as that! how important would you say those fins are to the bait's action and why did you decide on one treble hook instead of two?

Well, I'll probably go up to 3" which is still small, but better than 2.5. I'm not dead-set on balsa, but it is easier to shape with limited materials and I want to be absolutely sure I need to change material before I do. I certainly appreciate all the advice, I just have a few questions that come to mind about strength. Is your typical bass (or hopefully a large bass or large number of bass) really strong enough to put enough strain on a lure that has internal wire and wood enforced with automotive/industrial grade epoxy, which is also sealing the bait, to break or cause serious damage to the lure? Also does the fact that it has 3 segments make it any weaker than a 2 segment bait like the old balsa jointed Rapalas that seem to hold up fine? I'm not trying to be defensive or critical I just need to know for sure before I make any more progress on this bait.

Thanks for the tips guys. @Mark, I kinda figured since the bait I'm going for is so small I would just preconnect all my wire and make a "skeleton" and then if I cut my segments in half and carved grooves to place the hardware my epoxy would give the bait plenty of strength after I have reassembled the halves. But it probably would be better to go to a heavier wood (probably pine) and make weighting easier. @Dave, would I do this with my segments with the hardware in or when they're just pieces of wood before they have any kind of added weight at all? Also how would wood hardener affect buoyancy?

From what I've read I know it will be hard, but I'm trying to make a 2.5 inch slow-sinking 3-segment balsa swimbait and was wondering what a good goal weight would be and how much to add and where. The only real bait making experience I have is with crankbaits and I need some help.