OwlRNothing

Like Pesca - I'm just getting started. Well, really I'm just in the researching phase, so I guess you could say I am JUST getting started. I hope Pesca won't mind, but I have a lathe question and since you guys are all already talking about it - can I threadjack a bit? Would you guys think that a beginner would be OK using a cheaper lathe to start, or should I just hold out and invest in a really good one from the start? Harbor Freight has one for under $200, but one from a big box store isn't much more than that. Just wondering what you lathe'rs (?) think of the cheap o versions of this tool? I don't want to waste money on an expensive lathe to find out I hate it, but then - I don't want to try to learn on junk, either. I'm out on a limb here betting that Pesca might find your answers interesting, too?

I just use a turner made for fly fishing flies. http://www.castersonlineflyshop.com/fly-furniture-rotary-fly-dryer/ I'm surprised more lure makers don't just use this one. Hard to beat it for $50. Mine's been going for over 5 years now, used for keeping the 2 part epoxy from sagging on fly fishing poppers for bass.

Well, for whatever reason, I can't seem to find this Azek Decking stuff in my area. The big box stores show it on their websites, but apparently they don't stock it, and it doesn't appear that I can order it. I'm just getting started researching this wood carving of lures thing, but I'm just about sold on trying to use this instead of wood for topwater lures. I've been making hard foam poppers for years now, but I'm really interested in setting up a real wood shop now - band saw, lathe - the works - and making wood or PVC lures, floats - anything fishing related actually. I'll attach a photo of some of my poppers from a few years back. I sold a bunch of them, but now - in this faltering economy, my sales dried up and I make them mostly for myself and a few friends. Largemouth love 'em - I think mostly because they've never seen anything like 'em. I've already learned a ton from reading here and want to thank everyone who contributes - but especially the regular contributors to all the conversations about lure making. Thank you all for being so willing to share what you know with everyone. owl North GA USA

I always hated trying to use pork trailers. Could never get them off the hook and would have to just let them dry on there and cut them off with a knife. Are there situations (fish species?) where pork really outfishes salt-infused plastic?