FrogAddict Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) Hello all! I'm new and have been building lures for about 2 weeks. I think I've made 2-3 lures so far (no where close to the quality I've seen in the galleries), I won't ask the usual newbie questions about top coating etc etc. I've read countless posts from all of you guys who have been there and done that. Man I've learned a lot, thank you! Here's a question though. I live in North Dakota and I plan on making my topwater bass lures during the winter months (think ice over any open water). So how do I test them? I'm talking about more than a simple dunk test. I want to make a cast and work the lure. I'm not an engineer like Vman so I'm looking for a simple solution. My kid suggested going to the local motel and asking to use the pool but I'm guessing after they give me a weird look, the answer will probably be a resounding "NO."l. Any other ideas? Edited December 31, 2013 by FrogAddict Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Might be a little off the wall but I fished the Delaware river at the outflow of the Trenton power plant and that water was toasty at around 50 degrees so if you have one near by you might give it a go. Or maybe the outflow of a water treatment plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) Top waters are overall about the most forgiving lure you can make, with regards to function. If they sit properly you are almost certain to have a bait that will work but still need to test to see the effects of weight placement, line tie position, etc.. Hotel likely your best bet if you are set on actually casting a lure but a bathtub usually good enough for most baits besides something you want to walk. I would get a bunch of baits and stay at the hotel one night and try them out. Edited December 31, 2013 by Travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Actually the hotel might not be a bad Idea..especially if the night manager is a fisherman and you make a few for him or her...I some times have the same problem here ..but it is not as long lasting as yours..lol...or perhaps your High School or community center if they have a pool...Nathan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 I live in Nebraska, if I reall feel the need to cast a lure I go to my local frozen lake and cast into the drainage section behind the dam, where they let the overflow water out. It never freezes and is super clear water. However, 95% of the time my bathtub works better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassguy Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 (edited) The bath tub works great. For a top water bait you don't need alot of water and you can get a walk the dog going with the top section of a 2 piece rod. Jerry Edited December 31, 2013 by bassguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 If you've got the room, and the spare cash, you can always build a test tank. I also know of a couple guys who use a water trough like those used to water horses and cattle. If you decide to go this route you'll need to cover it so sunlight can't hit the water. This keeps algae from growing. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallystrothers Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 You can get thick plastic pond liners for relatively cheap. I built a 3' x 12' x 1' test tank for a grand total of $50 in my garage. Mostly it stays thawed but we had a week of sub zero temperatures and it developed 3" of ice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j27 Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 How about a tarp? Just build it up around the edges and fill it up with water. You only need a few inches for top water lures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barr5150 Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 I built a test tank from a small aquarium and a old sump pump for some current. It's not big enough to fully test a new design but works great for tuning lures before they get sent out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 6, 2014 Report Share Posted January 6, 2014 You can pick up a cheap plastic kids pool from Toys R Us. The kind with the hard sides, so hooks won't be a problem. If you want a bigger or longer tank, dig a trench, line it with a heavy plastic tarp, and then put a waterproof plywood trough into it, to protect the plastic. Once it filled with water, it should work fine. I've also heard of people using big plastic ice chests as tanks, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
