Devcon Scratches (

[chas48]

Dosnt take long (2 hrs) for the belly hook to where scratches in Devcon....thought it was tougher ...(

[BobP]

Properly measured and mixed Devcon is what I use on trolling lures, which get the hardest use and are most subject to hook rash. Is it actually tougher than other choices? No, I don't think so. But it is thicker and takes longer for hooks to wear it down to the paint layer. MCU is tougher but the coating is much thinner and gets penetrated sooner than Devcon. In the final analysis, lures get hook rash no matter what the topcoat.

[mark poulson]

In my experience, D2T is the hardest, most hook rash-resistant top coat out there, so you're on the right track

If you're building your own baits, try turning the belly hook hanger crossways, so the treble can lay with two hook at the side, and one hanging down.  That will cut down on hook rash.

On stock baits, I T the trebles if I can, turning two of them so they are opposite each other, and can rub on the belly without scratching the finish.

I have found that it is impossible to build a bullet-proof lure.

[Vodkaman]

If the lures belly eye is mounted across the lure instead of lengthways, you get the opportunity to mount your treble so that it equally straddles the lure. This is the same as T-ing, as suggested by Mark, but without having to bend the hooks.

 

If you don't get what I am saying here, let me know and I will post a few images to explain more clearly.

 

Dave

[BobP]

Dave makes a good point.  Turning the belly hanger perpendicular to the axis of the lure instead of in-line makes it possible to mount the treble so it won't rash the lure as much - that is, of course, if you're using standard treble hooks.  If you're using VMC "In-Line" trebles, they are configured so that they won't rash the paint on a lure with a standard in-line hook hanger.  I mount the tail hanger on baits horizontal for the same reason - it lets me to mount the treble so that 2 tines sit equal side-to-side with one tine either up or down (you choose).

 

I think the reason that the "standard" direction for a belly or tail hanger is in-line with the bait axis is that the hook hangers on plastic baits are inserted between the body halves when the lure is joined, so it seems natural to us that they "should be" configured this way, when in fact it's just a by-product of the construction process.

[saltshaker]

"In my experience, D2T is the hardest, most hook rash-resistant top coat out there..."

 

Mark, you should try to get out more. :

 

K

B

S

[Skeeter]

I have never seen a clear coat of any kind that is rash proof. I use hook protectors on every crankbait in my box for that reason.

 

Skeeter

[bass100]

For the last couple of months I have been using Etex and although it will still get hook rash it is not as bad as D2T.

[mark poulson]

"In my experience, D2T is the hardest, most hook rash-resistant top coat out there..."

 

Mark, you should try to get out more. :

 

K

B

S

 

My kids say the same thing, but it's usually followed with "and don't come back!"  Hahaha

 

I'm sure there are other top coats that are more rash-resistant than D2T, but it's the hardest one I've used.

[saltshaker]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BobP]

A lot of musky builders like Etex. I started out with D2T on bass baits and never felt a need to try others. Check out a User Submitted Tutorial on using Etex submitted by Fatfingers. His results are certainly outstanding if you look at his baits in the Gallery. However, we're talking about undercoating here and not topcoating. If you are looking for something faster to use, Etex ain't.

[bass100]

A lot of musky builders like Etex. I started out with D2T on bass baits and never felt a need to try others. Check out a User Submitted Tutorial on using Etex submitted by Fatfingers. His results are certainly outstanding if you look at his baits in the Gallery. However, we're talking about undercoating here and not topcoating. If you are looking for something faster to use, Etex ain't.

I thought we were talking about hook rash which is a topcoat issue.

[Venutian_Lures]

I must be the only one that doesn't like D2T. I got a sample of it once and it wasn't as good as my BSI so I never used it again. I have to agree with everyone else though, hook rash will happen on any bait with any clear coat, some just not as bad as others. BSI is my go to clear coat over everything I have tried, and I have tried quite a few different top coats. Caught lots of toothy critters on my baits with BSI and they don't scratch up too badly, still looking like new.

I'm just wondering though how long you let the bait cure with the D2T before fishing it? I've seen a few cases where people give the bait the bare minimum of cure time and then fish it immediately and they seem to be more prone to hook rash sooner than baits that have been cured and let rest for longer periods of time. 

[Bois d'Arc]

When casting a lure for bass, D2T seems to resist hook rash pretty well .  Hanging the freshly coated lure in a dehydrator and turning it for the first few minutes, until the D2T sets, then letting it "cook"  overnight seems to make the finish bulletproof.  Hanging the hooks with the barbs oriented like the VMC "In-Line" trebles also helps keep the rash to a minimum.  Seems like there was a post on this site about hanging hooks...the method was called "Square the T" or something ike that.  Bottom line....eventually every finish will scuff up.