piddler Posted October 15, 2003 Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 what size wire is best for balsa bait wire frames? is it a softer temper than spinnerbait wire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted October 15, 2003 Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 I use 18 gauge brass or stainless on all of my baits. I have even experimented with copper in the same gauge. Never had a problem with any of the 3 breaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piddler Posted October 15, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 18 gauge is .040". isn't that too heavy for a small flat sided balsa bait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted October 15, 2003 Report Share Posted October 15, 2003 I make baits that are 1/4" thick up to 1/2" thick. The length of the baits vary form 1 7/8" to 4" long. I guess if you are gonna make a smaller bait than those a lighter wire might be in order. I use this gauge because I want the strength in my baits to satnd up to the largest fish possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeter Posted October 16, 2003 Report Share Posted October 16, 2003 Blackjack has got it. 18ga. is the way to go. It is not too heavy. Stainless might be a little tough to work with at that gauge, but it will definitely hold up to whatever is out there. I have used .031 spring steel wire in alot of my baits. It is hard to work with and hard to get a bait tuned using it. BUT, once the bait is in tune it takes a whole lot to knock it out. Plus it will never bend if used for a hook hanger. I caught a 31 lb. cat fish on one of my crankbaits with this wire in it. I fought the fish for over 10 minutes. The darn thing made some tremendous runs and bulldogged under the boat for much of the fight. When I got the bait back, everything was still straight and the bait was still in tune. Skeeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conman Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 What guage is a clothes hanger? Would it work for the wire I have a ton of them laying around since the company I work for provides uniforms for us. Conman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackjack Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Conman I would think clothes hanger wire is much to thick for freshwater , saltwater plugs like the hahn's swimmer would be ok and you might be able to use it in a musky plug. I imagine that the hanger wire is around a 8 or 10 gauge but don't quote me on that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conman Posted October 27, 2003 Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 Thanks your are right it is to thick I messed with it this weekend and it was too big. Thanks again. Conman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted October 27, 2003 Report Share Posted October 27, 2003 I buy stainless welding rod from .020 to .040. Its readily available and inexpensive. It also comes in straight pieces and bends easily. Welding supply houses are fairly common. I have caught large musky and never had a bait torn apart. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
