[Kribman]

Wow! Lots of helpful and inspiring words here. I ordered a new Badger 360 off of the Garage sale and can't wait to get it fired up. I was contemplating a lot on which path i should take: 1. Produce many baits that might not have the best quality, or 2. Spend an entire day or two making on magnificent bait that really will give me a sense of achievement and not give me a sense of having to keep up a quota. I chose path two and can't wait to start making some intricate musky and bass baits. I was thinking of doing a series of lures. here's how it will play out...

1. LOTW Perch, to appeal to the large amount of fishermen that fish this lake. (I would only sell a few to people I know) and pretty much every other lake that holds em

2. Hayward Cisco, for those trollers that look for hogs in fall

3. Eagle Lake Walleye, those things are very common in Eagle Lake, Ontario

4. Kentucky Shad, for the Southern states that have a heavy gizzard shad pop. in their lakes

5. Oklawaha River Shiner, for lunker bass in Florida

6. River Chub, Lots of guys hit the rivers for muskie and pike

7. Sucker, applies to pretty much every musky lake

This seems like a fun way to put in a rotation of different shapes and colors to keep me excited. I would always try to mix up the color schemes and add foil here or take it away there in order to change effect. And I could always make something new if it pops into my head!

[Kribman]

c;mon anyone see any flaws or have any suggestions about this?

[mark poulson]

My only suggestion is to concentrate on the action first, and then the paint job.
Someone said the action catches the fish, and the paint job catches the fisherman.
I know that's an oversimplification, but I weight action over perfect paint job. If the action is wrong, the paint job won't matter.
Your lures look fine. If they catch fish, they're perfect.

[Vodkaman]

Nothing wrong with what you have written. It is a comprehensive plan. Personally, I try to take the projects one at a time. I find that if I get distracted by another project, which does happen, I end up staring at the wall or finding excuses not to do anything.

Sometimes it takes days before I go down stairs to the test pool, even though the prototype is weighted and ready. I think that is apprehension, fear of a failure. Time is wasted, but I am definately not in a rut.

If my jobs pile up too much, I take a time out and make a list of things to do. Once it is down on paper it frees up the mind and makes concentration much easier. I think this is a left brain problem.

Hope your enthusiasm gets rejuvinated by the good response to your plight and that you post a few new ones very soon.

[lockjaw]

Three months and already in a rut? I've got the opposite problem.
I think of a new lure to make and I'm off like a rocket, forget about the ones I still haven't finished, I'll finish them later - I am very undisciplined grasshopper. I've got two glide baits, a pike topwater, two sucker swimbaits, a shark swimbait (for my 5 year old nephew) and a bass sized top-raider all in the works.
As for painting, I have an artistic side so the artist in me just isn't happy with "good enough". I also hand paint so that makes the process a lot longer.

Your idea of rotating shapes and colors is a good one. Do something that will challenge you. Just don't do it all at once like me - not recommended

[Kribman]

I guess the rut was really just me getting overwhelmed with the possibility and wondering what I should do and whether I am i able to do it. I guess I just have to set my own goals and not try to live up to the lures made by pros.

[mark poulson]

It's just like dock talk. You have to do your own thing.

[The_Rookie]

TAKE A BREAK KRIBMAN!! if your overwhelmed that is a good sign to stop for a few days.. when you come back you will paint better and make better baits..

Good Luck

Bud

The ROOKIE

[Tony Maxwell]

Kribman,
I've been making baits etc. for 50 + years. Always considered it a hobby. Can't make enough money to call it a job. Recently I can't seem to stay out of the workshop. Bought some different lead molds off Ebay and am pouring almost daily, then painting, assembling, etc. etc. But there have been times that my "creative juices" have not been flowing. "This too shall pass." Hang in there. Enjoy the ride.