[rofish]

I like to clearcoat my crankbaits, unclog (or cut again the lipslot where it was already beginning with the "square" phase), seal the wood inside the lipslot, using a fine paint brush (I had nasty surprises when I didn't seal the wood inside the lipslot), and then, having 2-3 dozen of lips with me, go to the water and try different shapes and sizes of lips, to see the difference in action they can offer.
I just press the lip in the lipslot, and if it is loose, I add under the lip a small piece of plastic material cut from a soft drink bottle, so that the lip stays in place during testing.
I noticed that in most of the cases, the "classical" lips, wether trapezoidal, round or other, give the lure about the same action, provided they have about the same surface and same length.
One of the cranks had a very "nervous" wobble (quite large and quick movement left-right), which I wanted to change, but all the classical lips gave the crank the same action.
So I tried a new shape of lip, which changed the action dramatically.
Now the crank travels in an "S" line, and at the same time, it has a tight wobble.
Don't ask me how I did that, because I do not know.
You can see here the crankbait, together with some of my lip stencils, which I made out of ordinary metal sheet.
I am sure I am not the first one to think of a different shape of lip.
http://s84.photobucket.com/albums/k5...rofish_2006-2/

[Vodkaman]

It's a beauty!

That is what it is all about.

Thank's for sharing.

[Hoodaddy]

Very interesting.... Looks like something worth looking into. Great job and ditto on the sharing.

[fatfingers]

I don't know which one I like better, the shape of the lip or the shape of the bait.

Can't wait to try them both.

Do you seal inside the slot with wood sealer or clear coat material?

[fatfingers]

One thing you might consider trying is placing all those various lips on a scanner to store them as a jpeg file.

After you scan them you can simply pull them back up and print them. That would preclude your having to trace them one at a time onto paper.

Also once they are stored in a file you can pull them up and resize them very easily.

[woodieb8]

good effort. its nice to see minds thinking.

[scoop10]

before I even looked at the bait, I figured you must have lip material extending to the sides of the head. That is definitely what will cause a bait to "hunt," as they say. Getting one to do so while still maintaining a straight general track is the trick.

[Nathan]

Very interesting stuff Rofish..You may want too try using elmers rubber cement as a temporary glue for your test bills.It holds well,only takes a couple minutes too set up,and a little wiggling,you can easily remove the bill without damage too you bait or bill..Nathan

[jawjacker]

guys he is right he is not the first to do a lip like that if you are lucky enough to have seen or used a bomber speed shad u will see a real close similarity to it dont get me wrong that is an awsome crankbait and i have caught tons of fish with them so keep on cranking them out because you cant hardly find the bombers except on e-bay sometimes later guys

[RangerZ]

JAWJACKER, If you are looking for Speed Shads, call Bobcat's Lake Country Tackle. 434-374-8381. He gets special runs made. Tell him Chris Poole said to call and he might only charge you 10% more!