Dink Mendez

I have been trying to make a good oxblood color worm. Put the bottom of the worm. The salted part. Robo on their oxblood worm. They have a rootbeer/ burt orange / peanut butter bottom. I'v been trying but no success. Any help on just the bottom would be very helpfull. I know the salt has something to do with it making it lighter. I NEED HELP!

Also, I was told that I can use a bench top scroll saw with varible speed can cut out some nice flat sided crankbaits. Then finish of on a belt sander. Any Idea would be great.

Thanks for the post, Now BobP, I understand your thoughts on stocking up. I respect your idea and craftmamship very much and all other member. Every time you post I look and study your teaching on crankbaits. Your crankbaits are why I'M so eager to learn how to make crankbaits BOBP! I don't my learning the why you descibed, however the steps and how to using the equipment you use is what I would like to learn. The flat sided crankbaits are killer for spotted bass. The majority of the angler here throw blades and jigs, worms and swimbait. However, I have done very well with flat sided crankbaits like the ones you post. I would be very happy to learn how to shape a bait like your. I was told to you 1/2 balsa to start out with, and trace and shape. Put the step by step and how, and the machine and sanding equipment I would love to learn. I normally only use about 20- 30 crankbaits a season. ANY help would be great. I'm gald to have got your attention BOBP

Howdy, Fellow Members, I want to learn how to make my own balsa Flat sided crankbaits. I wanting to know what equipment is needed to make 1/2 wide flat sided balsa baits. Not for commercial sale. Just for my self. I notice that the spotted bass where I fish like the flat sided baits. I've been purchasing balsa baits for Jann's Netcraft and putting circuit bills on the baits. However, I'm afraid one day the supplies of balsa flat sided baits will stop. So I would like to learn how to make flat sided baits like some of the members. I was told to purchase 1/2 thick balsa would and draw it out and cut it out. However, is there some equipment to make the job easier and funner. I would like to make the baits like Tim Earick and others. Furthermore, I foil the sides for shad pattern baits. I pours worm, makes spinnerbiats and jigs, but crankbaits have always been difficult for me.

Howdy, I've been away for awhile. I use to purchase BALSA flat sided crankbaits from a young man in Tennesse. I don't remember who. He would sell unpainted bodies and belly weights and lips. Abount six years ago or longer. A nice guy. Just can't find him any longer. If I remember correctlry he was suppling strike king and jann's with the crankbaits. I so would like to get in contact with him. ANY him would be great.

Howdy, I tried several scents many years. From Berkley scent to Smelly

Howdy, If the pot is a new and burning plastic at the lowest setting, return the pot. Lee has out-sourced some of the pots heating elements overseas (china) I have 3 of them that are seven years old and work great that were made in the USA. I recieved five new ones and two of them burned plastic up pitch black in 29 seconds on the lowest setting. Call Lurecraft, last I heard they were starting or going to design a new pot made in USA !!! Good luck DINK MENDEZ

Howdy, Thanks for the information. Hey swamp, with the formula you described, would it have the same ACTION as the GY senkos. What kind of salt do you have good resaults with? What are your thoughts. Is there a way to increase the action with salt or by adding hardner. Any information would be great. I'm going to pour some Saturday mourning. Thanks Dink Mendez

Howdy, Just wanted to know if anyone uses MF supersoft making 5 1/4 senkos. I would like to know if popcorn salt is the way to go and how much to use. I will be using Lee's Pouring pots 24 oz (size). I'm trying to accieve the same action as the yamamoto senkos. Also, how to add more action to the bait and still have the same sinking precipals. Those who use MF supersoft, your help is needed. Any information would be appreciated. Almost forgot; I'M POURING THIS WEEKEND SO ANY INFO WOULD BE GREAT! p.s. I'm using Del-mart mold! Then Best molds on the market!

Howdy, I would like to change and modify a process in my painting steps. I strip, paint and modify my baits. My process. 1) two dips of a water base sanding sealer 2) one coat of devon 3) paint one coat of lacquer white for my base 4) paint the color pattern 5) clear coat with the best ---DEVCON---- I would like to change and modify two steps into one. Steps 2 and 3 I would like to combine. I would like to use a primer I can dip over the water base sanding sealer. And the primer must be white so I can use it as my base. The biggest problem is, IT NEEDS TO ACCEPT LACQUER PAINT. ANY Help would be great. Some are uncomfortable to say, but you may send a private message. I don't do this for a living. Thanks Dink Mendez

Howdy Fellow Members, I need help finding a mold to make belly weights. I don't mind using lead weights purchased from the store shelves. However, would like a mold to make belly with for like a pencil shape. I may be able to purchase weights, however I would rather rely on myself to make weights. Thanks Dink Mendez

Howdy, What is more effective in clear or stained water. Flat sided crankbaits or traditional shaped baits. All baits in balsa wood. The reason I'm asking is because I will be trying to fish balsa wood crankbaits in a lake dominated in spotted bass. I would like to fish a zone between 5 and 15 feet. I will not be making the baits, just the assembly process to finish. I just trying to crack the code on the lake I fish. About 99% of the angler fish spinnerbait and rip baits. So my goal is to find some thing to trigger the big spots to hit. Thanks Dink Mendez

Hi Fellow Members, I read this article and just had to reply to it. The wood crankbaits are new to me. However; there is only a few pros that make a good quality wood crankbaits. Furthermore: pros like Tim Hughs baits, Black Jack crankbaits and many others crankbait makers are skilled and talented in some many ways. Matter of fact, I enjoyed looking at there creations, I'm in the process of trying to make cranbaits for my own use. But wood carving is not one of my strong points. Prep, sealing, paint and epoxy finishing came easy to me. However, making a crankbait body, I really suck at. BAD! I'm glad that LURE HARDWARE.COM is out there. If I can purchase a crankbait bodies and paint and finish them, then watch them HUNT!! That is great! For a person to invest in equipment to produce crankbait bodies and many other things. More power to him. Second, for years I held on to 47 ORIGINAL Poe's crankbaits. The ones in the blue and yellow card board box. These are the first ones made, the original ones, made in Ceres, California in 1978 unused still in the box. The Poe's are the 300 and 400 series. I opened and used about 9 of them and 4 hunt great. The old coach dog and frog color. This is where Lure Hardware came in to play. I sent him four unused crankbaits. Two 300 and two 400 series baits. The rest is history. This is what makes me upset. For years I tried to have some one make the crankbait bodies. Never could find some one reliable. Now we have a good man able to do it and there is always SOME BODY UPSET OR UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT THE WORK HE DOES. MY ANSWER TO PEOPLE THAT ACT LIKE THAT---- DON'T BUY THE PRODUCT OR LOOK AT THE WEB SITE. Kelly at Lure hardware is very nice and has helped me out on alot of info on crankbaits. I'M JUST GLAD HE IS ABLE TO MAKE GREAT PRODUCTS SO THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT CAN ACCIEVE MY GOALS ON MAKING CRANKBAITS THAT ==HUNT=== IN MANY CRANKBAIT BODIES STYLES AND THE COLORS I CHOOSE TO USE. AND FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO SPOIL SOMETHING GOOD THAT OTHERS LIKE ME ENJOY. GO TO A WEBSITE THAT ENJOY TALKING ABOUT MANUFACTURED, POOR QUALITY AND JUNK CRANKBAITS MAKE IN MEXICO. I ENJOY TACKLE UNDERGROUND FOR THE CUSTOM IDEAS AND HELP. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT= CALL KELLY AND ASK HIM IF IF I SPEAK THE TRUTH.

Good Evening, I'm wanting to try something new. I love using AN40 silver thread for cranking. However; I've been wanting to use Fluorocarbon for cranking. Does anyone have any views on this line. Is there any advantages or disadvantages. Knot strength and stretch. I'm interested if fluorocarbon would exceed the lb test it is rated for. Any info would be great and what brand is better field tested against others. Thanks Dink

TBAIT, Great subject. I feel cranking and fishing line is determined where you fish. In the south and east part of the country there is alot of timber and cover. However; here in the central california, I'm finding out that cranking has to be modified for clear to murky water. I will explain. When I started throwing cranks, I was using 12 lb Big game. A big mistake!!! Now I use 10 lb AN 40 for shallow cranking. When I say shallow cranking, I mean 2 to 10 feet. As for deep cranking, I use 8lb AN 40 for 11 to 18 feet. Now line does matter for two reasons. For maxium depth and stretch. Now for rods this is what I use. I use four Phenix 7 FOOT 8 IN level wind rods for deep cranking. They are made of combination of graphite and fiberglass. In my oppion it makes the perfect tip action and it is lite in weight. Furthermore; I use three 7 foot 6 inch spinning rods for shallow cranking. I throw small cranks, like Deep Tiny N and Radar 10 crankbaits. Deep cranking I've changed alot in my tactics. I been experimenting with wood cranks and suspending them between 12 and 18 feet. For some reason, when I pause the bait and the crank suspends at those deeps, it drives the spotted bass WILD!!!!!!! The reason I use long rods is for distance and I cover more water during a course of a day. Now where I fish, the lake are deep clear reservoirs. At certain times of the year you can see a beer bottle or car tires about 28 feet in depth. At last, I feel the most important part of cranking with good line, it should be complimented by good treble hooks. I've tried many hooks and I like VMC trebles for the price and quality, it is hard to beat. The reason I use AN 40 Silverthread, because abrasion resistances, stretch and knot strength qualities. The most important thing to me is the thin diameter and light green color blends into the water perfect. I hope I helped out.

Hello Fellow Members, Well, here is the topic. I'm looking for a consistent family of plastic crankbaits are built with quality. I've tried many crankbaits, however I'm looking to use one family of crankbaits. I'm looking for the qualities of suspending models, shallow to deep and that run consistent. Many say to use BOMBERS, BANDIT, LUHR JENSEN SPEED TRAP AND OTHERS! This is a very difficult subject. The performance and style of the baits is very important to me. I fish in heavy population of Spot's, however Blacks are coming up very fast. Wood crankbaits are great, but sometimes they want that plastic cranks. Any info and why you like the crankbaits would be very helpful. Thank, DINK!

Skeeter, I appreciate your thoughts on the subject. I was just concerned about the action of the bait. Since all my lew's reel are breaking down. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try something else. It's going to be very hard to go against tradition. Since Zebco, bought out Lew's they ruined the lew's reputation of a ounce great reel. Skeeter do you know if the Shimano Scorpion reel come in a 5:1 ration?

Well Skeeter, Thanks for all the ideas and research you put out there. However, I did alot a research. Fritts make a comment in a article I read. ( http://probassanglers.com/davidfrittscrankin.htm) He said " Reel speeds of 4:3-4:5 allow him to crank quickly without overwhelming the baits action". The baits action seems to be very important to me. Now using a fast reel, wouldn't the baits action be changed in some way. Skeeter, You live in Crankbait Country. I'm sure the locals still use the old lew's reels. Have any of them started replacing them lew's yet. What is the consistent thoughts out where you live. What kind of reel replacement are they playing around with. Since the NEW lew's reels aren't worth a nickel.

Hi Skeeter, Thanks for he link to the article. However, there is only one thing I was a little uncomfortable with. The gear ratio on the Shimano Scorpion 1000 is fast. Correct me if I'm wrong. For cranking; it is more desirable to have a 4 to 1 ration reel?

Hi fellow Crankers, I have four old Browning Lew's BB1N baitcasters and about ready to die on me. FELLOW CRANKERS- What low ratio reels are you guys having success with. I use four 7 foot 8 inch fiberglass rods for cranking. What reel do you members suggest? Almost forgot! Have you members heard of anything positive about Bass Pro Shop brand Reels? Thanks

Hi Art Brush and Finlander, Thanks for the help and the links. Without members like you guys, there would not be a Successful Tackle Underground!!!!

Hi Tally and all TU members, Thanks for all the people that particpated in the subject. Now, If I figure out how to make a crankbait hunt. ALL TU MEMBERS WILL BE NOTIFED ON THE SUBJECT ON HOW I DID IT. However; I don't know how long it will take me to figure it out. I remember who helped me out to get to this point. If it wasn't for TU I would still be buying junk crankbaits. Now I make them. Thanks to everyone!!!! GOD BLESS THE USA! GOD BLESS GOD FOR MAKING BASS!!!! GOD BLESS TACKEL UNDERGROUND MEMBERS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi CUllin, Thanks for your info. I just would like to thank you for all your help. Yourself, Skeeter, Tally and Black Jack post and info really helped me out.

Hi Skeeter and Tally, Thanks for your input. What are the best signs to look for, IF by chance I have a crankbait that hunts, How would I identify it from a average bait. What action to look for? What wood is it more common in, Cedar or Balsa wood? ANY IDEAS WOULD BE GREAT!

Hi Terry, That is a good one Terry! I referring to wood crankbaits. I believe from what I understand is, crankbaits that bounce of log and cover that still dive straight after bouncing of cover. Rick Clunn, if correct I believe started the talk about ' CRANKBAIT THAT HUNT" . The day I see a crankbait with a scatter gun I let you know Terry!