goolies

I have been using a similar method for years to what is shown in the youtube video posted by JD. Instead of the coins I use 1/16" thick polycarbonate discs formed by a jewelers hole punch set https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010ZM6EW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and an arbor press. I like the lower frequency sound produced by the polycarbonate compared to the tinny sound of thin metal. I use either steel or lead balls.

I print them, cut them out and glue them on with a glue stick. This allows me to also show locations, angles, and sizing for lip slot, line tie, and hook hangers.

I seal my balsa baits with thin super glue and I like how it hardens up the outer layer of the balsa. A respirator is a must if you try this.

In my limited experience with Balsa it appears that the density can vary greatly. I would recommend weighing any blocks you purchase and calculating the density before you start making lures.

Well, dang. Hopefully someone else has a source. I have also bought Midwest Products Balsa at Hobby Lobby. It was expensive.

I bought mine from midwestproducts.com and balsawoodinc.com.

I still use twisted wire with my larger PVC baits but I have also switched them over to superglue from epoxy.

For the line tie and hook hangers on my balsa bass baits I use cotter pins and super glue. I predrill a hole slightly smaller than the cotter pin, fill the hole with super glue using a disposable microtip, then push in the cotter pin. I've done pull tests on them after they are dry and the balsa will break before the cotter pin will pull out. I use epoxy for the lips. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C32MENO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.mcmaster.com/98401a421

To me making new lures is fun and painting is a necessary evil.

So many are painting now because so many are willing to pay. IMO owning more than 3 to 4 colors of any one lure is ridiculous. It's also ridiculous to think you need a lure that has been painted with 8 different colors and 3 different stencils to catch a damn fish. On Lake Erie for walleye, it's become all about spraying a lure with 3 to 5 unnatural colors and giving the color scheme a catchy name.

LOL! Paint patterns or schemes cannot be owned by any one person or company. I find it ironic that a custom painter is complaining about someone ripping off his paint scheme, when he is putting that scheme on knock-off lures ripped off from other manufacturers.

I like to make rattles that produce a lower frequency sound. There is plenty of scientific study available that suggest fish cannot hear the the higher frequency sounds transmitted by a rattle with BB's. https://www.geoexpro.com/articles/2011/03/marine-seismic-sources-part-viii-fish-hear-a-great-deal https://biasproject.wordpress.com/news-from-the-ocean/fish-and-sound/