All Eyes

Also a quick sketch showing the approximate placement of weighting that I used on these. They are mid rising floaters.

Thanks again Mark. Here is a picture of that pattern shown in mid stage that may help you see the underlying color better. I begin by painting the sides a dark color (black or other high contrast) Then shoot it white through mesh screen for scales. I then unwrap it and fade the belly and scales with more white. Then its a bit of transparent Carribean Blue Createx on the back side, and transparent Flamingo pink on the front. I then use a stencil and paint the gill and head white. That's where it's at in the picture. More of the same blue goes on the bottom edge throat area using the gill template. I then mix transparent green with a few drops of transparent brown, and paint the rest of the gill plate, head, and back. The stripes are done by adding one drop of black to that same mix. I also use this blend of green/brown/black to darken the back a bit more and create the shading around the eyes and gill. Belly is flouro orange and yellow, with opaque red trim for bleeding gill. Also, pics of the simple paper templates I made to paint these. I rarely ever use the same ones twice. Hope any of this helps!

Thanks a lot for the kind words Mark! The weighting in these is done in 2 spots. One behind the front hook hanger, and a smaller one in the throat. If I remember right, there is close to 4 grams total in these, which are 2 1/4" cedar bodies (minus the lips). I've played around a lot with weighting and prefer this over one belly weight for these type of baits. They sit slightly head down in the water. The lips are a bit wider than the bait at the front edge and taper back more narrow at the slot. There are 8 colors in this bluegill pattern, not including the white base coat. Fluorescent orange and yellow, black, transparent green, brown, yellow, Caribbean blue, and Flamingo pink.

Thank you D.harper! These are done by cutting a head/gill shape out of thick paper, laying it on a piece of a metal screen, then placing foil on top and rubbing and pressing it lightly. It makes the scale pattern and slightly raised gill in one step. I find it easier to cut the foil into the shape of the bait before hand. A light coat of transparent green Createx on the sides and top, followed by a light coat of black on top and on the stripes. For those, I cut a stencil and hold it a half inch or so away from the bait which helps fade the edge lines a bit. The belly is pearl white. Hope this helps.

Have to agree with Robzilla. A very cool looking bait. Nice work on the shape paint and finish.

Thanks Braided!

Thank You Gliders!

Thanks Douglas. I'm hoping to run a few of these larger baits on Lake Erie before ice.