Big Epp

Yes! That would be really cool.

Yup, that was the first thing I noticed after the fact...

The challenge I've found with single hooks is the size of the eye. Many of the smaller hooks I've tried have eyes so small they won't take a split ring. If you attach the hook directly to the spinner you probably have a ton of options.

I use the poison tail mold and really like it. I made several to use as swim jigs with no modifications and they worked great.

I've only done this once, but I have some gold powder paint that I mixed into epoxy. I had some in a cup for coating some jig heads, and when I poured the cup back into the main container there was some left in it. I added epoxy and coated a couple lures. It looks good so far!

I have also heard good things about True Coat but not used it yet. I've use moisture cured urethane, D2T, and Etex Lite. All are different, but all have good qualities.

I get that! I bet we could do some really good work, it's just a matter of time and priorities. The small crank is the lure I tried the wash technique on, and the bass is a 7" glide bait I made a couple years ago and is all hand painted.

I found this stuff referenced in a post on bassresource: https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/paint-finishes/air-cure-aerosol-paints/aluma-hyde-ii-prod1117.aspx Seems like maybe a good option if you find the right color.

Might get in trouble for going nude, depending on the campground at least! That was my thought as well for colors, solid base colors, especially white and black, with a few accent colors like red, blue, and silver (maybe some green too). I'll have to try the hydro dip thing. it sound interesting!

Biggest rule for safety (I tell this one to my kids ALL the time)... Don't lick it! If this seems overly simplistic, keep in mind my kids are 7, 5, 3, and 2...

I think that's a pretty big key to it! I tried the "paint wash" method, and it is definitely something I'd need to practice a lot to get any good at. Brush painting is quite a bit different that airbrush painting! Part of the idea behind the post in the first place is the idea of being highly mobile. I've been reading about families who "roadschool," in which they travel around the country in an RV, converted school bus, or camper. Generally this is a couple year journey, and they get to take their kids all over the country and see all sorts of things, emphasis put on first hand experiences instead of textbook knowledge. One dynamic of this includes limited storage space... I would't be able to bring my whole shop, so I've been "what if-ing" my way through the process, what tools would I bring, what type of lures would I make, would I just take a break (probably not!), how would I simplify the whole process as much as possible. One bonus of this idea is my kids and I could catch fish in all 48 continental states and maybe some provinces in Canada too! Oh the possibilities...

Lots of great ideas! It's interesting to think back to the beginning. I've been reading books on carving and paintings birds (decoys, decorative, etc) and came across an interesting technique for working with acrylics. Basically, you dilute the paint to the consistency of milk and then apply it in multiple, thin washes. It sounds very similar layering paint within an airbrush. I'm going to try it out and see how it goes.

How would you paint lures?