BIG M

National Balsa is the cheapest place I've found to buy bulk balsa. 25.00 min order but they nail you on shipping. Make sure that you request hard balsa or you will get a box of soft wood (not good for lures).

For balsa wood and cedar a scroll saw is perfect for me. It may not be as fast as a band saw but speed removes fingers.

I like the colors on this batch Barry.

Scroll saw for me, I like my fingers.

Looks good Jon, I would like to see the sides and belly in an off white Ivory color.

Now I remember where I've seen your work. Great painting skills.

Ben the bait looks great. I bet you had a great time carving/sanding the oak.

Those baits run just like the originals that I copied them from. The B1 and B2 clones both have very wide wobbles and for a small bait the KB1 clone has wide wobble. The KB1 in the pic has the line tie in the nose and that gave the bait a kind of dull action that I did not like. I like the bait better with the line tie in the lip.

Don't use a chemical paint remover, it will eat you bait. Just scuff lightly, prime then paint.

John those things are nice and you went to the e-tex darkside again. You have really got the hang of the swim baits.

Very nice paint, now I have another painter to be jealous of Welcome

The style of baits you want to build are carved on a lathe. Not sure that you can copy those by hand carving/sanding. A coping saw, razor knife, sand paper, drill, wire cutters, and pliers are the only tools needed to get started.

Try the bigger hook on the belly and leave the tail hook off.

Lowe's and Home Depot

Looks good, I like splatter backs.

Barry, it's not perfect. After you paint it and fish it then you can tell me how close I got to the original.

My version is from 1 inch stock, that's why the sides look a little flat. I did not want to lose the width by totally round the sides. What I will do with the next bait is glue 2 pieces of 3/4 stock together and make a true round bait.

Ben, very cool looking poppers. My poppers never worked right because the clear coat filled in the cup face and I would loose the pop.

The original bait is approx 1.25 inches wide. They didn't call it Mama Cat for nothing.

My version is not as wide as the original bait. I would need some 2 inch thick stock to an exact copy.

Thanks guys, this bait was a tough nut to crack. That darn Bagley taper is hard to do by hand.

Barry, finally got you a bait that I'm happy with. Still have to do the sealer coat of epoxy and then it's off to the post office.

John, that is a great looking bluegill. I know it looks better in hand but the pic ain't bad.

That's one of the best I've seen from you and that's saying alot. Great looking swimmer.

Jon, the painting looks better with each and every bait.