1st SwimbaitS In The Making. (DONE)

[MichiganFisherman]

I've never really made a lure before but, I've decided to dive in and give swimbait making a shot. I'll be documenting it here as I go along. Here we go...

I started out with a 3/16" thick, 3.5" wide piece of basswood. Cut 3 pieces to 4" in length and glued them together with liquid nails. Then I drew the pattern and cut the basic shape out with a coping saw and proceeded with a wood file and then sandpaper.

Here's it is cut out and filed to basic shape.

Now I roughly rounded the edges with the file, keeping everything in line with my center piece of wood.

Here is where I'm at. I sanded it smooth and chopped it in half. Not too bad eh?

More to come soon...

Stay tuned.

[FishingBuds]

Looks good so far, everyone needs to make on in thier life time

[.dsaavedra.]

yup yup yup!

thats the way to do it!

just jump right in and make what your mind thinks up!

looks good, looking forward to seeing progress!

[MichiganFisherman]

Ok, it's starting to look like a lure now...

I started another one today too.   ;D

[MichiganFisherman]

Just got done photo finishing and painting.  They both look really cool.  I decided to go big and finish 2 at once.  So..which one is my first swimbait then? lol :-?  Tomorrow I will clear coat and take some pics of the finished products.  I just hope they swim...   :-/

[whittler]

Start with a plan.  The biggest mistake with new baitmakers is they want to have a finished bait in their hands in ten minutes. If you were building a house you would not start at the roof and build down and it is also true for baitmaking.

Get you materials and tools together first then think your way through, seal and test before finishing and top-coating, then it is easy to make corrections. There are a lot of baitmakers on this site that will help you but if you are jumping back and forth in the process you will not get much response.

Some of the information may be well meaning but like melting lead in aluminum foil is just plain dangerous, take some of the advice with a large spoon of salt not just a grain.

[MichiganFisherman]

Start with a plan. The biggest mistake with new baitmakers is they want to have a finished bait in their hands in ten minutes. If you were building a house you would not start at the roof and build down and it is also true for baitmaking.

Get you materials and tools together first then think your way through, seal and test before finishing and top-coating, then it is easy to make corrections. There are a lot of baitmakers on this site that will help you but if you are jumping back and forth in the process you will not get much response.

Some of the information may be well meaning but like melting lead in aluminum foil is just plain dangerous, take some of the advice with a large spoon of salt not just a grain.

ok..

[.dsaavedra.]

the baits are coming along!

what did you decide to do for the weight?

i disagree with idlov2fish when he says to always use a plan. it is true that coming up with a good detailed plan will usually produce better quality, better preforming baits, but i find its fun sometimes just to make whatever your mind comes up with. i usually dont have a plan when i'm experimenting with new materials, new tools, new designs, etc... or when i just feel like experimenting. it is good to make note of each step of the way on experimental baits, because if the bait turns out to be totally awesome, you want notes to help you re-produce it.

also, save your self the trouble (and possible disappointment) and just go ahead and seal and test your baits BEFORE you put any paint of any kind of finish on them. that way you dont waste time and materials on a bait that isnt going to work. just make sure you put the hooks and split rings you plan on using on the bait when you test it

i'd like to see how these look when they're finished!

[MichiganFisherman]

I used the split shot in the drilled holes thanks to your advice.  

I may have a better plan in the future but, for now, as my first baits, these are just for fun and learning and hopefully they turn out well and swim.

What do you use to seal it before you test it and paint it?  I will do that in the future.

[.dsaavedra.]

I used the split shot in the drilled holes thanks to your advice.

I may have a better plan in the future but, for now, as my first baits, these are just for fun and learning and hopefully they turn out well and swim.

What do you use to seal it before you test it and paint it? I will do that in the future.

i use polyurethane to seal it.

[MichiganFisherman]

Here they are finished.  I'm very pleased with how they turned out being my first lures ever.  

And if you are wondering how good they swim...  just ask this guy.  

;D ;D ;D

[dan82205]

Nice job on your frist baits. Look really good keep it up

[.dsaavedra.]

nice job. i really like the eyes on the sunfish.

you did a nice job with the photofinish. the foil reflects thru the paper very well on those

curious what pictures you used for the photofinish....

[MichiganFisherman]

nice job. i really like the eyes on the sunfish.

you did a nice job with the photofinish. the foil reflects thru the paper very well on those

curious what pictures you used for the photofinish....

The eyes on the sunfish are actually hot glue drops over the photofinish eyes.  I think I got that idea from you?  lol.

Actually, only the sunfish is a photofinish.  I foiled taped the shad and then used rattlecans and acrylic paint.  I think it turned out alright.

And I used the jackall giron for the photo but, I messed with it a little in photoshop and added my own acrylic touch to it too.  The lips are made from safety glasses.  

I'm just grateful for bass resource and all the help I find here.  Couldn't of done it without ya.  Thanks everyone.

 

[.dsaavedra.]

ok yeah you did get that idea from me because that is how i make my eyes (except i put hotglue over foil, havent done it over a photo yet, but i have thought about it).

glad the baits were successful.

[MichiganFisherman]

Thanks, Dave.