I Made Some Photo-Finish Crankbaits

[LooksLikeSinbad]

A couple months ago I decided to try my hand at photo finishing crankbaits. For those that don't know, it's a process of adhering a photographic image to a bait.  I just completed a few and I am pretty happy with them.  All of these baits have a bluegill image on a plastic crankbait body.  These are now ready for some on-the-water testing.

This is a small lipless crank:

Here is a slightly larger lipless crank:

This is a 2 1/2 inch crankbait:

If all goes well, I hope to make a bunch of these over the winter and maybe experiment with some other images and baits as well.

[Jimzee]

Best photo-finish job I have ever seen.  Great work!!

[Grey Wolf]

You did a fantastic job!!!!!!!

[dan82205]

very nice!

[memo43]

Posted by: Jimzee

Reply #1 - Today at 11:23am     Best photo-finish job I have ever seen.  Great work!!

X2

I give your baits an craftmanship ***** (5 stars)

when can I order 1-2 from you?

memo

[ejtaylor822]

Those look awesome!

How do you do that?

Incredible.

[whittler]

To be honest most of the photofinish baits I have seen just look like a picture on a plank, rough texture and washboard seams, but these are the top of the class. Just outstanding workmanship, you have got to be the photofinish champ.

[basshunter81]

Those are outstanding. Can you explain the process? Will you sell me a couple?

[LooksLikeSinbad]

Thank you everyone for the compliments. It's actually a very simple process, but making them look good is not easy.  This technique has been around for a while and is still evolving. I took a tutorial that someone wrote on the process, combined that with some things that I read elsewhere and added a few ideas of my own.

That said, here is the process in a nutshell:

- I traced the blank crankbait and scanned it into the compuer.

- In photoshop I created a guide using the scanned image and tweaked the bluegill photo to "fit" the shape of the bait better. I added the orange belly and some details in photoshop.  

- I printed the image on my regular printer on to full sheets of sticker paper

- I adhered the image to the plastic bait (this took some practice to get it smooth)

- stick on eyes

- I covered the bait with several clear protective coats

- split rings and hooks

[basshunter81]

Very Cool, thanks for the info. Seriously though are you willing to sell me a couple?

[The_Natural]

Those are the best photo finished baits I've seen.  I really like that bluegill pattern as well.  

[I Love BassResource]

I gotta echo the_natural and jimzee. That finish is simply superb. I'd definitely buy one!

[LooksLikeSinbad]

Thanks for all the kind words, I appreciate it!

I have only made a few so far, so I don't have any to sell. I am hoping to test these, make any necessary corrections and produce a larger batch to sell over the winter.  I will be sure to let you all know when that happens.

[jbass]

There are no words, but WOW!!!

[BIG M]

great job on those baits.   That is one trick I have never learned to master.   Very detailed process just to get the pic to fit the bait.   You have it down.  

[Brute]

WOW

[LooksLikeSinbad]

Very Cool, thanks for the info. Seriously though are you willing to sell me a couple?

I don't have any to sell yet. If all goes well I'll have a batch to sell this winter and I'll let you know.

[Stingray23]

They look fantastic! would definitely be interested in buying some when available.

[spinnerbaitalways]

Thems perty!!!! :) I want some???????

[cootertom]

Those are the best I've seen anywhere!! Us guys down south would be happy to try them out for you and give you feedback on them ;D.