Balsa wood cranks

[BIG M]

Here are a few more off the drying wheel.   A few different ones in this batch.

[whittler]

Wow, those all look like killers, beautiful as always.

[NEKvt]

Good Stuff Marty

[carrothead]

Great looking cranks as always, but how come they all seem to have the same feel to the layout?  Not knocking you or anything, just curious.  They look great though.

[tyrius.]

Great looking cranks as always, but how come they all seem to have the same feel to the layout? Not knocking you or anything, just curious. They look great though.

Each one of those cranks looks different to me.  Flat sided, rounded, fat bodied, long, etc.  I didn't see two of them that looked the same to me.

[whittler]

Carrothead, its all a matter of personal style. All those baits are different types, minnow, flat-side or fat body but they all reflect Maty's personal touch. When you have looked at a few thousand handmade cranks you will be able to identify its maker by those same personal touches. Its the mark of an artist.

[kbkindle]

a-men  to that  

[BIG M]

Carrothead,

That's a good question and the basic answer is it's an example of the different styles of baits that I can build.  

The body styles are all different, flatside, semi-round, and round baits.    The lip styles and the lip angles along with line tie positions are all just a little different.  All of these factors affect the action and cause a different action in each bait.   Each of those baits will have it's own personality in the water.   Each bait will have it's own situation that right for fishing that particular bait.    I hope that gave a little insight to your question.

[carrothead]

I meant the layout of the paint, not the body.

[ernel]

Carrothead,

Each builder has their own way of painting. After you build so many, you will find a few schemes that normally out fish other schemes. Sometimes, you will find a very complex scheme that works wonders. Other times, you will find a simple scheme that will out fish anything in the tackle box.

If you look at most bait fish, they are light on the bottom, somewhat "flashy" or bright on the sides, and get gradually darker in color as near the top. Most scale patterns are more visible near the "shoulders" approaching the top due to more contrast in colors.

Now look back at all of those cranks. They each follow closely to that pattern that nature created and set in motion over thousands of years. Everything about that pattern makes a baitfish harder for predators to see, both in the water and from above.

Honestly you should see his bluegill scheme. Simply awesome.

Eric

[carrothead]

Oh, okay.  I see.  Didn't mean to sound noobish  :-[, but I just always wondered that.

[BIG M]

I see what you are asking about now.   I really don't have any particular pattern to follow while painting.   I just start shooting paint and if the bait looks good I clear coat it.   If it looks like crap then I prime it and start over.    I don't try to match the hatch, I want my baits to be different from the rest to stand out.  

[Jim45498]

Those baits are beautiful. Bass will attack these. You will have to hide behind a tree to tie one on. ;D

[J-B]

Big M, I am blown away at the skill you have when making these things.  I have never made one but you have sparked my interest.  I have an artistic ability with drawing, painting and airbrushing.  Would you mind pm'ing me with some tips about where I can get parts and some basic starting ideas (instructions) for me?  My nephew recently sarted one from a scrap piece of 2x4 in the garage.  I would love to be able to help him turn it into something that he could be proud of (I sure he will be anyways).

[buzzcatcher]

J-B, You came to the right place, and you asked the right man. Marty's baits are top notch as is he. By the way great work Marty.

David

[Siebert Outdoors]

very nice Big M.

[balsabaiter]

Beautiful work, as always, Marty!!