Proto 3 - Shallow Flat Hybrid (w/vid)

[Stringjam]

Well, my original intention was get out to the lake this week and test my other two protos and get them worked up, but it's too gnarly to get out.

Because of the gnar, I've been stuck inside working on more prototypes.

This is a flat/round hybrid in the vein of a "Little Petey" style of flat crank (definitely not a copy - - just the overall vibe that you go for with that type of design - - this lure has a pretty sharp taper to the tail, and also a tapered and pointed nose).

It's been a real PITA for some reason carving this up and putting it together.

Once again, the action is a little wider than I want, so I may work on that.

Here's the obligatory tub video.

[bnwcrankin]

Sweet man! Let us know how it run's when you thaw out...

[flippinfly]

Cool!! I like the profile.

[bmadd]

I really like that body shape! I like that action too. I'd definitely like to throw it for a while 

[BIG M]

Jon, the bait looks great as is with a very nice action.

If you want try something, put the line tie right on top of the lip or in the lip right in front of the nose.   I'm afraid the lip has too much angle to tighten that action up very much.   You could try a 20 degree lip angle with the line tie right on top of the lip.   You have a couple of baits with that combo in your box

[crankster76]

first of all, howdy.new here.that bait is right up my alley.bait looks good. I build cranks myself and was wondering what you are use'n for a clear coat....

[Stringjam]

Alright - - - here's the variations on a theme.

This is more up my alley - - tight, lively action.

A slight modification, and now it's a big tail kicker. (sorry about the darkness - I blew a bulb)

[bmadd]

I think the original is still my favorite. All of them do look good though. Very nice looking shape and actions on all of your baits so far.

[SkilletSizeBass.]

Looks cool, nice action Jon. They are going to be sweet when completed.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Sweet bait!! Personally, I like the original action the best. I have eight baits that I've built in the last month, but since I'm iced-in, I haven't been able to test them. I've already got a horrid case of cabin fever, with atleast three more months of ice.

Have fun, and keep up the good work with those baits.

Falcon

[bmadd]

I know you're still in the proto phase but I'm ready to see a finished bait!

[Stringjam]

I know you're still in the proto phase but I'm ready to see a finished bait!

I know....if I could ever actually get to the lake to do some real testing on these that might actually happen!   

[whittler]

I lke the action of the original the best. A great looking bait by the way, should be a killer.

Have a lot of testing to do myself next week, even with the ice. I'm lucky that I can use the high school swimming pool when class is not in session. Hard to beat gin clear water and known depths plus 72deg. while there is a foot of snow outside.

[nick76]

what are you using to shape this material.  Are you still just using a bandsaw or scroll saw and some sandpaper or something else?

[crankster76]

if you brought the line tie down on the bill it would give you a tighter wiggle and an action thats hard to beat....

[Stringjam]

if you brought the line tie down on the bill it would give you a tighter wiggle and an action thats hard to beat....

Crankster - - I've actually found just the opposite. By raising the line-tie I've been tightening up the action, and lowering it makes it significantly wider (the last "wide action" video has the tie actually touching the lip). 

The 3 different actions in the videos are all from 3 different positions of the line-tie.

People seem to like the original the best - which is the "center" of the 3 different positions I've tried. I could see myself making the bait in all 3 positions based on what kind of conditions I want to throw the bait in.

[Stringjam]

what are you using to shape this material. Are you still just using a bandsaw or scroll saw and some sandpaper or something else?

Just a scroll saw, a snap knife, and some sandpaper.