Black Label/Zoom WEC crank bait help

[Rodney Smith]

I would like to try some of the Black Label crank baits that are based off of the Zoom WEC molds. Can you anyone help me get started with which model (and colors) to start with? I'm thinking maybe  starting with the Hickster and Wreck. Thoughts?

[Jrob78]

Black Label does have a few baits based off of WEC baits, several makers do, but I have no idea if he used the molds as someone said or how close they actually are as I haven't used them.

 

The Wreck is based off of the E-1, the Peanut is based off of the Mutt, the Wobbler is based off of the Wobbler and the Hickster is based off the Hickey. 

[Deleted account]

Molds? Aren't they wood?...

[Jrob78]

8 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Molds? Aren't they wood?...

Lol yeah, mold is definitely not the right word. The machines I've seen are more like carving machines, some of them are very old. There are videos on youtube showing how they're made and how some of the machines can sort of trace an existing bait while "carving" a new one. 

[Rodney Smith]

Ok. Let's try this another way.  Does anyone have any experience with the Black Label crank baits that could help get me started?

[Munkin]

2 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

Lol yeah, mold is definitely not the right word. The machines I've seen are more like carving machines, some of them are very old. There are videos on youtube showing how they're made and how some of the machines can sort of trace an existing bait while "carving" a new one. 

 

Machine is called a duplicator and I believe Cliff Pace bought the machines from Zoom after Ed passed.

 

Allen

[rangerjockey]

I like the Wreck which is based on the WEC E1 which is based on the Bagley B1. Cliff made a great bait ever before he got the duplicators . 

He has a flat side also , which is a copy of the WEC flatside but I haven't tried them as I have some of the original WEC coffin bill flats. The Shad rap copy is a great bait and casts easy.

If I were starting into the world of Balsa squarebills The Wreck in whatever size you like would be a good place to start.

 You can still find some WEC's around but the prices went up after Mr. Chambers death of course.

He was also the owner of Zoom.

As to colors, On table Rock I throw chartreuse black back or as it's called the school buss around here. Then some natural shad and a craw. 

[KP Duty]

 WEC's must have's are (no particular ordet)....

 

E1/E2

Mutt

Hicky

Tapp

Sand flea (not copied yet)

 

WEC's are probably the most copied hardbaits ever.  The Spro 'little john' is a WEC Mutt knock-off.  Bill Norman 'fat boy' is a WEC E1 knock-off.  David fritts used a Zoom Tapp to win a bassmaster event on my home lake (Grand Lake), so it wasn't a surprise when I saw the 'frittside' crank looked very similar to the WEC Tapp/ugly duck.

[Rodney Smith]

I am loving the Black Label wreck (especially the River Bream color). I am also using the Hickster. Is there a deeper diving crank that is based off of a WEC?

[rangerjockey]

I believe he is doing the flatside coffin bill that was the Wec Tapp. I don't know what he calls his version but the WEC that I have will run 8 feet or so.

[KP Duty]

5 hours ago, rangerjockey said:

I believe he is doing the flatside coffin bill that was the Wec Tapp. I don't know what he calls his version but the WEC that I have will run 8 feet or so.

This, but in the pick of the 'slim DD' on TW....it looks like a round bill.  May just be the pic.  The Tapp is a hammer....