How are mass produced crankbaits painted?

[KP Duty]

I'm a creative 'right brain' person, but I can't envision how they pull this off....especially the more complex patterns.  

[BigAngus752]

Surprisingly...by people.  Before I saw this video I thought this was the most logical answer, but with modern technology I assumed it was something I had never seen.  As usual, Occam's razor turns out to be the answer. 

 

 

 

[A-Jay]

I was coming here to post this same video ~

A-Jay

[ike8120]

Very informative video, thanks for the link.

[KP Duty]

That's a great video...I thought there was no way they were all hand painted.  Those workers were movin'! 

[garroyo130]

40 minutes ago, KP Duty said:

That's a great video...I thought there was no way they were all hand painted.  Those workers were movin'! 

 

The powers that be make sure they stay efficient ... or else 

[casts_by_fly]

As a fishman and also supply chain professional and engineer by training, that's awesome to see.  I've been in quite a few factories around the world from full manual setups to fully automated setups.  I would never have guessed how manual it was for crankbaits (and presumably many of their other lures).  The stencils make so much sense and I never would have considered it.

[MAN]

Our factory uses brass stencils that clamp around the lures with skillet tongs.  Each stencil is a very small shape or pattern and sometimes it can be up to 10 stencils for 1 lure pattern.  If very intricate its pad printed. 

[Pat Brown]

Just makes me even more confident in the quality of my Strike King hard baits!  They're an awesome manufacturer.

[ironbjorn]

23 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

Surprisingly...by people.  Before I saw this video I thought this was the most logical answer, but with modern technology I assumed it was something I had never seen.  As usual, Occam's razor turns out to be the answer. 

 

 

 

That each one goes through the test tank blows my mind considering over half of the Red Eye Shads I buy will never run straight. I've heard every excuse in the book for these things. I LOVE the 1.5 squarebills though. 

[BigAngus752]

I have to agree. 

[Functional]

Pretty cool to see the process. Kind of makes it make more sense when one lure performs great, you lose it and its replacement doesnt do as well as the original. As much as these are manufactured they are really hand made in the end. 

[FishTank]

4 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

That each one goes through the test tank blows my mind considering over half of the Red Eye Shads I buy will never run straight. I've heard every excuse in the book for these things. I LOVE the 1.5 squarebills though. 

 

I have had good luck with the 6XD. Outside of the hook quality being not so good,  this bait has been solid for me.

 

But on the other hand,  any other bait from SK, including the Red Eye Shad, has been questionable for me. Out of the ones I have purchased and the tons my buddy buys,  I might see 1 in 3 that run the way I like. I think someone is sleeping at the test tank. One thing though,  painting has come a long way over the years. It is a work of art that we fisherman often take for granted. 

[Columbia Craw]

Pretty impressive, especially the treble hook installation: