Pretty or pounded?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

We are now working on the finish we will use on the Working Girl wake Baits.

Remember, I'm just building a better mousetrap and one big complaint about the original is that they show major hook rash and finish deterioration after just one use. So we are looking to build the bullet proof finish to maintain that pattern for a loooong time. Remember, if you don't leave this lure in the mouth of a hog, you tend to have them a good long time.

so I'm getting feedback from some folks that the finish may not be that important, in fact, some guys (Cape Cod Swimbaiters crew) tell me that they don't really LOVE the bait till it looks like it's been through a war.

Some of these guys take the baits and give them a saltwater soak. Makes the hardware "squeek" even more. The same guys, purposely beat the heck out of the bait till it looks worn.

So my question is this.....how important is the life of the finish on baits like these, for you guys??

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Not as important as getting my hands on one in the first place

Seriously though as long as it is decent and holds up pretty well. It doesn't need to be bulletproof for me. I like scuff marks and wear and tear but I don't want a few small chips to turn into half the paint gone within a few casts either.

[Skinnyh2ofishin]

I like 'em pretty pounded!  Like Bassin-Fin@tic said, as long as it doesn't end up losing most of the paint on the first outing (unless it's THAT good an outing!) then I'm happier with a bait that looks like it's been mauled.  I will usually try to prolong the life of the paint as long as possible, but little scuffs and chips are fine with me.

Actually, years ago I read about a study that showed that bass in a tank repeatedly preferred a dull or flat colored bait to the same color bait with a glossy coating, but since fisherman like shiny new lures, lure manufacturers still went with the glossy colors.  This might explain why some baits just keep getting better with age!

[Dad_Golf_Fish]

The most fish-catching lure in my arsenal is a 1/4 ounce Panther Martin (black w/ orange spots) that I have had for over 15 years. This thing has caught bass, trout, bluegill and catfish. It has also pulled up tree limbs and anchor lines that it has snagged. It looks awful! Half the paint is missing from the blade and one of the hooks on the treble is bent at a weird angle. This thing has caught hundreds of fish in the time I have had it.

I have two new ones that are exactly the same. One is still in the package. The reason is that the new one out of the package has never caught a single fish. This is not a confidence thing, it is just a fact. I believe the reason is the irregular flash of the blade on the old one. The blade is gold underneath the paint, so with half the paint gone, it has a unique appearance when spinning.

Don't ask me how I've managed to keep it for so long, but I'm sure now that I've talked about it, I'll probably lose it on my next outing.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

To me, its not the finish that is really important on this type of bait.

The really important thing is keeping the bait waterproof.  Water and wood baits don't mix well together and these things will soak up water when the finish comes off.

I realize that wood baits take a little extra care once the wear becomes noticeable, but something more resistant to chipping away would be nice.

Resin baits, I like 'em with the paint busted up.  Wood baits, not so much...

[-ebby-]

I say make sure it is sealed really well so the wood doesn't soak it up. The paint isn't that important but the bait lasting a long time is.

[MALTESE FALCON]

My buddys and I have some Muskie baits that look like they've been through a war, but they still catch alot of fish.

Falcon

[Branuss04]

I say make sure it is sealed really well so the wood doesn't soak it up. The paint isn't that important but the bait lasting a long time is.

+100000000

Ebby makes a good point.   Also, think about the anglers you are targeting with the low price point.  Your bound to get more "low budget swimbaiters" (No pun intended) that normally buy $10 swimbaits.  Now they buy yours for more, they expect it to be bullet proof and want a long paint life.

To me it doesn't matter.  It's like war wounds.... you wear them proud   ;D .  But with ebby's point, I would like to see the bait itself bulletproof rather than the paint.... you can always repaint a bait., you can't rebuild it.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Well, even with the finish on the few test ones I have, which is much thinner than the next batch will be, they have remained well sealed. Still as buoyant as day 1. I'm curious what we can come up with that's thicker but might settle for something in between. As of right now, the finish lasts much,much,much longer than a Slammer.

[Dan:]

The only knock I have on my limited Slammer experience is that after the first day the paint started to come off. I didn't even catch any fish on it that day. It happened at the rear of the bait where the pins stick though the tail.  The second time I fished it I caught 5 fish in one outing and it got chipped near the joints. I really don't care if the paint comes off but if the wood is exposed then I start to worry about the wood soaking up water.

[whittler]

Water absorbstion is an easy fix no matter what top-coat used. Make the bait from PVC, about the same weight as basswood, and the stuff will not absorb water if your finish is compromised by a rock or some toohty critter.

My father, who was color blind, simply picked baits by picking the one with the most teeth marks when the fishing got tough.

[tritz18]

I like it with a few battle scars but the paint job still has to good condition

[-ebby-]

Well, even with the finish on the few test ones I have, which is much thinner than the next batch will be, they have remained well sealed. Still as buoyant as day 1. I'm curious what we can come up with that's thicker but might settle for something in between. As of right now, the finish lasts much,much,much longer than a Slammer.

Do you seal the wood before the paint and topcoat? I have heard the slammer has a sealer that is soaked into the wood so the paint or topcoat coming off wouldn't affect it much at all.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Well, even with the finish on the few test ones I have, which is much thinner than the next batch will be, they have remained well sealed. Still as buoyant as day 1. I'm curious what we can come up with that's thicker but might settle for something in between. As of right now, the finish lasts much,much,much longer than a Slammer.

Do you seal the wood before the paint and topcoat? I have heard the slammer has a sealer that is soaked into the wood so the paint or topcoat coming off wouldn't affect it much at all.

I dont know if the Slammer wood is sealed, but I know it's not a very good seal if any...

Mine has had water get to the wood.  No doubt...

[bass wrangler569]

I don't have much experience with real swimbaits but some of my best hardbaits hardly have any finish left and they catch fish better  than the day I bought 'em.

[DRhodes]

Not as important as getting my hands on one in the first place

Seriously though as long as it is decent and holds up pretty well. It doesn't need to be bulletproof for me. I like scuff marks and wear and tear but I don't want a few small chips to turn into half the paint gone within a few casts either.

+1

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Can you let an advanced shipment out for those of us that don't need pretty?

Get in line.... ;D

[bilgerat]

I found an old Hula Popper that had been out in the weather for so long the split rings and hooks all but disintegrated. It's one of my best baits now. I made no attempt to clean it up, just new hardware. I just might grab a few baits on sale at the end of the season, strip the hardware and hang 'em on my fence for the winter.....

[fourbizz]

Functional.