1st Attempt ...

[teaser]

Okay now guys be gentle on me, but be truthful.
I know I have a long way to go to get good but these are my 1st attempt at making some plugs, I went with a familiar bait scheme.

I'm not going public with these for sale so no worries of another pinhead with a lathe trying to score some cash, these are for me and my friends just to tease the stripers ... I hope!

Well they're made of hard maple, are 5 1/2" long without the bucktail and weigh in at 3 ozs. The small one's are 4" long and weigh 1 1/2 ozs. I swam them at the local YMCA to see how they worked and they worked beautiful in the water.

I hope the stripers like them and I hope I get the seal of approval from you guys, and if the bass don't like them then I'm sure the blues will. Sorry Clammer, not making blues candy on purpose!

Pictures may be a little iffy but I'm not a photographer either, I just hope I'm on the right page in my trials. I have some other colors I'm trying also for at night.

Okay guys, let me have it!

[teaser]

Here's the whole family so far.

[ChiefLinesider]

Unique plugs, Great colors, Cool shapes & look well put together. I probably would have gone with a belly hook though on the longer ones, & made the thru wire wrap @ the tail end but thats personal preference.

Great job.

[Flaptail]

Way cool. How about trying some of those vinyl dangly rubber skirts on them like they have on a spinner bait for (ick) Largemouth fishing. I have seen them in Stamina catalogs that have colors real close to your paint. Your color schemes are very good btw!

[numbskull]

There is a very fine line between a hobby and a mental illness........and you, sir, are heading for trouble. Nicely done.

[Slipknot]

you first timers sure put me to shame. Those look great teaser.
I could suggest on those squid plugs, try drilling your thru wire hole out the side a little from the front (like an Atom reverse) and see how they work then , I think you'll like the results.

[Karl F]

WOW.. it's all been said.. but WOW.. Nice Firsts!!!..

More I see of Firsts.. I'm heading for Lasts

[Skitterpop]

Great! That color scheme is right on. Maybe try a long hackle siwash in mottled beige/dull pink as well?

[Raven]

the color is right on.... i have this theory that a certain shaped head gives
off either a pattern of micro bubbles ,waves (vibrations) that fish pick up on...
and your current retrieve activates it...

i like this one cuz of the red in it... i think it's most Pissah

[Woodbuster]

Your off to a good start!!

[Rockfish9]

Pretty darn sporty for a first timer..... Mine sure werent so nice...

Looks like your allready at the point of no return!

[gone fishin]

First time?? looking reel good. I like the color and the blending - using a airbrush?

[teaser]

WOW!

I'm glad everyone liked them!
Thank you for the kind words, it means alot to me!

I am going to try the suggestions I got and see how they work, I guess this means I have the seal of approval from the masters.

These are not done by airbrush, just rattlecans for now.
I am pretty good with an airbrush and can't wait to experiment on some later but for now it's just trying to find the right colors that I think will work.

Raven, the one you like is done with a red base paint then shot with black along the edges and finished off with the gold to green paint I bought at M&D's this past weekend, nice guy that Mike!

Hope to have some other plugs later, made a copy of a needle as you can see in the pic, I try to learn from the masters.

I found out, keep my mouth shut, my ears open ... and I will learn!
This has been my daily motto since my dad 1st started me on this sickness called "fishing".

Thanks again guys! <--- That's me grinning from era to ear!

[ProfessorM]

Very nice .

[Bernzy]

Very nice

The only thing I would change is that I would put the thru wire wrapped loop at the tail (or eye end) of the plug.

I see potential problems with the wrapped loop at the line tie end.

But that's MHO.

Bernzy

[Swimmer]

Look awesome teaser.

[Charleston]

At first I did not like the wire wrap in the nose. Then I realized that you did it that way to facilitate putting the treble hook on without having to cut it or use a split ring. That in my opinion is damn good thinking!
Good start!

[Lower]

I'm no master, but those are looking good. Can't wait to hear if the bass agree!

[Bernzy]

Originally Posted by Charleston

At first I did not like the wire wrap in the nose. Then I realized that you did it that way to facilitate putting the treble hook on without having to cut it or use a split ring. That in my opinion is damn good thinking!
Good start!

I just looked at the potential of having the leader come in contact with the cut end of the nose loop wrap while fighting a fish.
I'd rather use a cut treble or an HD split ring at the tail or eye end of the plug.
Again, just MHO

Bernzy

[Karl F]

Originally Posted by Charleston

At first I did not like the wire wrap in the nose. Then I realized that you did it that way to facilitate putting the treble hook on without having to cut it or use a split ring. That in my opinion is damn good thinking!
Good start!

Very Simple to do a tail wrap, and include putting the treble on, after you make the loop, and before you start the wrap... have done it several times, and it works out just fine.....

[Bernzy]

Originally Posted by Karl F

Very Simple to do a tail wrap, and include putting the treble on, after you make the loop, and before you start the wrap... have done it several times, and it works out just fine.....

Also, at some point in time you WILL have to replace the tail treble.

Split rings, open eye Siwash or an open eye (or cut) treble are the only options.

Bernzy

[johnny ducketts]

Great work!!

I have yet to seal my first batch, I'm psyched to learn that you can accomplish that with rattle cans. That gives me hope for my first paint job!! what would you use to seal plugs? I'm thinking boiled linseed oil. does that sound about right?

[ChiefLinesider]

Originally Posted by johnny ducketts

Great work!!

I have yet to seal my first batch, I'm psyched to learn that you can accomplish that with rattle cans. That gives me hope for my first paint job!! what would you use to seal plugs? I'm thinking boiled linseed oil. does that sound about right?

I use West System. Its expensive. But in small runs of plugs its manageable since you wont use much at all. & the plugs will come out like tanks. & no long drying times.... Im always too impatient to wait.


I use pipe cleaners to get in the thru hole.

[johnny ducketts]

Thanks Chief , I will try that

[fishatin]

I agree with putting the wire (wrap) at the
hook end and the cleaner loop at the point
of connection to the running line...this is
standard procedure...but looking great none
the less. it F-c-s me? I'd f--- me.