Big Danny Help

[nightfighter]

TDF and Steel,
Pouring is pretty straightforward, in the shop. When you need, we will take the maple or poplar and drill out the size you need. I heat in a ladle normally used for setting in toilet flanges. (I need turned bodies )

[steelhead]

Yooo. Nightfighter!!! I smell a trade! 1/2" x 1/2" slugs for bodies!Smells good to me! TDF, Hitting Kittery Trading Post on their kayak demo day in March. I'll take a look at the musket balls as well!

[NIB]

I'm a big hook guy.There are a few things u should know 1 3/8 is to far forward for the front hook its gonna tangle on the line I go 1 1/2 back min.then 2 7/8 -3 " to the back hook.Thats plenty of rm for 4/0's.Some like to tighten up on the front or back hook some to keep the weight in the plugs axis but i like to make sure the big hooks don't tangle. U gotta be carefull U don't want the weight to kill the action of the plug.U put that tail hook to far back an the lip don't wanna drag it.In old days the big hook was also the keel weight in alot of plugs thats why 5/0 where so well used.If u go 4/0 a 1/4 by 1/4 piece of a nj tackle tail wieght will be more than enough lead.Especially bein u are usin what looks like pine which could be slightly heavier.I like to make the tail thinner this enables em to work easier.If u notice the pic of the beachmaster danny the body has more taper from midsection to tail.I take that a little further.I love big danny's.There's nothing like slingin big wood an havin it get killed.

[steelhead]

Nib, You're right, That's pine. that's what I've got lying around right now. I have no idea how old it is. Came from my Mom's basement.
Only got enough to do one more, maybe two. It sure drank from the well when I dipped it this AM. My final hook holes are 1 3/4" back from the from the front and 4 7/8" back from the front. Centered the belly weight hole.

Also have a piece of mahogany that's thick enough. What do you think? Or should I save that for something else?

[numbskull]

NIB, what were Dannys originally made from? I'd always assumed it was pine, but why I don't recall.