bobk

Making baits is fun, catching fish on them is fun. The more you do, the better you will become. Be your own best critic, as no one will test them as you will. Once you get the action you want, then start better cosmetics, cuz people are visual and spoiled, ha,ha. Fish are just looking for Food.

Carp are not dumb. Have watched them slurping threadfins floating down river on top stunned by the generating, and watched them slapping threadfin running the banks early morning with their tails to stun them. I, too had a big one take a crank bait, once, and thought I had as big bass. Big let down, ha.

I am sorry, posted in wrong area and did not explain it very well. Can delete this. Thanks.

Any one know pearls and what they do for a bait?

Ever hooked a pike, Dave?, Ha, ha...

I have several from 3-5 inches that are very similar to the pic in soft plastic. I use lead heads or belly weighted hooks on em. Not for sale but sweet little numbers baits.

It costs a small fortune to sue, nowadays, and no guarantee of success. I find it hard to believe that BP would copy a patented bait unless they know something we don't. I had a manufacturer tell me one time, that they would prefer to sue a large company with the bucks, than a small garage bait builder, for obvious reasons. Ken is covering his tracks at the get go, this time, as he lost all of his money spent on his last suit. Patents are only good, if you can afford to enforce them, which leaves out the little guys. Buzzards are always in the trees, waiting and watching, ha...

I started these swimtailed baits years ago with the wedgetail, and have helped several swimbait manufacturers with baits of this type. I feel for Ken and wish him well in his defense attempt. Just visually looking at the side view of the Bp bait ,and not having one in hand, it looks to be an exact copy of Kens, except for a weird little bump on the bottom rear portion of the tail. BP should have contacted me, and I could have built them a tail of their own,ha...

Very nice...

As far as patents go, It sticks in my mind that the wedgetail patent runs out next year. Someone that knows how to look it up could verify this. If this be so, anyone can use the design at that time. I remember when Mr. Twister had the patented boot tail sassy shad. When their patent ran out, everyone started making their own baits and the original tail started evolving to where it is today.

Good for you, Matt, its about time,ha... Can't wait to see em...

For me it is profile and action close to the baitfish you want to imitate. Size and shape would vary by locality and prey size, and their forage.

Well....., You may want to go outside and lick the flag pole to kinda take your mind off yer immediate problem, hee hee.

It is not a fact that there are no new ideas out there, just very few who have them. there is no stopping knockoffs, unless your pockets are well lined.