Socalswimbait

Shaped the first blank a bit and made a 3 piece swimmer. Going to pour another blank today or tomorrow and start working on finishing the shape and all. But first prototype looking solid IMG_5260.MOV

Molded and poured a resin blank. Got a air bubble in bottom fin so sanded it off. Bottom fin will be smaller on final version. But this is what I’m gonna work with to get to final shape. I prefer to make a resin blank in case I screw up the carving or decide to change the shape or something. I like to know I can go back and start over in case something didn’t work out. But I’m gonna make this guy into a bait just like it is probably. IMG_5254.MOV

Well I decided like usual to add both fins after I shape body. I feel cutting all that material from around fins is too much work. So made fins out of thinner wood and will attach next. Molded a smooth tail and poured a resin one. I think it so much easier to carve details out of resin. No grain to deal with. Started the gill plate and drilled eyes. Prob gonna mold it as is. That way I can tinker with size and shape, cut a lip slot for a billed version and make any changes I see fit.

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Yeah funny how a piece of wood starts talking once you draw a swimbait on it.

Well could t keep y’all waiting to long. Now time to draw the face details and body lines. Bottom fin to be added later.

I like that enthusiasm! My man

Well like always can’t just work on one thing. Working on finishing orders but this thing sitting on my workbench is talking to me and he won’t shut up……haha. So I’m thinking I will add to this post as I do it. If I can remember to take pics and vid’s and than remember to come back and post em. Maybe I can get it cut down and sanded today or tomorrow. If so I will post it up. Hope everyone is having a great day!

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Thank you. slimmed one down and molded it. I was afraid the bigger one would weigh too much if made from resin. So the narrower one here was kinda a test for weight. Still 11 inch. Comes in around 6.5 oz IMG_5011.MOV

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Well been screwing around with some plugs lately for the stripers. New one I’m carving up today. We will see what kind of walk we can get going with it. Hopefully mold a prototype today. 11 inch’s to call up them big girls.

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Thank you!

First time trying for a brown trout pattern. Wake trout has a new suit!! IMG_4653.MOV

Yes!!! In

Just make a 1 piece mold. Glue down master from side that goes in back of bait. I use straws as pour hole. Build small box around it and pour mold material. Cut it out from pour hole down sides a bit. Done deal

Thank you.

Thank niki. I’ll have to try my hand at diff trout patterns. I did a senorita fish in my deep diver for a customer. Came out nice I think. Got the measuring boards stickers. Thank you. IMG_4145.MOV

Heard of feather lite but never used. Resin is denser than water and will sink as Dan said. “Like a rock”. You gotta add micro balloons or you will not have any adjustability with balancing or sink rate. You want the buoyancy of bait fighting the weight you add to keep it keeled. I keep a 5 gallon bucket of micro balloons on hand for bait making. During testing you will use(waste) lots of resin and balloons to get your ratios correct. As Dan and others have said. Notes, take lots of notes and build a formula that works for you.