Jonister

Thanks! I like the action pretty well. Seems these days I spend more time making lures than going fishing

I went with hard fins. Just out of ease and I love carving. I'll see how it fishes. Got everything ready to test ballast and such, just being slow.

I've taken a dip net and drug that around before. It worked too. I was from the bank of a runoff canal so swimming wasnt inviting. My dip net has two 8 or 10 foot extensions or you can make them yourself. Those cheap poly Walmart nets won't drag lots of water. Just a thought

I never looked for open eyes, I believe I bought zinc plated but don't see why you couldn't get them in stainless. Heck maybe I got the stainless ones and am just spacing. Have you tried opening them with a big pair of lineman pliers, kleins, etc? The wire cutter end on big ones worked for me, and I managed to not cut the eye itself. Just use the cutter end as a wedge. I'm sure your typical Diags would work too. It you are really into it, make a die and press them open on a vise.

I found the right slammer eyes at Lowes for pretty cheap 25 or 50 packs. I think I even read somewhere if I remember correctly that slammers are actually just lowes brand eyes anyway?

I had a duo but lost it to a log. They are so versatile too! Throw em like a jerkbait or fish them like a spinnerbait. Can't go wrong! Your right. swimbaits, swimbaits.

I'm a 3. Somewhere in between. It seems these days I like making baits more than fishing them, so when I get out I throw whatever is fun. Sometimes I just bring my swimbait rod and have at it, whereas other times I'll throw anything. Most days I spend more time screwing around and tweaking with baits over actually focus fishing. I sure do learn a ton. Either way I'm having fun, it sure beats work and whatever else needs to be done. @danthefisherman I looooove spybaits! My favorite bait to make and throw.

If you fish rivers, I'd pay a lot of attention to current and tides as well. Around here for some reason it seems they aren't even awake some nights. Nothin' works. I guess don't give up if you strike out a couple nights. Sometimes it can be crazy fun fishing. That being said, I've had some spooky situations in the dark. Think about safety as well. Consider going with a group or friends.

Getchaself a foam ear plug and stick'er right in the top for your buoyancy. If I'm understanding correctly, you cut vent areas but not all the way through? If the mold is sealed, that tail section still can't vent without a place for the air to go. A carved pocket will not displace the air as it also contains air. If it's small enough and you have the ability, might also try a vacuum chamber if you can work fast enough

Tackle Underground is a great bait making forum that has years worth of threads on it. Everything you could ever want to know on just about any sort of bait. I actually came here from there. YouTube as stated above is great as well. Different woods have different properties, but in general any type will work with pros or cons. I second a easy to manipulate wood such as cedar, as it is readily available and cheap at most hardware stores.

Give it some time and keep saving! If you find the right yak and it is made with quality, it will last you a very long time. My kayak is probably the best fishing purchase I have made. It took me a while not only to get the funds but also to find the right yak for my style of fishing. A lot of places will let you rent for a small test price. Well worth the test, especially on pedal and higher end paddle craft. From what I've seen, most if not all pedal drives are quite high In price. Good for fishing but hard on the bank. Good luck! Dont rush a decision!

I third the burr. Works for many things. Hand tools are your safest bet for hinge joints

Thankyou. If you weight correctly, just about any bait can glide. This one does so very well. I have another of similar size that got most of the weight in the head and it does not glide as far. Still swims good though. As you state, the smaller ones can't glide nearly as far as big ones due to length.

Thanks guys! I'll probably go soft for fear of bad hookups otherwise. I figure that way if someone doesn't want them, just take em out

Thank you! I am likely going to mold it whole so I can pour blanks and cut joints accordingly. Makes it more versatile if I can get a jig down to cut accurately.