LUV-2-CATCH'EM Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 (edited) Dan-I have been going back this this post since you started it...From the beginning I have been super impressed but the detail and use of minimal tools. Really show your talent and patience on your bait. I keep going back to see the additional progress and every time even more impressed. Really gives motivation to any guy who wants to try making his own bait. Keep up the killer work man! Edited September 8, 2017 by LUV-2-CATCH'EM Deltaman, BOZ, danthefisherman and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Update: Yesterday I finally got the bait perfectly weighted and ready for one last test session (hopefully)! Threw her out for a swim at the lake, got one good glide out of her, and then the tuning weights fell out. I forgot to bring my ballast weights with me, but it's a good thing I took pictures of the amount and location of installed weight otherwise I would have nothing to go by haha Dan-I have been going back this this post since you started it...From the beginning I have been super impressed but the detail and use of minimal tools. Really show your talent and patience on your bait. I keep going back to see the additional progress and every time even more impressed. Really gives motivation to any guy who wants to try making his own bait.Keep up the killer work man! Hey Justin, thank you so much for the encouraging words! It really motivates me to do my best and excel with what I have when guys say that they find inspiration to give baitmaking a go in and from my work. This is a big part of the baitmaking appeal for me...being able to share the building process with fishermen around the world and integrate their feedback into my work. I think it's awesome and consider this whole endeavor as a collaborative effort. I love your soft baits btw! Very unique and refined...plus guys are catching on them, so that's even better! Keep up the good work! LUV-2-CATCH'EM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 I'm in the process of discovering just how hard it is to consistently tune a glide haha. This bait loves to blow out with each sharp snap of the rod! I've been testing different amounts and placements of ballast weight, but now there are so many holes in my first prototype that I was forced to pour another one yesterday. Also decided that I need some sort of testing pool so that I don't have to take a trip out to the lake between every new tuning session. The bathtub isn't quite big enough lol But I will persevere! All the struggle will be way worth it in the end! BigSlant, trav, fishnchips35 and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainryan Posted September 15, 2017 Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Love hat mold, could always do a multi joint to keep your sanity danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishinpunk Posted September 15, 2017 Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Agree with Ryan, that mold is awesome! Wish I had some solid advice. Maybe put the joint further back so the body is bigger/tail smaller ? I got really lucky with mine, it glides better than most of my purchased baits, now can I duplicate it? massbass10 and danthefisherman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean20 Posted September 15, 2017 Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Have you tried different combinations of tungsten powder and micro-balloons for the top/bottom of the bait? I haven't used tungsten powder, but one technique I've used with success is pouring approximately half the bait with resin only (which is naturally more dense than water), letting that cure, then pouring the remainder of the bait with micro-balloons mixed in. This gives the bait a natural ballast with no additional weights necessary! It takes several pours to get it right, so if you try this method, make sure you take note of the proportions you use each pour so you can zero in on a good ratio. danthefisherman and massbass10 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Love hat mold, could always do a multi joint to keep your sanity Thanks Ryan! Yep, that's always an option haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 (edited) Agree with Ryan, that mold is awesome! Wish I had some solid advice. Maybe put the joint further back so the body is bigger/tail smaller ? I got really lucky with mine, it glides better than most of my purchased baits, now can I duplicate it?Hmmm maybe I'll have to try this. When I was designing the bait I did note that many glides have shorter tails and longer head sections, but then there are others with joints in the middle or even further towards the head. I ended up placing the joint a little behind the midpoint. What I'm trying to figure out is if the problem is with my joint or with my ballast... which could make all the difference in my next course of action Dude, I really like your glide Jeff! Are they only personal baits or do you make them available for people? Edited September 15, 2017 by danthefisherman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Have you tried different combinations of tungsten powder and micro-balloons for the top/bottom of the bait? I haven't used tungsten powder, but one technique I've used with success is pouring approximately half the bait with resin only (which is naturally more dense than water), letting that cure, then pouring the remainder of the bait with micro-balloons mixed in. This gives the bait a natural ballast with no additional weights necessary! It takes several pours to get it right, so if you try this method, make sure you take note of the proportions you use each pour so you can zero in on a good ratio. Hey Sean! No, I have not tried tungsten powder. It sounds expensive and complicated haha. I've received multiple comments recommending the pure resin ballast method but haven't actually tried it out yet. My main concern is whether the change in densities would weaken the bait's structural integrity and if I would be able to pour a smooth transition or not. If you can shed some light on whether my concerns are legit that would be great! If standard tuning fails all together, I will definitely look into this. Thanks for your input! sean20 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean20 Posted September 15, 2017 Report Share Posted September 15, 2017 Hey Sean! No, I have not tried tungsten powder. It sounds expensive and complicated haha. I've received multiple comments recommending the pure resin ballast method but haven't actually tried it out yet. My main concern is whether the change in densities would weaken the bait's structural integrity and if I would be able to pour a smooth transition or not. If you can shed some light on whether my concerns are legit that would be great! If standard tuning fails all together, I will definitely look into this. Thanks for your input! In my experience, I've never had an issue with the bait failing at the transition. Resin does a pretty good job adhering to resin. I typically pour the bottom half, wait until it's almost cured, then pour the second half. I never remove the bait from the mold. This will help keep the transition smooth. Pouring the top half while the bottom half is 90% cured also helps. It's hard enough at that point to prevent too much mixing, but soft enough for both pieces to become one. danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2017 In my experience, I've never had an issue with the bait failing at the transition. Resin does a pretty good job adhering to resin. I typically pour the bottom half, wait until it's almost cured, then pour the second half. I never remove the bait from the mold. This will help keep the transition smooth. Pouring the top half while the bottom half is 90% cured also helps. It's hard enough at that point to prevent too much mixing, but soft enough for both pieces to become one. Good to know, thanks Sean! The resin I am currently using cures pretty fast so it might make things difficult, but I have access to some slow set resin too so maybe that will be easier to start with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltaman Posted September 17, 2017 Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Don't do that half resin with balloons stuff. Blow out does NOT have anything to do with ballast. Now have fun figuring it out PS. I just saved you 3 weeks of work. Lol! Rogervang, Graphite.Greg and danthefisherman 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted September 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2017 Don't do that half resin with balloons stuff. Blow out does NOT have anything to do with ballast. Now have fun figuring it out PS. I just saved you 3 weeks of work. Lol! Thanks, Clayton haha. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon! Deltaman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltaman Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 Dan, you figure it out yet? Post up a swim video for us to look at danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted October 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 Dan, you figure it out yet? Post up a swim video for us to look at I think I'm close, but I can't do it and feel like giving up!!! So frustrating!!! Deltaman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.