James Bailey Posted May 10, 2021 Report Share Posted May 10, 2021 I started playing around 3 years ago trying to make a swimbait, the thing was a huge block of wood shaped like a bluegill and I painted it straight green. It wasn't that flashy but it swam and had followers. I went on to make a second one that was a 3 piece bait it has a horrible paint job on it but I was learning at the time. (it's the bait in my hand) I ended up getting a 3D printer. I had some model making experience and hoped I could make something cool. My first testy was literally a block with holes for hardware and my second test was the trout on top. After experimenting back and forth I returned to a bluegill shape and got a pretty nice looking lure. even though it looked great to me I still thought something was missing. I asked my buddy what he though and his response was "Bet you cant put scales on it" so I took that as a challenge and ended up making the bluegill bait you see at the bottom. I've molded it and am currently testing it, making it has made me appreciate the work builders put into their baits even more. As soon as I catch a fish on it you know I'm gonna be thrilled. ThatKidInNY, Jim137a, brootalititties and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatKidInNY Posted May 11, 2021 Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 Nice looking bait James, I remember watching your video on YouTube when I first learned about big baits. That Bullgill fish was nice! James Bailey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Bailey Posted May 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2021 1 hour ago, ThatKidInNY said: Nice looking bait James, I remember watching your video on YouTube when I first learned about big baits. That Bullgill fish was nice! Thanks man, that day hooked me into this community. I had went to buy a setup that could throw the bullgill glide and we were testing it at a pond we usually catch dinks at. When I caught mine it was crazy and then my buddy got his like 30 minutes later on the other side. I started carving about a month after that video. ThatKidInNY 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthefisherman Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 Looks great! James Bailey 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchduh Posted May 12, 2021 Report Share Posted May 12, 2021 Looking good man, the profile and paint are beautiful! What material and technique do you use to get the tail like that? Trying to steer clear of the hard plastic tails for a couple builds. James Bailey and Luke h 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Bailey Posted May 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 13 hours ago, Mitchduh said: Looking good man, the profile and paint are beautiful! What material and technique do you use to get the tail like that? Trying to steer clear of the hard plastic tails for a couple builds. It's all resin, I made the tail in blender and 3d printed it in PLA plastic and molded it. I want to get into making silicone tails as well, so if you figure something out let me know. Mitchduh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchduh Posted May 13, 2021 Report Share Posted May 13, 2021 13 hours ago, James Bailey said: It's all resin, I made the tail in blender and 3d printed it in PLA plastic and molded it. I want to get into making silicone tails as well, so if you figure something out let me know. I wish I had a different method than mine at the moment, just use hard polycarbonate sheet and cut to size. Which works just has no give at all, Might try to carve some tails out and cast them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsouth Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 polycarbonate is not so bad if you have certain tools..... very easy to work, if you have the knowledge and tools. If you don't it can be quite troublesome and potentially pain experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azsouth Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 potentially painful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchduh Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 The profile on the bluegill is incredible. Hinge design and all. Looks like it will swim like a champ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBound Posted May 14, 2021 Report Share Posted May 14, 2021 Awesome looking gill. Excellent work man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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