home made top water

jungleboy · #1 08-08-2011, 09:34 PM

So I have finally got around to finishing a couple top water lures after much trial and error . I made them on the lathe and painted them with standard acrylic craft paints and a brush. I had big intentions of doing them with an air brush and having these works of art that I could rival the store bought ones , but my air brush skills leave much to be desired so I just hand painted em and then coated them with clear varithane. They are untested but hopefully that will happen this weekend.

horsetrader · #2 08-08-2011, 09:37 PM

Im no expert believe me..........but look very good to me

ghostguy6 · #3 08-08-2011, 10:44 PM

Looks good. Where are you located? I might be able to help you out with the airbrushing if your in Edmonton.

Dust1n · #4 08-08-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horsetrader

Im no expert believe me..........but look very good to me

x2

chubbdarter · #5 08-08-2011, 10:57 PM

Those look incredible....keep up the good work

jungleboy · #6 08-08-2011, 11:13 PM

Thanks guys

and I would love some Pointers on the airbrush Ghost , I'm in Stony Plain.

Hunter Trav · #7 08-09-2011, 09:37 AM

I'm thinking those would do just fine catching some pike, and maybe even a wally or two. Nice work.

walking buffalo · #8 08-09-2011, 10:57 AM

THey look great, I like the paint job. Personally, I prefer your Artwork over the look of mass produced Store bought plugs.

What are the bodies made from?

Did you test them for balance and action before painting?

densa44 · #9 08-09-2011, 12:17 PM

The plugs look fine, that red and white one will surprise you. If you are fishing for pike and even if you aren't, I'd run a ss wire through the lure to the hook.

Great work.

jungleboy · #10 08-09-2011, 09:15 PM

I made them from spruce (cut up 2x4) and the screw eyes I put in with epoxy. I did put them in a tub of water with hardware on em before i painted ,to make sure the would float upright but i didn't have a place to actually test the action so i am taking a chance on that.
And ya the more i look at em the more I like the folk artsy look they have . i did one tonight and used a couple of different colored sharpy pens to paint them with and that worked pretty good as well.

Alberta Bigbore · #11 08-10-2011, 12:11 AM

those look like they could be very effective

Gust · #12 08-10-2011, 12:36 AM

that's pure art,, nice plugs

walking buffalo · #13 08-10-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jungleboy

I made them from spruce (cut up 2x4) and the screw eyes I put in with epoxy. I did put them in a tub of water with hardware on em before i painted ,to make sure the would float upright but i didn't have a place to actually test the action so i am taking a chance on that.
And ya the more i look at em the more I like the folk artsy look they have . i did one tonight and used a couple of different colored sharpy pens to paint them with and that worked pretty good as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by densa44

The plugs look fine, that red and white one will surprise you. If you are fishing for pike and even if you aren't, I'd run a ss wire through the lure to the hook.
Great work.

I'm glad to hear you are becoming hooked on the folksy look. Your baits are much more unique and personal this way.

Two suggestions.

Use Basswood. You can get it at specialty wood shops. It's not expensive, and much better for making, Casting, and action of the plugs. In Calgary, you can get it at Black Forest.

Run a wire through the body for attaching the hooks and eye. It would suck to have the big girl pull a screw out. If just a bit of water gets in the screw hole, it will lose most of it's holding strength.

Now make some 12-18" plugs!

jungleboy · #14 08-10-2011, 06:49 PM

I actually have some basswood , I thought I would use it after i made a few first as it is a bit pricey. i got it fro windsor plywood. I did a couple out of maple as well thinking they will works as sub surface lures

densa44 · #15 08-10-2011, 09:02 PM

Basswood as I recall is poplar which you should be able to get free in Alberta. Basswood is a soft deciduous clear wood, just like poplar. Clear white pine will work fine too, it allows carving, if you are good at it.

If you can't get the wire through at this point, I'd carefully saw the plug down the middle with a coping saw, put in the wire, carefully epoxy it back together. It will work just fine.

The red and white one, as someone has said can be made very large, 8' to 12" with a large scoop in the front. They are fished by pulling them hard after a long cast, let it sit for a bit then give it a large "Gloop". Large mouth bass, pike and musky will love it.