thought I would experiment a little

[WayneChristie]

I enjoy watching decoy and lure carvers, and I have quite a few pike and walleye come to my bait when Im jigging it on slower days. Thought Id try something different and make a decoy of my own just for fun. I dont want it 100 % realistic, I want the predators to think its a gimp so we shall see. just a chunk of pallet board, see if I can give it some new life. No spearing in Alberta but Im pretty sure i could swap it for a bait pretty darn quick. I sometimes jig a rap or other lure, especially my favourite lure, hookless to draw a fish in on the slow days so I figure if nothing else this will be another gimmick on slow days. Ive had pike take walleye and even pike I had hooked so I have high hopes.
starting out just using hand tools to see how it goes.
going to do the fins out of metal .

[Stinky Buffalo]

That's really cool!

Am interested in seeing how it turns out!

[Smoky buck]

If you have any issues getting it to glide or any issues odds are I can give some advice

Oh if you want to add an internal rattle it’s fairly easy. Sorry but I see this kinda project and my brain starts turning lol

[EZM]

This reminds me of your metal fish sculptures ...... are you still doing those Wayne?

I love those ..... a true piece of art ....

This would also be pretty cool I think. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[WayneChristie]

Originally Posted by EZM

This reminds me of your metal fish sculptures ...... are you still doing those Wayne?

I love those ..... a true piece of art ....

This would also be pretty cool I think. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

well, I painted a couple of my older ones after my accident. havent really been able to get my head around the steel yet, but its been 3 years so Im going to make the effort now. Starting this wood my hands just took over, my brains really been missing it I know. being an artist and not able to do it can be quite the stress for me at least, that damn third eye needs to be kept open! Smokey I was already thinking of maybe a couple marbles inside, but I think my prototype will be silent til I know whats what. the fins and tail will be adjustable so hopefully without much weight she should confuse the heck out of some hogs. or not, I have fun doing it anyways!

[Smoky buck]

Definitely interested in seeing how it turns and from seeing your other projects I know you have talent

[WayneChristie]

Originally Posted by Smoky buck

If you have any issues getting it to glide or any issues odds are I can give some advice

Oh if you want to add an internal rattle it’s fairly easy. Sorry but I see this kinda project and my brain starts turning lol

soon as I saw the rough shape it started, so many ideas, but it beats watching reruns and crappy tv thats for sure. now I need to do more!!!! damn addictions anyways

[WayneChristie]

of the Red Herring. I think it turned out about how I wanted it, had to bend the tail just a bit to get a tighter swim circle , if Moby grabs it I want to see it happen!! saw a few pike today even 2 at once but only I big fish and Im only 90% sure it was a pike crappy phone video
https://youtu.be/I5A5d0V6KbA

[WayneChristie]

I liked how my pike pizzeroffer turned out, and now I have the itch, had to start another carving this weekend. It wont be a decoy, its going to a special person for Christmas.Im doing all but the original blank with just hand tools for this one, Takes a lot longer but worth it for this piece. best thing to me is the wood is part of my house, leftover lumber so its even more meaningful. the grain in the wood is amazing so its going to be mostly clear coated. maybe, probably, I dont know it just flows as it goes, I love making art! keeps my head attached most days. Im a lot further along than the first pic but I will post when its finished I still have detailing and fins to do.

[WayneChristie]

I guess I will just add to this post until people get tired of seeing my experiments. I like the way my bigger decoy works and swims, so Im going to downsize and try an actual suspending lure just for fun. this lake white is about 6 1/2 inches long and I will try carving the fins in 1 piece, if that fails i can add them again. Love my bandsaw for cutting the form out, so much time saved! now as soon as I can find the other half of my thumb I can get started! this piece of wood is from my old futon frame, lots of it for more projects, I dont really want to use too much haunted wood unless it attracts more fish

[WayneChristie]

still lots of shaping and detailing, then I have to get the weight right to swim the way I want it to, (sink) but its coming along. pectorals will be smaller once the epoxy sets and I can shape them more but they will be a bit oversize to get the action I want. I keep coming up with more ideas, maybe I will get a few built before ice out. Id love to do a bunch of different types of fish

[Smoky buck]

You have some carving talent Wayne. I think if you keep playing with different designs and weight placements you could come up with something that will really get the pike’s attention

Personally I would go for large peck fins as they will help with the glide. There is a lot of things you can achieve action wise but that all depends on what you are going for. With what you are working on think about how your design catches the water and directs it.

I am looking forward to hearing when a big pike T bones one

[WayneChristie]

I can hope anyways, I got my DVR in the mail today so hopefully I can get some video of this getting destroyed by a 33 pound pike Im hanging a treble under the front of the pectorals and have a mount to hang one behind the tail, or even a twister tail or a spinnerblade. Finally found a use for the *****eral rigs I drag out of the water instead of just tossing them, the wires are perfect for mounting hardware on a plug. have to try it out maybe tomorrow, it took a lot more weight than I thought it would but its got a good nose down dive to it now plus the tail stays off the bottom, so if it gets chased down I can just let them pick it up. or they will all run screaming who knows, I really like doing these wooden creations, Im going to have to do a bunch now in different configurations, this one I dont know what to call it, a diving plug? 6.5 inches long without a tailhook

[fish99]

looking good keep us updated thanks