I have completed a few prototype swimmers. The largest is 8" turned from a cedar ballister has 2 belly weights and a Danny 2 lip. It floats at rest, wobbles when retrieved, and dives deep on a fast retrieve. The others have similar action except on a fast retrieve they run at surface level and roll sometimes breaking the surface. I'm undecided if they need further tuning or should just be used for slow retrieve. Any suggestions, I know some of you guys have made a million of these.:D

Thats what I am talking about!:D Those are pretty sweet!:drool: Nice color green!

Nice:D

If you think the retreive is to slow..... slow down.

Nice ones.... my only comment is on the middle one. The belly hook looks like it is too far back. Other than that they look great to me :D

A fast retrieve on a test run of a proto is a good way to simulate the pull of a wave.I take alot of bass on the rising crest of a wave.its one of the coolest things to see plug wiggling an out of nowhere a dark presence appears to inhale its quarry.

If ur plug pops out on a fast retrieve U can mark it for flat water or figure out why an change it.More than likely if its poppin out the lip is down pushing water rather than up alowing the plug to dig. the plug may be to light or just improperly balanced.Sometimes a design change like a shaved head is all that is needed.Now if it swims good I might leave it. Wades pop out in the fast water because the cupped colorado type lip just don't let em dig but I caught alot of fish on em cause they swim like mad just lower ur rod to relieve the tension in a wave an u should be ok.In big water they stay in the truck.

Plugs are tools figure that no two are alike an use the right tool for the job.U wouldn't throw a 1oz needle in a big surf with a 25 mph cross wind.well u might but there would be better options

Originally posted by Eben
Nice ones.... my only comment is on the middle one. The belly hook looks like it is too far back. Other than that they look great to me :D

I agree. I would move the belly hook up about half way between the nose and where you have it. Stripers hit the head so you want something there for them to stick on when they hit ;) Might be just the photo, but it seems the widest part of the middle one is further back than the halfway point. On most dannys the center of the plug is the thickest point. This is also where you'll stick a chuck of lead. Like NIB said, if they are swimming like you want them, go with it. The most important thing is what the striped ones think of them :D

Jigman

I appreciate the advice and will consider it when tuning and modifying the 2 shorties.
Meantime I'm making a few more of the 8" proto in different colors and because I have no duplicator they will all be slightly different. I'm hoping they will retain the original action.
I noticed from the picture that the are a little shorter as well.
Hope they swim.:D

Some mor untested prototypes and a couple of NJT needles:D

nice stuff!!!

whats up with the bloodshot one? haha, badass.:D

White over tacky florescent pink=crackle:D

Nice work, love the green ones.;)