I'm new to this and I hope I can get some help from any turners who have made a few extras. I would like to find (purchase) some plug blanks. Poppers are my main interest at this point but other styles would be nice too. I can use some maple and beech but basswood, poplar, mahogany are closer to what I want.

I interviewed Stan Gibbs for an article several years ago at his home near the Sagamore Bridge and Cape Cod Canal. He related a lot of information, but of most interest, was the fact that his original lures were all made of basswood and weighted for proper floatation.

Stan was miffed with new owners of the lure company, a relative and his wife, because of their cost cutting moves. It seems they changed the wood and therefor the action of all the lure as one of the first business decisions. "The lure has to sit in the water properly and the head has to be up so you can work it right. The lead has to be in the right spot to achieve this. I worked a long time and did a lot of casting here in the canal to get it right".

I intend to see for myself if I can duplicate his results. If anybody could help me I would be very greateful.

I am also new to plug building and I am suprised that you havn't gotten more of a response from some of the advanced and expert plug builders out there.
When you get answers to some of your questions please post them here.
I, for one , am interested.

Bernzy

TDM, sorry I guess I missed this one.

I think Plug Builders Supply in Hopkington sells plug blanks but I don't know what kind of wood they are and they are a little pricey.

For poppers you could just buy dowel stock and cut to length,shape the ends with a belt sander or something then drill it out.

I kinda learn as I go along and see what works and what doesn't.

We carry plug wood blanks in sugar pine (the best wood for lure making), jelutong (the 2nd best), and maple (okay wood). The prices per blank range from about $0.79 to $1.99 each depending on size.

Let me know if you're interested. :)

Thanks!

- Erik
TackleMaking.com

...forgot to mention...we can go basswood too (but I wouldn't recommend it - the wood holds tiny air pockets and is VERY prone to deterioration over time) However, it's a great wood if you're just making a few baits for your own personal use - very easy to work with.

- Erik

I am new to this forum and actually dont know squat about making plugs, yet. However I had always heard that the old timers went to great lenths to get western cedar. is this wrong? Why is yellow pine considered so good, it's kind of a heavy wood?
Changeling

I would like to find some cedar lure blanks in the 3 to 6 inch size. Can anyone help?
Changeling

I just got some western red and the stuff is expensive. I lucked out and got it for almost half price, it was more than the guy that ordered it needed.

Anyone have the phone # for Plug builders Supply??

508-429-6561. Proprietor is Jim Brown

thank you my man.