First pic is oviously still on the lathe, second pic is through-wired and swim test ready, as is the third pic. The lips are different, surfster as opposed to a danny type lip on the second and third pictures.

Top pic is a 6 5/8 inch Frech darter, one of which is heading your way John. Second is a slightly larger than usual surfster that has a really tight, hardly any roll swim to it. Third is a fatboy surfster that again has a great tight swim pattern.

Does this watercolor look like anyone's avatar?

very nice swimmer. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Nice job Frank!

Does this watercolor look like anyone's avatar?

The late Crafty Angler, Chuck.....

Nice looking swimmers. How does your Frech darter swim? Were you saved from Darter Hell?

The caps locks made it important i read this post, thanks for the caps
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Nice looking swimmers. How does your Frech darter swim? Were you saved from Darter Hell?

The darter has very nice wiggle. I tried a heavier weighting than just "00" and while the lure still swam well, it wasn't as responsive, so the "00" wins. The last time I made these they were in maple. While Frech made them from maple, and in the 6 5/8 model in the canal they caught fish, I know that just about everyone makes thiers from ayc. Using the same layout, weighting, minus the forward hook placement, using only one belly hook, I love how this ayc darter swims.
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I'm not sure I know what "00" is; is that a double-aught shot of lead?

Congratulations on its successful design -- especially with the single-belly-hook (I prefer single belly hooks on all my lures as well.)

I haven't had the nerve to dive into darters yet. I just started messing with metal lips and it's a whole learning curve unto itself.

Buckshot, "00", 1/8 oz., .32 caliber, multi-use piece of lead. Nine in a shotgun shell.
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