Here are my two prototypes for the swap. The first one just got a quick paint job for its test swim. I hope to test the bottle tomorrow. Still trying to decide the final colors and paint job for both.

Split eel is around 3 oz and 11 in long, the bottle will also be around 3 oz with chin and tail weight (I think) just shy of 7". All with treble hooks.

wow
 

nice I didn't think a bottle plug would be in the swap, nice:sled:

Bottles get weight in the arse and midway between the tail and belly swivel. Slug in the chin may make it dig some more. If you want to experiment this is the place to do it. One of my sets is an new type of plug for me.

It has a 5/16th weight in its keister, and I figured I'd try the weight on the chin just to keep it chin turned down. It's minimal weight smallest of all the weights I have so hopefully it won't dig too much. Tried it in the sink last night and it flips over the right way. Have it in the truck to try on a local pond on the way home. Being new at this I should probably of stuck with simpler plugs but I 've never been the one to take the easier way out.

Plugs are looking good. I think we are going to see some nice stuff come out of this swap! I spent a little time making dust over the weekend.

here's some color
 

here's the atom swimmer in color I've been working on. white / pearl silver with tranparent green, I'm thinking river herring springtime:wiggle:

Nice real nice, mine finally finished drying after being sealed, they will be primed and painted today and tomorrow.

First set is about to be painted and the second set is just about dry from the sealer. I'm going to be down to the wire on this one.

ff61...that color is nice! Looks good. Can't wait to see it up close.

My first 6 are being primed and my second six just got dipped. I'll make it but like Striperknight said...I'll be down to the wire.

Guys...this is suppose to be fun. If anyone starts to feel they may need a little more time, just say so.

thanks
 

I'm on my 2nd set cut the lipslot, thru drilled and sealed tonite. there one peice eels , gonna paint them black over purple:soon:

I've got them all turned, all holes drilled, sealed and now I'm waiting....

I wonder if I can speed up the drying process by throwing them in the microwave?

I decided on making dannies (small ones) and "trying" surfsters.

I've got the losies
 

I've got eyes some where, I can see my self puting them away. I'm going nuts:wall:

Motorfish is alive! I was wondering how you were making out. I just sealed my last batch a night ago as well. Not sure about the microwave thing. I have mine in the heated house, hoping they will be dry midweek. Then no sleep for a few days...

I ended up making small "howdys" as well as a small "danny". Both come in at around 1.5oz. I've been wanting to turn some stuff for early spring. It took me awhile to get the danny swimming right. Partially because I couldn't find any unfrozen water.

I have to leave on a business trip Jan 31st and return the 3rd. My thought were to get the packages out on Sat 4th if I had all the plugs. You guys think you can have the plugs to me by Sat? If thats pushing anyone, we can bump it a little. I was just hoping to have the packages out before the 11th. That way you'll see your plugs at your house and not at the plugfest.

I just ordered eyes
 

I just ordered eyes, should take about a week, 2-3 days to epoxy then ship.4 days to the saturday. should make it:boots: maybe I'll find my eyes:wall:

By the way ff61...those eels look nice. I have nothing like that!

eels
 

I figered not too many had them ,most are jointed and outnumbers building a jointed one. its bassed on a old masterlure eel I got. I'll try to post a pic of the masterlure. ed:wavey:

I am alive!!

Was having some minor computer problems with the new PC. But I'm back. No worries.

Wired up a surfster tonight and did the tub test. Swam nicely with the Surfster 2 lip, but I'm wondering if the action would be better with a smaller lip (which I don't have). Soooo . . . I ordered some surfster 1.5 lips from NJT tonight. Hopefully, they'll get here soon. Won't hold me up too much because I can get the dannies done while I wait.

Paint preview
 

They are finally painted this will be going down to the wire with the epoxy. May add a little something to the split eel though.

They look good Kevin.

nice
 

yes there looking great:bgi:

Lower,

What do we need to send you for shipping and could you PM me with the address that you want theses plugs sent to.

Thanks Kevin

here's that eel
 

masterlure eel

Nice design and beautiful paint.

Plugs look nice!. Cant wait to see them. I sent eveyone a PM. If you didnt get it or have any questions let me know. I think were all cutting it close, but it seems as if we may actually make it.

The only one who I haven't really heard recently is from pbrown. Hopefully he chimes in.

thats the real masterlure
 

I don't know how old it is , mut its old:ss:

First 6 done. Epoxy dried nicely...thank goodness. I haven't had a problem with epoxy in quite awhile, but I still get nervous. Really puts a nice finish on a plug but can also screw up a lot of work. I'd post pics, but at this point might as well be suprised right.

I'll be painting and epoxying second 6 over the weekend.

Did everyone get a PM with my address?

I got the PM. It will be a busy weekend of painting and finishing!

i got it
 

I got 12 plugs to epoxy this weekend my fingers are crossed

I'm trying to finish painting tonight and epoxy over the weekend. :faga:

All epoxied just need to finish drying, hookem, package em and mail em.:btu: :gu:

Getting things finnished up in a week or so. I my wife and I just had a baby and things at my house have been busy to say the least. I'll have things together, just a little later than expected. PB

Hey p congratulations enjoy your time with the child it is something you'll never regret. My younger daughter now 19 is one of the most proficient and best fishing buddies I have.

yes
 

congrats:cheers:

Nice to hear from you Patrick. I started asking around if you were alive. Now I understand! I have a 2 yr old and a 4 month old myself. Greatest thing in the world, but it does throw things for a loop. Congratulations.

Good to hear everyone is making progress. Funny how in November making 12 plugs seemed like a breeze.

Thanks everyone!! Everyone is doing fine at home. I'll be the guy with the baby in a backpack on the beach.

I'm stressing
 

epoxy's the hard part for me:shocked: :err:

Tail wraps are my down fall.

new name
 

asked john if he could change my name to stripercrazy( i use stripercrazy on other sites) fishfearme is the start of my email addy. I don't use it much. ed

I may run alittle late
 

I may run a little late I'm epoxying them one at a time. trying to get the lips right. I got 3 eels drying

Take your time. I have one set to epoxy tonight and the other set that needs like an hour of painting then epoxy. Looking to have them in the mail on Thur/Fri. It usually takes about 2 days to get a package up to MA. Don't stress out.