Nice darter and others too but I like darters
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Nice bottles Dave.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

It’s been a little slow going this winter for me building wise but I’m about done with the needles and Mussos I wanted to get finished so I decided to try something new based on a Conrad. I went a little longer and skinnier than the original Conrad senior. Couldn’t find the actual lips for them anywhere but got a few from Billy and ordered some of the NJ tackle multi-purpose lips that they say will work on Conrads. Seems like the NJ tackle lips will work but I’m going to need to drill a second hole higher on the lip for the through wire. I did bend the edges on the lip to mirror the actual Conrad lips but I’m not sure if it is needed, more testing to do. After adjusting the lip and line tie this swam and dove very nicely on a slow retrieve but the action was more wild than I like on a fast retrieve. Might find a place in the bag for calmer deep water spots especially if it will swim well with a skin on it.

Is this lip slot above center? Thinning the diameter along with tail dia may have added some more action.

The slot is right on center.

Good thought that thinning it might have resulted in more action, thanks! I usually make a half a dozen or more different variations of a plug when I try something new and then pick the one I like best so I'll try one a bit shorter and see what that does. Maybe add a little lead in the tail to one too. As it is now it has a nice snake like swim at slow speeds which I was going for but the swim changes a lot and become very erratic at faster retrieve speeds.

Raise the slot. Dive deeper and may take some of the wiggle out in current.

Finish my last request. A black pike. Have a few new ideas for next season. Have a great season. GOT WOOD!!

Lost a few weeks due to health issues but back home and working on some stuff

Way too many plugs in various stages to even think about anything new......but started on some freshwater swimbaits similar to an a ms slammer or pats.

Did a few in 2015, and was happy but these will be better

3 piece 8.5" baits using an atom 40 as the design, lexan lip.

The sections will be V notched

Biggest difference is they will be thru wired and swivels instead of screw eyes

Doing a few variations on the tails. Some will have a Ron Z tail (think snake or rat) some will get notched to except a soft tail (slammer style or paddle tail cut off a big shad) and some will get a hard tail (joe Adams woodtail style) probably use the same lexan and cut it tail style.

Lots of sanding and painting this week coming up

Cleaning out the garage asap too! What a mess, hate working like that

Need to get some stuff done before the big fish show up
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Glad you're on the mend and getting back in the swing. Hopefully before the next building season to build a spray booth. VENT WORKS has plans for a nice one with an out of air stream Dayton fan motor. Not explosion proof but like to shoot primer. Looking to pick up some 6/4 ayc & eastern white cedar. Looking for it in rough if price is right. I have the resources to mill in shop. I have to check with Liberty, but not yet.

Paul, did you ever get to trying the Pettit EZ Prime 6149 High-Build Topside Undercoater?
Tommy