So I got a bunch of really nice Cypress....
 

and I'm doing my usual topwater stuff and maybe a swimmer already with it....

Think I could use it to make a bottle plug or is it just too soft? How about a darter? Got a great darter shape I'm working on but cut the proto in Poplar that seems to have the action I'm after...

Do these kind of cut "wood-lipped" shapes generally require a harder stock for durability's sake? Or is it more about the desired action...?

But I have all this sweet Cypress.....

Bottles are usually pine, so soft wood isn't an issue. Orient the grain lines vertically for more strength on the lip.

Darters often take a beating on their chin, so soft wood can be a problem (then again you can always make another), getting the weight distribution correct is as important as the shape of a darter, so a shape that works in one wood may not in another.

cypress
 

anything you use ceder for...to me its close to ayc..alot of people use hardwoods... for darters and needles, but it comes down to what you like

Thanks for the input...maybe I'll have a couple of each done by May or June 09' and post a photo.

You can always seal the pine or cypress with epoxy and it will be hard and the durability may increase.

Yes, I was thinking in that direction. Ever try Minwax Wood Hardener?

Worked great on some punky old window sills (in spots) when it did'nt make as much sense to blow them up as it did to repair the existing wood.

Maybe I'll treat a few prior to regular sealing...

G,

Heat em, and seal them w/epoxy cut 50% with alcohol... It hardens them up nicely

Nice! I'll give that a try, Joe.

Maybe I'll cut a few shapes before the game.