Thanks guys you are all too kind. answer a few questions. Big D I make a template for mack s. I am a paint sprayer not an artist. You may want to get a brush with a finer needle for that technique.
Mr. Sandman to get the spackle as you call it I dip a small paint brush in the color I want and then hold up in front of plug and blow on it with a straw. Never had much luck getting what I wanted with an airbrush for the heavy spackle colors. Just be careful of the spit that forms in the straw after all that blowing.
Don from afterhours was my inspiration for the pattern. His squid pattern always impressed me.
Matt the way you locate and catch Tuna I am sure if you put your mind to it you would be very good at plugbuilding.