master plug builder??????

[capesams]

At what point in time/6month's/ 1 year/3 year's/10 year's/ more/ would you consider someone to be a MASTER at plug building. This seems to be a term that's being used alot lately these day's..when some havn't even put in but a year or two building...Any thoughts on the subject??

[Karl F]

I fish bait, am I a master... er, nevah mind...

Real Good Topic Steve, I'll be looking at the consensus, I know I'm lightyears away from it, just wanta have fun anyway. Does seem a lot want to make the jump to pro, right outta the gate..... what's the criteria...too, finish? componants? consistency?... ...

Should be a good thread...........

[Backbeach Jake]

A master? I don't think that it is a time thing. I think that it's a quality thing. Some guys are masters right out of the gate, while others work and learn by steps. Me? I'll never learn.

[snake slinger]

i dont think it should be a time thing some people can do something there whole life and not be good at it and others pick things up quick .it should be judged on quality and performance.

[tattoobob]

quality, performance, and sell over 1000 plugs
I think you have to have a following.

[BigFish]

Its plug building for chrissake! Sticks of wood that look great and catch fish......its not too tough if you have half a brain....I come up a little short for the half brain but still managing!

[NIB]

I'm right wit ya on the half wit thin.Just ask any o my buddies on SOL.
I used to be able to listen to a song an play it on guitar.but I was no Mozart.All things are relative.If someone makes 10,000 plugs a yr.the apt to fool some big fish here an there,does'nt mean beacause i make 50 u can't get one on mines.just gotta put it in the right place.is that what makes a master plug builder.no.Not sure what the requirements are.I consider my self one but I reserve my judgements on others FOR NOW.

[Jigman]

I agree with the above, you really cannot put a time limit on it. Different people have different skills and excell at varying rates. Its certainly not something that happens over night. I think the ability to make a quality plug and catches fish is much more important than how long someone has been doing it. If you are trying to get at when should people start considering sell their stuff, obviously several years building at the very least.

Jigman

[Nebe]

In the glass blowing world, a master glass blower is a glass maker who can be givin a sketch or a verbal request and he can whip it out on the first try- any shape, any height. I'm proud to say that I am a master glass blower- 16 years in the trenches ....

my take on what makes a plug builder a master plug builder is anyone who can make not only any plug, Pikeis, dannies, needles, etc but be able to design and fabricate a unique plug to them..and have it swim right, and of course, have it catch-

Its not a time thing, its not how many you sell, its a talent thing, some catch on faster than others.

Christian's a master and hes only 17 (that will cost you a plug Christian )

[FlukinUki]

I used to be able to listen to a song an play it on guitar.but I was no Mozart.

Mozart played the guitar?

[NIB]

Its a cross reference in musical terms.Sorry I wasn't more clear.I hafta remind myself who is reading these things.

[Diggin Jiggin]

There's a lot of different skills required in plug building, a lot of application specific materials are needed and it's a time consuming process . If a person were to start from scratch with no knowledge whatsoever, and figure out how to do this on their own, it would take a long time to 'master' the process and become truly knowledgable in that field. But when they did, and their plugs did what they wanted, they would be a Master.

They would have learned about the different properties of the different types of wood, experimented with lots of different sealers, primers, paints and epoxies., not to mention the plug hardware itself.

Without the internet, none of this would be possible for your average woodworking guy. This all changed with the internet.

Sites like this one have enabled a lot of people (like me ) who have fished for a long time and who enjoy wood working as a hobby to make the leap into plug building relatively easy. I know what I want my plugs to do and I can work on a design and modify it until I get it to do just what I want. Am I a master, Hell no.

I know relatively little about most types of wood. I learned all I know about sealing from guys on the site. Thru drilling, learned how to do it on the lathe froma thread on SOL, and via the drill press on this site. Got some ideas for other jigs from this site too, and from a few people who I have met via these sites...

The knowledge is cheap and easy to come by. I can read it, understand it, take what I need and modify it to meet my needs.
If I come up with something that works good Ill share it with others, and hopefully help them a little. But I am not a master, and I do not think by my definition I ever really will be.

[capesams]

Eban.....this is what I was trying to get at....you've put your time in as in coming up through the ranks sort of speak to the point where where you can now whip up just about anything and it's a pc. of real nice work. this doesn't happen overnite..or in 6 months or even two years....gibbs,,danny p,,hab's,,,musso,,Mike f...beachmaster and other's have put in many,many years of hard work,,testing every little thing on every different style they make...those people I call master builder's. Not people that have made one or two styles and have sold a few.

[bassmaster]

[i]
Without the internet, none of this would be possible for your average woodworking guy. [/B]

wanna make a bet......

[Canalman]

I don't think any of us can be classifed as masters... don't get me wrong all of you guys do stuff that blows my mind... but most of us are using borrowed knowledge... knowledge borrowed from the masters of yesteryear. I think the closest person to a Master is Gary2 talk about innovative... take a look at what he has to offer... mostly an SOL guy... take a look.

When we start to see some guys pulling out new stuff... Bernzy Surf Howdy is bringing him closer to the master level IMHO.. but when we start to see some truly original stuff perhaps a MASTER or two will be born.

Furthermore... who cares about being a "master" this is fun, this is the key to winter sanity, and the tips and tricks I have picked up and tried to pass on are invaluable... I think that is the mark of this generation of builders the willingness to share tricks and how to's. Without some of the tricks I picked up from Capesams, MAC, Gary2, JigMan, and many others I'd still be whittling broomsticks. So rather than focusing on being masters just keep pushing the bar up... the level of craftmanship and creativity in here is steadily climbing. Keep up the good work guys

-Dave

[BigFish]

[Slipknot]

Originally posted by NIB
Its a cross reference in musical terms.Sorry I wasn't more clear.I hafta remind myself who is reading these things.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinggg! rimshot

[Backbeach Jake]

BigFish, yours look like you been building for 12 years. NIB did lay down a nice burn, didn't he, Slip?

[Slipknot]

Stan Gibbs was a Master



CS, I don't know who is throwing that term around but if it was here on the internet, don't take it so seriously.
I'm pretty sure there is a pretty WIDE variety of talent among plug builders.


It sure can't be set a one particular amout of time, it's not like a master pipe fitter or even can't compare to a master glass blower. There is no test to take, it may be an opinion thing only who knows. I think talent as both a fisherman and a craftsman has alot to do with how much of a master one can be.

I am a master of my own domain

[capesams]

I don't know Slip..the wive's around here may think different as to whom is master

[BigFish]

Guys....I am enjoying the heck out of building plugs. Its fun, rewarding in so many ways, not just when I hook up on them. I enjoy giving them to friends and swapping with folks, I especially enjoy contributing some of my creations to worthy and charitable causes. That really makes me feel good and even better when people enjoy them. To this point, I have not accepted one red cent for one of my plugs, though in the near future I may just to help offset some of my costs as many of you do. The best part is when I finish one batch of new plugs I am immediately thinking about trying something new. As most of us know......there is not much new, just old plugs with new twists but I still find some of the most subtle changes or alterations mind boggling, beautiful and enjoyable. Keep it real, keep it fun and keep them catching fish.

[BigFish]

I consider myself to be a jack of all trades and a master of none! I would rather be really good at many things than to be great at only one!

[Jigman]

Originally posted by Eben
...my take on what makes a plug builder a master plug builder is anyone who can make not only any plug, Pikeis, dannies, needles, etc but be able to design and fabricate a unique plug to them..and have it swim right, and of course, have it catch- ...

I disagree with the first part. I don't think a master necessarily has to be able to make a variety of different types of plugs. You hit the nail on the head with the second part: being able to design a unique plug that catches. Its easy to clone an existing design, a lot harder to examine the local bait, figure out how it swims, transfer that to wood so it works in the conditions present, and have it work.

Jigman

[Jigman]

Originally posted by BigFish
...I would rather be really good at many things than to be great at only one!

When it comes to plugs, I would rather be really good at one type of plug (swimmer or popper or darter, etc) than do an ok version of many types of plugs. I can always ho the ones I can't make

Jigman

[Nebe]

Originally posted by Jigman
I disagree with the first part. I don't think a master necessarily has to be able to make a variety of different types of plugs. You hit the nail on the head with the second part: being able to design a unique plug that catches. Its easy to clone an existing design, a lot harder to examine the local bait, figure out how it swims, transfer that to wood so it works in the conditions present, and have it work.

Jigman

True... true.

[Chris in Mass]

One definition: A worker qualified to teach apprentices and carry on the craft independently.

I think this version of the definition implies that a living can be made off of the craft. To expound - design(s) unique enough to create demand and sustain a living if one chooses to take this route. Artist/Businessman (Master) vs. Hobby.

This is not to take away from the master cabinet maker who can create great plugs with incredible techniques, and loves to share knowledge. As a hobby this is great therapy and living a well rounded life to the fullest. But I think of guys like Pond and Gibbs who combined the art, love of the sport, business acumen and were not willing to sell-out to make a buck, as the masters.

Spoken from a guy who doesn't make plugs, had a couple of beers, and enjoys all the efforts of S-B.Com Plugmakers!

[Charleston]

IMHO;
The term Master plug builder is being used because it was mentioned in OTW. The article written about plug making in the latest issue uses the term.
When you look at who the author is talking about the term is used correctly!!
My .02

[ThrowingTimber]

Bruce Leroy is the master remember when he kicked Sho' nuffs Asterisk?!!!!

I'd say definitely the guys who've been doing it for years been through the goods and bads ups and downs, guys who who've forgotten more than I'll ever learn thats for sure.

[vineyardblues]

Steve,what's that on saying on the Cape?
Jack of all trades--Master of none

Got Snow?

VB

[Karl F]

I resemble that remark

Bill and Harry say Hi.