Basswood - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

The Dad Fisherman · 03-21-2005, 12:12 PM

I got my hands on a little basswood and was just wondering what would be the best lures to make with it. What would you guys use it for?

keeperreaper · 03-21-2005, 12:42 PM

Swimmers since basswood is light. Dannys, Pikies, etc.

Moses · 03-21-2005, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keeperreaper

Swimmers since basswood is light. Dannys, Pikies, etc.

Since I don't own a lathe, I've been working with some basswood because it's light and very easy to mold using a sander. My goal is to make a few squid like poppers.

A challenge I'm encountering now is that this wood seems to really soak up the wood sealer (val oil) which really increases it's weight. Has anyone else noticed this?

nightfighter · 03-21-2005, 06:21 PM

I had a conversation with Capesam at the show about which wood for what type of plug. He said it was in an old thread but I didn't see it yet. I think a list of plugs, followed by prefered wood type would be helpful.

For instance, went to find birch dowels for needles. No luck, but have plenty of ash. I reason it is about as dense as birch..... was corrected by another tradesman who says it will open , is more pourous with grain similar to oak.
So whaaddya think? Need some guidance here

capesams · 03-21-2005, 06:40 PM

basswood is about the best carving wood around hands down, but it's very porous[pore's being very ,very small],,s#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&g up any sealer you may use and may take longer to dry because of that...in time it will lighten up abit as the sealer dry's.

ash is a very hard wood, again very porous,,pore's being large, like oak and most kinds of mahogany..both can be used for the making of plug's, but there's abit more work to filling in those same open pore's that are much larger....sometime's needing 3-5 coat's of primer, sanding between each coat.to get rid of all the pot mark's[pore's].

NIB · 03-22-2005, 07:45 AM

Basswood is very light best for topwater swimmers.light is good as u can add lead where u like to a big plug to get the action u prefer.nicer to work with then red cedar which is a little heavier but has some large grain which don't sand well..Might not be the best choice for a popper an it is also a little soft.poppers seem to get eaten alot by blues.maybe a epoxy sealer will toughen them up some but then u addin weight also.

Fishn Technishn · 03-22-2005, 10:28 AM

Just new here, been lurking a week or 2 but like what I've seen.
I use a lot of basswood, as well as other light woods, mostly for topwaters or shallow runners(jerkbaits). What works for me, is to seal it first with an epoxy sealer. I prefer Envirotex Lite but have used others such as Devcon. Once the sealer has hardened(1-2 days) I sand lightly and paint my scheme and seal the paint on with another coat of epoxy. Use light coats as it does add a little weight. I like to brush it on with a disposable brush as opposed to puring it on. Envirotex is almost bullet proof but fish with sharp teeth CAN beat it up after a while.
Thanks

FT

The Dad Fisherman · 03-22-2005, 10:43 AM

Now since this sucks up the sealer should I only soak them for maybe 30-60 seconds. I'm using 60/40 Boiled Linseed/Mineral Spirits to seal.

I may try the epoxy sealer on a couple just to experiment and see what I like better. I did play around w/ the E-tex lite, nice finish but a PITA to work w/ if you don't have a spinner. I'm kinda diggin the Devcon 2 30-minute stuff.

I just finished off the last of my NJ kits last night, just have to dress up some tail hooks for them, and getting ready to paint up my 1st ones from scratch.

Moses · 03-22-2005, 11:47 AM

I'm not sure what type of protection 30-60 seconds will provide, no time for the wood to soak up sealer which is really what you want. I leave in sealer for 24 hrs, wipe with a cloth and let sit. I have noticed that letting them dry in a well heated room does help after a few days in lessing the weight. I'll wait another couple days before priming.

Diggin Jiggin · 03-22-2005, 12:49 PM

You guys are talking different types of sealers and they are really very different and I would guess they need to be applied differently as well...

I have not used the boiled lineseed mix but I am sure someone that uses that mix can tell you how long to soak them....

capesams · 03-22-2005, 12:50 PM

how are you getting the epoxy inside the wire,hook hole's?? the inside count's just as much as the outside when it come's to sealing up any wood.

MAC · 03-22-2005, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capesams

how are you getting the epoxy inside the wire,hook hole's?? the inside count's just as much as the outside when it come's to sealing up any wood.

squirtgun

capesams · 03-22-2005, 05:47 PM

drowning thing's r more fun

NIB · 03-22-2005, 10:12 PM

I well lubricate the whole by poring it some epoxy an then I have at it wit my Pipeleaner.In an out several times.like a tubular paint brush.i like the systems three clear coat for this as its pretty thin.I would like to get some s-b 112 for this as i think thats even harder.

MAC · 03-23-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

I well lubricate the whole by poring it some epoxy an then I have at it wit my Pipeleaner.In an out several times.like a tubular paint brush.i like the systems three clear coat for this as its pretty thin.I would like to get some s-b 112 for this as i think thats even harder.

I know someone who has some SB 112 they would probably give ya.