Hand carved Redfin winter project

[chefchris401]

So one of my goals this winter is to build a handcarve version of the Redfin, that is thru wired, and has a belly swivel.

I loved the blueshark/green point handcarves but didn't like the way they casted and the fact the company is no longer around or producing any more.

I looked around and found some great how tos and printed them out.

Got my template cuts already, and some 1.5x1.5x8" stock ready.

Have a few ideas on a weight transfer system, assorted lips ordered and some different lead weights for the belly/tail.

Will be a little but before I get em started but pretty excited to start.

[striperman36]

that's awesome

[iamskippy]

Chef they are fun good luck, if you need help let me know
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[Hookedagain]

Chris, is that a piece of pine? If you need some pine I have some tucked away.

[johnny ducketts]

If you need a tester let me know
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[chefchris401]

Spud if you have any 1.5"x1.5" or 2"x2" pine I'd love some.

Or any other lighter wood, red cedar, ayc, etc.
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[iamskippy]

Spud you have any birch hidden away?
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[FinS 32]

chris, you know if these work out im gonna have to hoe one off you haha

[iamskippy]

Its fun here is one i made for chris last y
few more

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[Hookedagain]

Skip, the only birch I had was 3/4" and I think it went in the wood stove. I will keep an eye out for some in the shop. Lots of maple and mahogany right now.

[numbskull]

Stick with basswood or pine to start.

Shaping the body is child's play. Figuring out balance, weighting, lip size, position, and angle, line tie position, and hook details are the real work. Getting a desired action (as opposed to accepting the action you get) takes effort.

Consider a laminated plug (like they do with balsa minnows) as it gives you more control of the innards. Indeed, using foil finished, proprionate sealed balsa is probably the time proven best way to build these sort of plugs. Balsa sheets are easy to find (not cheap) and you can build plugs without power tools. Rapala has been pretty successful using this method of building. No reason you couldn't use synthetic material (like the swim bait guys) as well. Tackleunderground is a good site to browse through if you go that route.

[johnny ducketts]

Chris, I have some redwood around those sizes if your interested.

[johnny ducketts]

are you going to through wire it, or just go with hangers?

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by johnny ducketts

are you going to through wire it, or just go with hangers?

Johnny i believe he wants to threw wire with a swivel.
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[Canalman]

I've had the best luck with red cedar making these kinds of plugs. Make sure you use pieces with very tight grain. The RC with wide grain is impossible to shape smoothly. I've made a few (I'll see if I can find them) that I made the whole plug out of one piece of wood, lip and all. They swam pretty well once I figured out where to place the weight--in those the weight was practically in the head of the bait. Something else that I noticed is that these types of baits are very often sluggish and the biggest reason is wire diameter (at least that's been my finding), it's imperative to use lighter wire than the 1/16 that we all usually use. If I know you Chris, you'll have them swimming better than the real thing.

It almost plug making season... I'll give you a call soon

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by Canalman

I've had the best luck with red cedar making these kinds of plugs. Make sure you use pieces with very tight grain. The RC with wide grain is impossible to shape smoothly. I've made a few (I'll see if I can find them) that I made the whole plug out of one piece of wood, lip and all. They swam pretty well once I figured out where to place the weight--in those the weight was practically in the head of the bait. Something else that I noticed is that these types of baits are very often sluggish and the biggest reason is wire diameter (at least that's been my finding), it's imperative to use lighter wire than the 1/16 that we all usually use. If I know you Chris, you'll have them swimming better than the real thing.

It almost plug making season... I'll give you a call soon

I never considered wire being an issues, i made mine out pine maybe thats the reason. But as far as the weight you are right, i put it between the belly hook and the head. On a side note i added 4 rattles into the last 3 i made and it didnt slow em down, if anything they swam better when i voided out that part of the body.
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[Sgt Striper]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

I never considered wire being an issues, i made mine out pine maybe thats the reason. But as far as the weight you are right, i put it between the belly hook and the head. On a side note i added 4 rattles into the last 3 i made and it didnt slow em down, if anything they swam better when i voided out that part of the body.
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Hmmm, Did I get one of them??

[iamskippy]

Originally Posted by Sgt Striper

Hmmm, Did I get one of them??

That was last years special but Chris is makin me want to make a few more this year. Last years colors were the bone redfin, ghost white and blurple
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[striperman36]

Originally Posted by iamskippy

That was last years special but Chris is makin me want to make a few more this year. Last years colors were the bone redfin, ghost white and blurple
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I'd like to make a few when can we get started?

[GattaFish]

^^^^^^^^ SWEEEET Always some very nice stuff,,,,

[chefchris401]

Your how to is the one I printed out and downloaded the videos Ted.

Always been a fan of your work.

Those are sweet!!
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[striperman36]

chef-greek were are the videos and instructions? I could possibly do this while on travel

[chefchris401]

Originally Posted by striperman36

chef-greek were are the videos and instructions? I could possibly do this while on travel

Shoot me your email and ill send you the links, there's a how to from the Greek and he did a video, plus two or three other ones.
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[johnny ducketts]

Chef, wood is all boxed up and going out on weds.
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[chefchris401]

Originally Posted by johnny ducketts

Chef, wood is all boxed up and going out on weds.
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Thanks Johnny, ill make sure you get a tester

[Slipknot]

How did I miss this thread
Nice plugs there Chris, I bet they'll work well

I am gonna have to give this kind of bait another shot this winter also

[chefchris401]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

How did I miss this thread
Nice plugs there Chris, I bet they'll work well

I am gonna have to give this kind of bait another shot this winter also

Those finished plugs are Teds aka the Greek. Mine are still square wood, till this weekend hopefully.
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[Slipknot]

oh so that's a redfin

I have some of Ted's and one of those minnows too
skippy's look good too

get going on those blocks of wood

if you need some wood, I have some here and there

[WoodyCT]

I tried a couple hand carves a couple years back. I had no power tools, save for a drill, so they fit the bill.
Coping saw, hand plane, surform, strips of emery cloth/belt sander belts... Good fun for sure!
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