swimbaits - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Lower · 02-14-2011, 12:56 PM

I have always been interested in swimbaits and decided this was the year I was going to take a stab at it. I read as much as I could find, took a bunch of notes, and then went to it. I learned a lot along the way and realized how many variables went into getting this plug to swim properly!

If anyone is interested in talking about these things find me at plugfest. I figured I would bring a few in various stages as it might help someone who wants to give them a try. I am by no means in expert, but am happy to share what I know. Would also love to compare notes with anyone who as built them before.

My starting point was a blueback herring. I didn't take a ton of pictures along the way, I apologize. If there is interest I can do that next time. The first pics is after it was cut out, shaped and dry fit together. Second pictures shows how I ended up rigging the internals. I'll add some paint pics as well here

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ProfessorM · 02-14-2011, 01:02 PM

nice Kris. look forward to seeing it up close.
You mean you didn't try to copy the chip design?

numbskull · 02-14-2011, 01:04 PM

Very nice. Something I keep planning to try, as well.

Diggin Jiggin · 02-14-2011, 02:11 PM

Thats pretty cool. I was wondering after the success of the sebile's last year who'd take the plunge. I had thoughts about trying it with offcentered stuff like I did a few years ago, but my off center stuff isn't balanced well enough for that.

I was thinking of doing it with hook hangers and pins

eskimo · 02-14-2011, 02:16 PM

so cool. I enjoy seeing the internals as much as the finished bait.

chefchris401 · 02-14-2011, 02:35 PM

That's a pretty sick under taking!!!

Looks good.

Is it resin or PVC based?
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mfm22 · 02-14-2011, 03:46 PM

Very cool.. thanks for the great shot of internals

Lower · 02-14-2011, 04:38 PM

Thanks guys. It was fun to build. Look forward to doing more. They just take awhile. I found nothing was overly hard (hardest part was probably trying to weight them correctly) but like every new style plug, each step has to be figured out.

Chris...it's PVC based. I've never used the stuff before but it's great for swimbaits. Getting them weighted right is tough and it's nice to not have to worry about sealing them. Was it you who use to make a bunch of PVC plugs??? I remember reading that but forgot who was doing it. I know the PVC fumes are not great for you, but for the few of these I'll make I'm not all that worried.

Couple more pics. Just fixturing these and figuring out how to paint and epoxy them took some thinking.

chefchris401 · 02-14-2011, 04:46 PM

Yeah it was me making the PVC plugs, not any more.

The stuff is brittle when you start putting weight holes in it.

The great part is not needing to seal it or put epoxy on it.

It's great for plugs that don't need lots of weight added like a Danny or cowboy.

I'll be bringing some of last years PVC plugs to plugfest.

That swimbait is really cool, thanks for sharing.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

GooGoo Man · 02-14-2011, 11:28 PM

Wow Kris, that is amazing!

I have always wanted to make one.

See you at Plugfest!

Lower · 02-15-2011, 10:47 AM

Chris...thought it was you. Be interested in seeing those plugs Sat.

Thank Glen...look forward to catching with you as well. Epoxied last night, as long as the epoxy does what its suppose too, you'll be all set...

Put some fins on the swimbait. Calling it done. Works well in the bathtub, but look forward to some open water to really check it out.

striperman36 · 02-15-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lower

Thanks guys. It was fun to build. Look forward to doing more. They just take awhile. I found nothing was overly hard (hardest part was probably trying to weight them correctly) but like every new style plug, each step has to be figured out.

Chris...it's PVC based. I've never used the stuff before but it's great for swimbaits. Getting them weighted right is tough and it's nice to not have to worry about sealing them. Was it you who use to make a bunch of PVC plugs??? I remember reading that but forgot who was doing it. I know the PVC fumes are not great for you, but for the few of these I'll make I'm not all that worried.

Couple more pics. Just fixturing these and figuring out how to paint and epoxy them took some thinking.

Maybe the muskyslayer approach for molded plugs would work

Jigman · 02-16-2011, 05:05 PM

Messed around with swimbaits a couple years back. Have done real well on smallies with them. A few stripers too. The weighting and the hinges seem to be the most important part. More weight in the front section and less in each of the other sections. The tail has to be pretty loose for the bait to swim right. Once you get it down they are a real cool bait. A shot of one of my larger striper sized ones in this thread: http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...uiet-here.html Fins and tail are lexan cut to shape. I used screw eyes for the hinges.

Jigman

Lower · 02-17-2011, 04:57 PM

I agree Jigman. I read enough to get the general idea, but found out exactly what you wrote. I ended up with most all of the weight in the head, second section had less. I ended up with no weight in last section which helps with that loose joint. Also found having a wider spacing at the last joint helped. It is a cool bait, and i still have a lot more learning to do. Hoping I bump into a few people saturday who have messed with them.

Jigman · 02-18-2011, 07:24 AM

Sounds like we found out similar things. Cool baits for sure

Jigman

ProfessorM · 02-18-2011, 09:34 AM

beautiful Kris. Look forward to seeing them. Something I have always wanted to try. Just never seem to find the time.

Is this the new chip??

With those skills you should build a boat or something

Lower · 02-18-2011, 11:32 AM

Getting side tracked on projects like these are whats keeping me from finishing the darn boat!!!!! Evey year I say I'm not building any plugs...just going to finish the boat. Unfortunatly, the holidays end and my addicition is stronger than my will. Darn plugfest kills me.

Think the chip might be next. That's the holy grail of plug building...didn't think I was ready to tackle that yet

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ProfessorM · 02-18-2011, 01:09 PM

LOL. I have 5 already cut out and rough shaped and been sitting there for 2 years now. Someday.

ruhroh · 02-18-2011, 01:20 PM

Hope you slay on that thing. Looks real good. Anyone see the figure praying on the bottom left in the last picture?

johnny ducketts · 02-18-2011, 02:06 PM

"Anyone see the figure praying on the bottom left in the last picture?"

is that a paint jesus?.. seriously it's a sign that plug will produce.

Lower · 02-18-2011, 03:19 PM

Thanks again for the compliments. Wonder how much I could fetch for that on Ebay. Airbrush overspray creates miraculous image!!!

johnny ducketts · 02-19-2011, 04:40 PM

That thing was even better looking in person, great job on it.

striperman36 · 02-19-2011, 04:41 PM

they are the balls. I gotta do up some.

Slipknot · 02-19-2011, 06:08 PM

I tried really hard to get that to fish it
to no avail though
can't blame Kris, that plug is awesome

justinhill · 02-20-2011, 11:12 PM

i think you made it more complicated then it needs to be. i made mine out of starboard. its a pvc type of plastic that is damn near bullet proof