Stickbaits, Paint, Clearcoat, Hooks Question

[abkeenan]

I recently bought some unpainted lure bodies trying to save some money since i cant really afford the $15 mcsticks/lc pointers and certainly not the $30 megabass stuff. Plus i thought i might be kinda fun. I bought some lc pointer knockoffs that look pretty good and i was wondering if any of you guys here that paint/dress/etc your own lures could answer a few of my questions:

1. What sort of paint that is relatively cheap would you suggest?

2. What kind of clear coat would you go with?

3. How many coats of paint and clear coat?

4. What is the suggested drying time?

5. What size and brand hooks do you suggest that are reasonable but good?

6. I also wanted to try dressing my own hooks with feathers since they are frickin $6 bucks for 2 feather dressed hooks!!!! So how would i go about tying them and then is there some type of seal or wax to put on top of the thread after its tied?

7. Any other tips or advice that i have left out?

8. Tips for testing out there suspending action and tickering with them?

Thanks guys-

ABK

PS- I will be using a cheapy little airbrush that i got from a hobby store.

[Bill P]

Seemed like a wierd retrieve on a McStick( @ 15 bucks!!) Then noticed the bill broke off! Did not hit anything,and was in open water.

Anyone know if there's a warrantee on em? I'd be surprised.

[Gavin]

Dunno...buy some Smithwick Rogues for $5 a pop and play around with your paint jobs, and some suspend dots.... If you want to test the action before you go fishing...nothing beats an in-ground swimming pool. I test new lures and flies in mine all the time...

[slowroller]

1. What sort of paint that is relatively cheap would you suggest?

The cheap Wal Mart craft paint will do fine. Its waterbased and fast to dry. That way you can thin it down for your Airbrush with just water!

2. What kind of clear coat would you go with?

& kinda go together

3. How many coats of paint and clear coat?

First tape off any part of the bait you don't want paint or clear coat..Paint one coat will do fine..when I say one coat its one coat of each color. You will have to plan your color scheme. Say you want a black back with a chartreuse line that fades to a white belly. Paint in reverse.. I'd paint the whole bait white..then cut a piece of plastic (like from a milk jug) for a straight edge. Hold the plastic over your white. Now here come the real stuff here you can do this many different ways. Hold the edge close will make a sharp line a little back will make a faded line. Don't worry about the back you're going to paint over any over spray. Now let each coat dry for as long as you can stand it..lol White is done Chart is done..now move your edge up over the chart and do your back in black..again the same way or play with it.

Now let dry overnight (this is me) You can use that 2 ton epoxy from lowes its easier ..But starting out I'd go to the hobby store. The RC hobby store on sunshine and glenstone.. Get the 2 part stuff and get 30 minute epoxy. Its thinner and easier to use. Buy some acid brushes at Lowe's HDepot to use. Mix the epoxy( plus the 30 min will give you more time to work)..brush a thin coat on and cover all your paint and KEEP THE BAIT MOVING..ROLLING, don't let drips form ( this is the bad part of the 30 min) once it sets up about 10 to 15 mins just watch it and make sure no drip will form..hang it up and let dry overnight..

6. I also wanted to try dressing my own hooks with feathers since they are frickin $6 bucks for 2 feather dressed hooks!!!! So how would i go about tying them and then is there some type of seal or wax to put on top of the thread after its tied?

Take your feathers and cut and lay on your hook and take some thread (any type or color you want) and wrap it around the shaft of the hook and take some of the 30 min epoxy and brush it on and get it good and wet and let dry overnight..that's it

Hope this will help, at least get ya started.. sorry for any type-o to big to reread

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have dozens of Rogues, a few Pointers and a lot of X Raps, I haven't thrown anything but the Raps in a couple of years now.

[motoman]

5. What size and brand hooks do you suggest that are reasonable but good?

6. I also wanted to try dressing my own hooks with feathers since they are frickin $6 bucks for 2 feather dressed hooks!!!! So how would i go about tying them and then is there some type of seal or wax to put on top of the thread after its tied?

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I can only respond to these 2.

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I like VMC short shank hooks (I think they are standard equipment on Rapala's?) from Cabelas. # 4 and #6 on 2 hook baits; smaller on the rear.

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And I bought some nice VMC feathered trebles on Ebay. $8.50 for 20 feathered trebles. They've held up gret so far.

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=180402701337

[gabe]

Go to Bass Boats Central website and look for the lure making link. Lot"s of good info on paint, airbrush recommendations, etc. They are a great resource. Check it out.

[Flysmallie]

1. Createx paint works very well and is what a lot of the custom lure painters are using. Most craft stores carry it. Automotive paint also works well but can be a little pricey. With both of them you have an endless number of colors.

2. I've used a lot of different automotive clears and they work very well but they are expensive. I've started using a two part clear epoxy. It's much easier because you can just brush it on and then put the lure on a drying wheel. It will smooth out as it turns and dries. Gives it a very nice look.

3. Depends on the product.

4. Depends on the product.

Head over to the forum at Tackle Underground. Lot's of good information there.

http://tackleunderground.com/

[RSBreth]

Ditto on the Tackleunderground.com tip - they are great over there and will help you if you ask nice.

I reload ammo, tie flies, but don't do the "paint your own" hardbait thing - it just isn't cost effective with my painting skills.

I use three baits for suspending jerks - XRaps, Rogues, and these trick babies from XCaliber - the XS4 "Twitch Bait"

http://www.xcaliburtackle.com/stick.asp Usually 10- to 12-bucks a pop at Bass Pro. Worth it.

[dtrs5kprs]

I recently bought some unpainted lure bodies trying to save some money since i cant really afford the $15 mcsticks/lc pointers and certainly not the $30 megabass stuff. Plus i thought i might be kinda fun. I bought some lc pointer knockoffs that look pretty good and i was wondering if any of you guys here that paint/dress/etc your own lures could answer a few of my questions:

1. What sort of paint that is relatively cheap would you suggest? Createx. Shoots well in most brushes, water clean up, good effects when you play with it.

2. What kind of clear coat would you go with? Devcon 2 Ton Epoxy (not the 5 minute) seems to be the most popular, but I prefer Flex Coat rod finish (regular NOT Lite).

3. How many coats of paint and clear coat? Depends on the color. I like a good white base coat. Everything else depends on the color. When you are shooting C-tex correctly you should be spraying more pigment than liquid paint...a very dry "misty" spray that is not wet and runny on the bait. Average on most of my rogues is 2 coats white->basic colors (sides, backs, etc)->clear coat->details->clear coat (glitter or flake if needed at this stage)->sometimes an additional clear coat.

4. What is the suggested drying time? Devcon is quicker...but heavier. Time is in hours, good to fish in a day or two. Flexcoat is several hours (12-24) between coats of paint or clear, needs several days to cure to a fishable finish.

5. What size and brand hooks do you suggest that are reasonable but good? Spend the money on hooks. Gammies are lighter, red hooks tend to be a bit heavier. Weight makes a difference when you are trying to balance a bait.

6. I also wanted to try dressing my own hooks with feathers since they are frickin $6 bucks for 2 feather dressed hooks!!!! So how would i go about tying them and then is there some type of seal or wax to put on top of the thread after its tied? Check the tackle underground. Lots of tips. Also BFHP for "doo-dads". Easy to do, and also work great on jig spoons, fins, etc.

7. Any other tips or advice that i have left out? Yes (not trying to be smart). Lots of little tricks for specific colors, eyes, scales, etc. Check the TU.

8. Tips for testing out there suspending action and tickering with them? Paint adds weight. Clear coats add weight. Hooks and split rings can add or subtract weight. Most baits that tend to rise out of the pack, will tend to rise slower or settle once customed. Custom baits may also have more subtle actions due to the added weight thickness (not always a good thing).

Thanks guys-

ABK

PS- I will be using a cheapy little airbrush that i got from a hobby store.

Definitely, definitely go to TU. There are literally years worth of posts from those of us who figured out some of these things the hard way. After checking the stickies and FAQ's and searching, ask away. You might even see some pics of my ugly babies (if Red has not lost the links).

Proud TU member since 2/14/2003.