Redfin Tweaks For Techo

[dtrs5kprs]

So as not to hijack...

Looking at ways to make a fin work better/more consistently, and also working on some balsa wake baits. Bought about 6-8 balsa wake baits last spring, from Buckeyes on up in oddity and price. Found out it was pretty hard on the budget, but the baits are really fairly simple in design. Some of the higher $$$ ones run great, and, especially coming from where they did, surprisingly looked like they were sort of thrown together.

This made me reconsider some of the ideas I had about fins and balsa baits:

1) Don't think it is the minor fin to fin variation that is the negative, more likely due to the unresponsive nature of the plactic itself.

2) Because balsa is so responsive, you can get away with a few "irregularities" of hanger position, line tie position, etc. At least a "few". This is certainly the case on the best running baits I purchased, custom built, at $25 and way up from there. Some of these were not even completely sealed and were not symmetrically sanded. As someone who is handy with a bait and an airbrush, I found some to be appallingly poorly finished given the reputation of their maker.

3) The tail section of a redfin may be more at fault than I previously believed with respect to proper V waking.

4) Wider is better. This includes the diameter of the face of any tail section on a jointed bait.

5) Folks who tell you to buy a bunch and keep the good ones are not wrong, but are probably also fishing a custom somewhere along the line.

Now, although I am an idiot in most other ways, I can make and finish a balsa bait. Have built a bunch of square bills, flat sides, etc. So here basically are the things in play:

1) Balsa wake baits, various sizes, designs, from flatter sided wide body minnows (jointed and non), to big jointed shad swimmers. First two are sealer curing now, should be ready to paint soon. Not copies of the others, but definitely built to address their flaws.

2) Redfin head section tweaks...possibles include shooting the hollow head full of boat float foam (easy to do if you have the foam-guys are making baits out of this type foam and others), change out of the factory lip to address lip angle and weight of lip.

3) Tail section tweaks...complete removal and replacement with a balsa section for better buoyancy and response. Slight lengthening and thickening of this section also.

4) Balsa version of the redfin, live or memorex basically, except for lip angle. It would almost have to run better, should eliminate that huge "sink" at the end of a cast you get from a fin, which can kill some retrieves.

Once you run one, the difference between a jointed balsa bait and a fin is shocking. Less need to be particular with rod angle, line drag, wind and wave action. Will put up some pics after the baits have some clothes on, if they run right maybe some video of those and the baits I picked up last spring.

Basically trying to get a bait that allows a higher number of productive retrieves, as in 50% with a fin to an increased 70%. Does not seem like much, but could amount to a big jump in productive water time. Anyway, it is something to do now, although this morning it is good stickbait weather up here.

[dwiebenga]

Facinating post! I will be interested in the results. Good Luck!

[Jason Essary]

Dtrs,

Great. Have been wanting to try some of the same things. Video would be great to show how it works. Please let us know, you might even make some money taking orders..

[techo]

I was going to hook up with someone last year and see the stuff they had been working on. I can't remember if it was you or not. Would it be good to save my beat up red fins so a guy like you can fix them or is that difficult? My Mrs loves the redfin. I go with the Sammy quite often, but for some reason they like the redfin better. It is kind of fun when Shell (my wife) snickers at her good fortune with the redfin when I am strugling on another topwater bait.

[dtrs5kprs]

Will get pics up when I can. First of the bigger jointed baits is sealed, ready for paint, its partner is on the bait turner now. Slight variations between the two, lip angle, hardware, ties position. By big, they are basically as long as a fin, but much wider.

Taking a break from the saw now on the minnow style. Kind of feeling around for the right thickness of balsa on these...normally use 1/2" on flat sides, but that looks narrow on this design. Caliper on the wood measures a little narrower than a fin.

As for fixing a fin...my guess is your well loved ones are that way because they work. I wouldn't touch them unless they are actually in danger of not floating. The ones I have that run better get marked on the lip and show their miles. For that period of a few weeks in April and May there is not much better than a good fin bite.

[motoman]

Great read Dave, thanks for the info (and replying to my rat/wakebait issue over on TU) , I really look forward to the next update.

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I shot you an IM to keep this thread on topic. Just had a couple other questions for yah.