I recently opened my tackle box to discover that my 13.5" & 10" Trout tools have paint problems. The 13.5 Tool seems to be wrinkling up and the 10" is just coming off. I use Pautzke's Bass factor and Gel Krill for attractants and I'm wondering if this has contributed to the problem. I usually have my Rago lures taken care of at Eric's Tackle in Ventura. Jerry has not been by or heard from in quite a while and I am not sure how to get a hold of him and Eric said the # he had no longer works. I would like to get these bait fixed as this is a $400.00 investment. If I have to, I guess I will have to send them back east to a friend who paints lures to have them re painted and then epoxy coated. Any help in getting hold of Jerry Rago and getting these lures fixed if possible would be greatly appreciated. Casitas trout plants have begun and I would really like to have these lures for swimbait season.
Thanks, Rich Lund
CELL (805) 407-3331

Did you have the bait near any plastics? The oil will eat the paint off of the painted lures like this. I have had it happen to me before.

The lures were stored with other similar baits the 13.5' and 3-10" Trout tools are all stored in a deep 3700 Plano box. Could the plastic tails from 1 lure touching the other cause this?
Thanks
Rich

Its very possible. The oils in the plastic seem to eat right through the paint and clear coat. Mickey from 3:16 Lure Company showed me that a few years ago. Since them I make sure to keep them seperate as best as possible.

Well I am glad I learned that. I guess I have some tackle storage modifications to do on my hard baits with soft tails. Thanks for the info.
Rich

Kind of off topic but, are the tails on your Rago Tools painted? I've seen some that are painted by Jerry and thought they looked good. If you've read my review of the Tool, that was the only thing I didn't like about the bait. Just curious because I seem to remember some pics of Tools where Jerry had painted the tails.

No paint on the tails.
Rich