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Forum nameTackle and Boats
Topic subjectDIY Top Water
Topic URLhttp://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=3797
3797, DIY Top Water
Posted by Nufo, Mon Jun-27-11 08:16 PM
I started doing these lures a few years ago as I love the design of the lunker punker but wanted a heavy duty lure geared towards catching trophy stripers. I started making a 10 inch version but recently decided I would make something smaller for my bay and delta spots. (Please note, these are not for sale)

Here is the lure making process I am using:

I started off with a couple of prototypes to find a design that worked well and I think I have things fine tuned now.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/twinsplugs.jpg

And tested them (third cast)
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/downsized_0614011955.jpg
As you can see from the picture, I use only one hook on the belly and they usually end up with both lips hooked shut on the lure like this (10 inch version):
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/IMG_0806.jpg

These new ones will be a little longer than the prototypes at 5.5 inches instead of 5. This should give me more glide on the walk the dog action. I also got an airbrush so I hope to do paint jobs with it but most will be white (stripers love white).



Start with a block of wood. This time I am using basswood (its supposed to be easy to shape and is so far)
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/IMG_2206.jpg

Next I cut it into sections and trace the lure outline
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/IMG_2207.jpg

Then I cut off big chunks of wood
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/IMG_2215.jpg

Then sand to shape with my osciliating spindle sander
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/IMG_2216.jpg


Then I take off the square edges
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Shaping.jpg

I use belt paper 50 to 80 grit
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Shapin2.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Shapin3.jpg

Then I smooth them out
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Sanding.jpg

After a little more sanding, I seal them. I usually use devcon 2-ton epoxy thined with denatured alchohol. This time I am using a form of crazy glue which is working well. These both soak into the wood sealing the grains from water penatration that will crack and ruin the final finish.
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Sealing.jpg

Next, I start by sticking weight in the ass to start the balancing process
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/buttweights.jpg

Since I changed the design of the lure from the origional Prototypes, I experimented with new weighting and then add screw eyes and hooks and test in the swimming pool
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Weightingtest1.jpg

#1 is balanaced as you can see below and sits flat in the water. #2 (would be my pick to swim the best) is weighted a little more towards the back of the lure. #3 is weighted more towards the ass for the ass down sitting position.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm108/mikepro75/Weightingtest2.jpg
I tested them out. Which one do you think had the action I prefered the most?

More to come

3798, RE: DIY Top Water
Posted by Carrot Top, Fri Jul-08-11 09:17 PM
Can't believe no ones commented. I would go for 2 or 3. I had a Punker that sat tail down more and could get it to do all kinds of things that a more level Punker had trouble doing. I like the baits.

I should experiment with making some since I have a habit of giving them to stripers as facial jewelry.
3799, RE: DIY Top Water
Posted by Nico, Thu Jul-21-11 08:20 PM
Hey, striper fishing. For some reason I assumed this thread was someone making their own hula poppers or something :)

Cool photos. Nice to see a ton of hard work paying off. What does this bait do that a 6" lunker punker wouldn't?

I'd agree with carrottop on the tail down version. Most of my favorite pencil baits have been more upright, such as the Tango Dancer (my favorite surf striper topwater sinks like a torpedo sinker, but that's another story).

Also, Bringing your own doormat is hard core.
3800, RE: DIY Top Water
Posted by Nufo, Sat Jul-23-11 01:44 AM
>Cool photos. Nice to see a ton of hard work paying off. What
>does this bait do that a 6" lunker punker wouldn't?

Thanks for the kind words

1. Give me the satisfaction of catching fish on something I made
2. Hook placement. The front hook rarely fouls on your line when doing big gliding strokes and allows me to use a clip (and still doesn't foul). Also I only use 2 hooks (even on the 10"ers) and it gets the stripers stuck with both lips shut on the front hook. When you use 3 hooks on a big lure, the fish gets hooked on both middle two and is able to leverage with the big lure and some how pop free (I have lost a couple PB fish due to this). I have yet to loose a hooked striper on my two hook design and have caught fish up to 22lbs so far.
3. Heavier duty hardware to hold up to big stripers
4. Ugly paint jobs

I personally was looking for a consistent glide. I mostly fish at night and need a nice constant glide so the fish can find it and hammer it. #2 & #3 have what I call false strokes where some times they jump or bounce eratically.

I used to build rods but this is way cooler! Wait till you see some of the wakebaits I'm working on.