Hey folks. I decided to redesign my lipless swimbaits to incorporate a better method of hinging them and new tails. The joining method is now similar to the industry standard of a pin running between two screw eyes. The tails are made a from a thin foam like material which is paintable and about as durable as a rubber tail would be.
Here's a photo of a recent one I finished for a California Bass angler and a video of that one plus some others. Hope you enjoy them.
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Posted 9/30/2007 9:11 AM (#277333 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
Thanks for the kind words. It takes a number of hours to complete each bait I make but I'm not sure myself exactly how many that is. It varies with each one.
Posted 9/30/2007 4:49 PM (#277384 - in reply to #277379) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
esox50 - 9/30/2007 5:09 PM
Is that catfish patterned bait, Snax? If so, definitely unique!!!
I believe it's a catfish native to California. That's where the customer is from who asked me to paint it that way from a reference photo he had sent me. I think it's a Yellow Bullhead but I could be wrong.
Glad you like the little video. I must give credit to The Nate who I got the idea for how to joint them. The hinges I used before do work but not as freely as this method so you can work them ultra slowly as well as blazing fast.
Posted 9/30/2007 10:04 PM (#277413 - in reply to #277384) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
Snax- It's already been said: WOW! That's a beauty.
PS- very nice video's - I really liked "welcome to the jungle".
Al
esox69
Posted 9/30/2007 10:09 PM (#277414 - in reply to #277303) Subject: RE: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
i have an 8" lipless coming to me very soon, they're awesome- what movement! snax, post that pic when it's done for all to see. she'll be a beauty!!!!
steve
Posted 10/4/2007 5:47 PM (#278094 - in reply to #277384) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
greybeard - 10/4/2007 6:38 PM
"give credit to the Nate"
so should we order from Nate ?
Nate was kind enough to answer questions I had regarding how strong that method of joining the two sections was. He didn't invent it but he did let me know it will hold up. That's why I gave him credit. It's the same way 99% of all swimbaits are built. By all means go buy Nates swimbaits if you wish. He makes a great bait and he's a heck of a nice guy.
Posted 10/4/2007 7:14 PM (#278113 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
These newer versions use a better method of joining the two sections than the hinges I used before and the tails are a better design. These tails are cut from a thin foam like material that I can paint and can be replaced if damaged. The previous ones I made used a wooden tail on a pair of screw eyes. Now these baits can swim at any speed.
Posted 10/10/2007 8:07 AM (#278858 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
Hey Grunt, it's always nice to have an actual question in my threads every now and then! LMAO!!! I do enjoy all these personal attacks of course though...who wouldn't? lol
Seriously, I have been teaching myself the art of custom airbrushing with the plan being to paint helmets and motorcycles as well as making my baits. Here's a few examples of what I've been up to...
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Posted 10/10/2007 3:11 PM (#278931 - in reply to #278929) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
AFChief - 10/10/2007 3:44 PM
Snax,
Great looking bait. Question, how is that tail connected so it is replaceable? Is there a pin or is it justed wedged in a slot in the tail?
Thanks for your question Chief,
The tails are inserted into a slot and held in place with two toothpicks passing through them. I also epoxy them into place but in the event that a fish tears them up you just need to take a small hacksaw and reopen the slot. I am offering to send the replacement tails free of charge for the first few. It's inevitable that any flexible material used for tails will get chewed over time. I'm actually thinking of trying thin leather which should be paintable and much more durable to boot.
Posted 10/10/2007 3:32 PM (#278935 - in reply to #278931) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 16632
Location: The desert
Hey Mike,
Great looking bait. My question would be about the thin leather and the effects of it getting wet and drying multiple times, what effect would that have on the leather?
Posted 10/10/2007 5:13 PM (#278951 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
Great question Mike. That's something I'd need to field test. I'm always looking for ways to improve all my baits and finding the perfect material for tails is something I'm always on the lookout for.
Posted 10/12/2007 12:33 AM (#279191 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 284
Snax I hope you are rich. I don't say that about many people. To most people that are rich I don't feel they really deserve it. But you Snax, you should be rich. Your work is phenomenal. From your baits to your paintings and now these helmets. You are truly an amazing artist. I don't want to sound morbid or anything but I love the skull helmet. Not necessarily for the fact that it's a bloody skull but for the depth that it has. I really looks like the face is inside the helmet behind the wires and the eyes look like they're inside the skull. I don't know how you do it. And I must also comment on the amazing use of light on the dragon helmet. Amazing talent to make something look so lit-up.
Snax I gotta tell you half the reason I log on everyday is to see if you have posted anything new.
Posted 10/12/2007 1:54 AM (#279192 - in reply to #278935) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 457
Pointerpride102 - 10/10/2007 3:32 PM
Hey Mike,
Great looking bait. My question would be about the thin leather and the effects of it getting wet and drying multiple times, what effect would that have on the leather?
I sent Snax a PM with a material that I have used for tying flies. Its really good stuff as far as the wet/dry process goes. I've used it for the better part of ten years on Salt patterns, including big baitfish patterns,a nd it holds up extremely well. If it works out for his tails all the better for everyone else.
Posted 10/12/2007 8:30 AM (#279220 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
Wooligan,
I've looked into the bugskin material and I'm also considering thin neoprene as an option. Ultimately I need something to hold its shape in the water but be flexible enough to enhance the swimming actions. It must also be as tooth proof as can be and ideally it should be paintable! Not too much to ask is it? lol
Ghitierman, I don't know what to say man! You're too kind but I'm but one of many other talented folks on the forums here.
Thanks for your support!
Posted 10/13/2007 11:27 AM (#279365 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 2024
Snax,
Looking at that rock with the eagle on it got me thinking about something else. What if you took someone's big fish picture and painted it on a rock like with the eagle? Sort of like Rod Umlauf does on canvas. I think with your attention to detail and painting skills in general that would look phenomenal!!!!
In fact, I'd give you a picture to practice with if you were so inclined!!!!!!!
Posted 10/13/2007 12:41 PM (#279367 - in reply to #277303) Subject: Re: Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada
Sounds like a cool idea to me. I do offer to render airbrushed paintings of people holding their fish on my website. It would be painted on high quality paper though. A rock might be problematic for shipping costs.
Newly redesigned Musky Snax lipless swimbaits!
