Here..fishy, fishy, fishy!

Eddy Smiles · #1 08-21-2007, 09:39 PM

I'm not sure where this topic goes but while reading the forum this evening, Treecutter gave me an idea.

It sounds as if quite a few of us got started in carving by carving fishing lures so I figured that if I showed you mine... you'd show me yours... (fishing lures that is!)

So here we are!

They are all surface plugs except for the Froggie which is a shallow diver. They are all made out of basswood and have been hand (literally) carved (no power, no lathe) and finished with acrylic paint and multiple coats of exterior oil-based urethane.

The hardware was purchased from Netcraft and/or Barlows. I've carved hundreds of these lures and I bought a large supply when I was really into it. The cost of the hardware wasn't too bad back then but I've noticed lately that prices are going up so that the most expensive part of the lure is now the hardware. I tried selling them at craft shows but like all art, no one appreciates the amount of time that goes into something and I refuse to compete with Wally-mart prices. I'd rather just give them away as gifts.

So now lets see yours.....

Treecutter · #2 08-21-2007, 10:32 PM

Looking good, nice work.

Woodartist · #3 08-21-2007, 10:46 PM

Great! Thanks for the idea and I think they are something I can carve

You mentioned Netcraft and I suspect it is the same as: http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/ ???? They do have all the do dads to create the finished product.

tnartist05 · #4 08-22-2007, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy Smiles

I'm not sure where this topic goes but while reading the forum this evening, Treecutter gave me an idea.

It sounds as if quite a few of us got started in carving by carving fishing lures so I figured that if I showed you mine... you'd show me yours... (fishing lures that is!)

So here we are!

They are all surface plugs except for the Froggie which is a shallow diver. They are all made out of basswood and have been hand (literally) carved (no power, no lathe) and finished with acrylic paint and multiple coats of exterior oil-based urethane.

The hardware was purchased from Netcraft and/or Barlows. I've carved hundreds of these lures and I bought a large supply when I was really into it. The cost of the hardware wasn't too bad back then but I've noticed lately that prices are going up so that the most expensive part of the lure is now the hardware. I tried selling them at craft shows but like all art, no one appreciates the amount of time that goes into something and I refuse to compete with Wally-mart prices. I'd rather just give them away as gifts.

So now lets see yours.....

Thoses lures look really nice! I have always wanted to make some myself,just haven gotten around to it. Some of the olde timely antq ones can go for high $ Good job again~Forrest

Tom H · #5 08-22-2007, 07:58 AM

Hey Eddy, you ever see any of the antique ice fishing lures? I recently saw several at an antique store and wow! did they have some hefty prices on them....I have also seen them displayed as part of the "country look" in homes. Your lures are first rate, but do the catch fish? Thanks for sharing. Tom H

Eddy Smiles · #6 08-22-2007, 09:06 PM

Woodartist.... That's the place!

TN & Tom H... You're right, antique lures now go for a pretty penny. When I first started building my place in Tennessee my wife and I had a little tradition where at the end of our vacation (having worked 8-10 hours a day doing construction) we took a day off and went down to BlueRidge, GA to go through their antique shops. Each trip I picked up 2-3 antique wooden and bakelite lures. Over the years I collected close to 30 of them. I only paid $2-$3 a piece for them but the last time I visited an antique shop they were going for $15 and up. I figure that I have a collection worth over $500. However, like every other collectible it all comes down to what someone is willing to pay at any particular time. Besides I have them in a display case and they look good on the wall. I think that I'll keep them. Let my kids figure out what to do with them when I'm gone.

Tom H... as whether they will catch fish..... they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is one of my lures snagged in the mouth of a large red. The fellow holding the fish is a friend that asked the same question so I gave him one to let him try it out. Looks like they work to me!

Tom H · #7 08-23-2007, 08:09 AM

That's enough "proof" for me Eddy....Tom H

tnartist05 · #8 08-23-2007, 11:40 AM

[quote=Eddy

s]Woodartist.... That's the place!

TN & Tom H... You're right, antique lures now go for a pretty penny. When I first started building my place in Tennessee my wife and I had a little tradition where at the end of our vacation (having worked 8-10 hours a day doing construction) we took a day off and went down to BlueRidge, GA to go through their antique shops. Each trip I picked up 2-3 antique wooden and bakelite lures. Over the years I collected close to 30 of them. I only paid $2-$3 a piece for them but the last time I visited an antique shop they were going for $15 and up. I figure that I have a collection worth over $500. However, like every other collectible it all comes down to what someone is willing to pay at any particular time. Besides I have them in a display case and they look good on the wall. I think that I'll keep them. Let my kids figure out what to do with them when I'm gone.

Tom H... as whether they will catch fish..... they say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This is one of my lures snagged in the mouth of a large red. The fellow holding the fish is a friend that asked the same question so I gave him one to let him try it out. Looks like they work to me!

Shoot Yea,your lures work! I have collected old but in mint shape pocket knives,have several glass cases full. Love olde Case knives.

Thanks for allowing us to view your home made[carved} lures Ed...Tn

Dennis Taylor · #9 08-23-2007, 04:22 PM

no chance you would have a pattern to share with an aspiring woodcarver, not real good at it, but think I might be able to carve one of them, they are really nice, and a great fish.......the paint job is excellent, do you spray it on?....and can you provide the hardware size?.....tks...Dennis

Woodartist · #10 08-23-2007, 05:30 PM

I'd be interested also

I did find some info online: http://www.waynesfishingworld.com/makinglures.shtml which has links to lure building sites, including: http://www.knet.ne.jp/%7ehac21202/ http://www.luremaking.com/catalogue/...nguide-web.pdf read on down to crank baits, (http://www.luremaking.com/catalogue/...ngpatterns.pdf )