Silverbelly Sprats

A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
Hi Guys

Wasn't planning on posting the prototype versions that I have made some time ago, and have since been playing with, but I would like to get some feedback on the idea....

The concept here was to get the centre of gravity as low as possible in the lure, something that gets more and more difficult as the size of the lure decrease. On the other hand, I was adamant on coming up with a lure that will match the size of the most abundant size baitfish = Sprat

My solution was to pour the "belly" in white metal, then polish the white metal before inserting it back in the mould to pour the rest of the lure in resin.

The end result:

11aimhd.jpg


11w501h.jpg


I am quite happy with the prototypes, and will now work on refining them to look pretty. They cast like a dream, and sink with a very nice flutter. It swims with a nice "frantic" wobble that gets tighter as you increase retrieve speed.
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
On these first ones I basically took the un-sanded lure out of the mould, stuck bits of foil and eyes I had lying around on and hit them with some rattle can paint and clear.
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
Thanks guys.

The lure comes in at 25g or about 0.9oz and is 9cm ring to ring.

290uhk2.jpg


It is bit of a compromise between weight and size, but it should work for land based spinning, which was one of the ideas, but the main idea for this lure was a sprat to throw at busting tuna of the boat. Hopefully we will get into some of that action soon.

I can always do a trial in terms of pouring a bit more WM in the belly to get the weight up to say 35 gram and see how much it will kill the action...
 
S

Simen

Sealiner
Please add a bit of weight, I am very interested to see what they will with Shad and Garrick

When available would like to take some to Angola and test
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
Had one hour available yesterday at Coffee Bay for a quick spin and this is the result...

eqa0pt.jpg


Nothing significant, but it sure made me smile, and I will go back for it once it has grown a bit more!
 
Ben REINERS

Ben REINERS

Sealiner
Staff member
Hi Andre - Great lures you have there ;)
Are you going commercial on any on-line t.shop with those "babies" or was it for own use only ??

Am sure there are other SL's very eager to help you "test" yr babies _seal1_

 
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
Thanks for all the positive feedback!

I am quite happy with the distance I get on these lures with a 9ft Berkeley air and 20lb braid. Probably won't get the distance needed to target natal snoek off the beach, but the idea of the lure was for spinning off the boat, and distance was not the main priority. When I get a chance I will experiment with a greater white metal to resin ratio.

For now I am making these for own use, and unfortunately they are quite time consuming, so I don't foresee making them for resale. The process is something in the line of cast white metal in the belly section of the mould, polish white metal, degrease/clean, assemble mould with WM belly, pour resin, demold and sand, degrease/clean, mask white metal section, apply colour layers, unmask the WM, degrease/clean and clear-coat. This is why many handmade lures are not really "commercially" viable, particularly in SA. If you calculate the cost of materials, paints, decent hooks, sundries and the time investment on these lures, the price would not suit the market. Truth to be told, diy lures are definitely not necessarily the cheaper option, but as Zulu-X-treme pointed out, the sense of accomplishment more than makes up for it.

Now to get a gap to go test it offshore on the primary target...
 
Ben REINERS

Ben REINERS

Sealiner
Staff member
Thks Andre - at least we tried.................:?:breakd: but pse remember there are many SL's queuing for yr "discards" or used ones............:fbash
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
LOL... I do feel rather flattered by the interest in these lures, and I am the last one that will dismiss anybody for trying, as I am a big believer in taking chances... if you don't ask, you'll never know if you had a chance!

You never know, maybe I can figure out a simpler/faster way of making these. I would love to see other people fishing my creations... maybe one day...
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
Have a look for the tutorials that Bennie Jordaan have posted, I have basically just used the techniques that he has shown me. I will see if I can do a tutorial at some stage for this lure when time allows.

Thanks for all the positive feedback!
 
F

fai-lure

New member
Great looking lures and great idea! May I ask about the line tie (front ring). I see they are placed horizontally. Is there a specific reason for that? Most guys put them vertically. I think a vertical line tie might help slightly in keeping the lure upright and keeping the centre of gravity low.
 
A

Andre Laas

Sealiner
fai-lure wrote:
Great looking lures and great idea! May I ask about the line tie (front ring). I see they are placed horizontally. Is there a specific reason for that? Most guys put them vertically. I think a vertical line tie might help slightly in keeping the lure upright and keeping the centre of gravity low.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Main reason for this is that it allows me to use single hooks with a single splitring and have the hook point riding upward, especially when fishing rocky areas. I fish all my lures on a clip, and I am not sure if it makes too much difference, but this is always a learning process. I am however happy with how they swim as is, so will stick to it for now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top