Tuna Surface Lures

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Hey Bazztex,
Show us them pretty custom poppers you made.

[bellyup]

Originally Posted by Bazztex

I'd swear the MEGA Hook it comes pre rigged with weighs an ounce by it's self...LoL . Most of the Tuna Poppers we use weigh 2 1/2-4oz.

Bazz

LOL. That hook is a beast. The hook, along with that heavy mono leader it comes with, puts a YFT in trouble.

[Bazztex]

Tom

I dont have any pictures of the new Black Back/ Purple belly yet but here's some shots of last years Sardine pattern. 6 3/4" X 3 oz on the smaller size and 7" X 4 oz on the larger size. These were custom finished by Rick Bedford of www.PersuaderLures.com in Florida. Rick at Persuader sells some of the finest hand made wood Feshwater Bass Crankbaits you'll ever use.

I only had two left for myself after giving them away and since we filled the boxes with large Tuna on the first night I never got to throw on the second night. I had two "GOM Cows" hit the large size at the same time and broke my leader the first night. I used the Frenzy Ballistic Flyer to get my 3 YFT Limit after that so I never got to hook up on my custom popper. Willie / TOO caught a very nice 90# YFT on the smaller sized popper.



Bazz

[Bazztex]

Ok I just shot the new Black back Purple Belly baits along with a couple of Tuna blasts from the past.





IMG]http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/Bazztex/Quatro%20Baits/QuatroTunaTwins.jpg[/IMG]






Bazz

[jt2hunt]

bazztex, send some lures my way, please

[Minnow]

WOW, nice looking poppers.
You must really love tuna fishing to spend so much afford to make your own poppers.
Do you mind me asking, what kind of material you made of?
how long does it take you to make one?

thanks,

[Bazztex]

TJ

They are made from common Bass Wood 1X2 trim lumber ...Yellow pine will work if you can find some that's not too knotty. White pine is a little too soft and Cedar though very tough is harder to work with for carving.

I Thru Wired them with .060 Piano Wire but will most likely get some 1/16" stainless tig welding rod for the next batch to keep the rust off the hook hangers.

All you have to do is trace the basic pattern onto the wood and then cut it out with a band or jig saw after gluing two pices together with a water proof glue. Hand carve the basic shape with a razor/box knife.. then use a belt /drum sander to shape / round the lure body. a lathe would work on the smaller diameter version.

I use a rounded rotary file and 35,000 RPM ,90deg air Die grinder to cup the mouth so it will spit water like a Giant Pop "R" for you Bass fishing people.

I have them custom finished at www.PersuaderLures.com , it takes me about an hour apiece to form the body and rig the wire/ hook hangers.

I added a 3/0 black swivel at the center hook hanger and up front for the line tie. The 3D eyes are available on Ebay or a crafts store. They have a plastic stud that can be pressed into a hole previously drilled in the bait. It's best to drill the hole thru the body for the eyes while you have a flat surface before you round the body so they are straight across.

They aint cheap to make but what is for offshore Tuna fishing. LoL

It's still fun to trick a 100+ YFT with one of your own creations!

Bazz

[Deep_Sea_Gull]

Thanks for sharing Bazztex. I like the new colors.

[jt2hunt]

i have a big piece of basswood. i think it is three or four inches thick. 2' X 8'. will trade?

[Bazztex]

JT2Hunt

We can work a trade for a few lures for some material if you're serious..Email me.

Bazz