Starting a realistic roach jerbait (or at least trying to)

I thought id show some of the steps of me trying to do this.

First off i find a good picture, Print it out, Cut it out and use it as a template for the wood (im using beech).

 

After ive cut out the shape i usually mark the middle of the lure and drill the lead holes. Next i start shaping the lure with knife, basically i take off the edges and start trying to round them a bit so i dont have to sand as much. I prefer to sand by hand because the belt sander takes off a bit much too fast.

I then make a template for the facial features and fins and draw them on to the blank.

Then a little bit of carving, drill out the eye sockets and tidy it up with some sand paper.

Next is the annoying/boring part drawing on the scales trying to get them looking the same.

After ive drawn them on then its carving time, Starting by cutting the outlines going over all the pencil lines .

In the end after the carving this is what it looks like, I try not to take off too much wood with the carving for a subtle natural look.

Next i weight the lure with lead, fill the holes, smooth the filler off and then some coats of varnish to help seal the lure.

Then comes my favourite part painting, Bringing it to life..

The last thing to do is give it a few coats of envirotex and add hooks. I love they way envirotex makes everything look much nicer. Anyway heres a load of finished pics.

Im pretty happy how it turned out but i really dont like the fins need to change the shape of them a bit. Theres always room for improvement though, Still learning with this lure making stuff.

I tried to make a video of the swimming action, Its not the best quality coz it was from my mobile phone but i think you see enough, Anyways here you go......

Some big spinners i made for pike and big perch

I had a lot of success last year with these large spinners. They are quite heavy for more distance and i sometimes jig them as well. Most of the hooks are dressed with either raccoon or rabbit zonkers, large cock hackle feathers and some flash material. Anyway heres some pictures.......

Some jigs I tied for targeting bigger perch or zander

Not much to say about these apart from they look pretty nice in water and should do what they are supposed to.