08-14-2003, 11:46 AM
[cool]Hey, loanfish. Sorry to get ya all hot and bothered. Well, maybe not. I'm kinda 
istic. Lemme see if I can answer your questions.
First of all, "baitbug" is a generic term I invented about 25 years ago. I was tinkering around and cut the marabou tails off some of the feather jigs I was making at that time, in order to be able to fish a piece of bait on the jig without the feathers getting all mussed up. Worked great, so I started tying a line of jigs with the tails already shortened. Called 'em bait bugs. WOW.
In the olden days, most of my bugs were just short versions of regular jigs...colored chenille body and hair or feathers for the short tail. Over the years I have experimented with a lot of synthetic materials, so that today most of my bugs flash, sparkle, glitter and even glow in the dark.
![[Image: SCOU1712CustomImage0235780.jpg]](http://web.ecomplanet.com/SCOU1712/ServerContent/MyCustomImages/SCOU1712CustomImage0235780.jpg)
This pic includes regular baitbugs and the Roadrunner models...with the spinners. I originally saw Roadrunners touted on a Jimmy Houston show many years ago, and bought some to try. After a little field testing, I was "hooked". I looked everywhere for a jig mold and finally found one. Since then, I probably use the Roadrunner models about two to one over the regular style. They are both "baitbugs". The Roadrunner is just a little more flashy...and more difficult to make..but worth it.
On the previous pics, there was one of the heads that had a wire weed guard. They are not something you can find in a mold. I tinker with many molds to be able to add wire weed guards...or to attach wire coming out the top of the head to make inline spinners and small "bait Spinners". See the attached pic. Once I got hooked on using spinner blades, I went crazy. I have played around with adding spinners to all kinds of lures. It only takes a bit of practice to learn how to work with the wire, clevices, blades, swivels and split rings. But, if you teach yourself, like I did, it do take awhile...and you get a lot of holes in your fingers learning with that sharp wire.
If you want some more detailed info (Yah, I know, I'm already writing a lot), I have several pages each on 1. Pouring Jigs, 2. Making Roadrunners 3. Pianting 4. Glitter painting and 5. Adding Eyes, I also have the two pieces on making and fishing bait bugs. Shoot me an email or PM if you wanna get serious. Again, I don't make these for sale, but will gladly help anyone who wants to learn how to make them.
Just a final word on paints. You can find some wild colors, including sparkles, in the nail polish department. But, it is pricey and doesn't hold up to banging on bottom structure or fishies teeth. Same with the enamel colors in the craft shops. I use a mixture of epoxy paints and vinyl jig paints...always with a top coat of clear epoxy paint. I also use some of the hobby shop enamels, for special colors not standard in jig paints, and then give them the same protective coating of epoxy. Don't use regular epoxy glue. It turns dark and does not allow the colors to work well.
You can find jig paints in most of the fishing supply outlets on line. I get most of mine from Cabelas, Janns Netcraft and Barlows. I can provide links if you cannot find the last two. They got lots of stuff I use.
Hope this helps. Now go head on til your head hurts.
BEEP BEEP (Roadrunner)
[signature]
istic. Lemme see if I can answer your questions. First of all, "baitbug" is a generic term I invented about 25 years ago. I was tinkering around and cut the marabou tails off some of the feather jigs I was making at that time, in order to be able to fish a piece of bait on the jig without the feathers getting all mussed up. Worked great, so I started tying a line of jigs with the tails already shortened. Called 'em bait bugs. WOW.
In the olden days, most of my bugs were just short versions of regular jigs...colored chenille body and hair or feathers for the short tail. Over the years I have experimented with a lot of synthetic materials, so that today most of my bugs flash, sparkle, glitter and even glow in the dark.
This pic includes regular baitbugs and the Roadrunner models...with the spinners. I originally saw Roadrunners touted on a Jimmy Houston show many years ago, and bought some to try. After a little field testing, I was "hooked". I looked everywhere for a jig mold and finally found one. Since then, I probably use the Roadrunner models about two to one over the regular style. They are both "baitbugs". The Roadrunner is just a little more flashy...and more difficult to make..but worth it.
On the previous pics, there was one of the heads that had a wire weed guard. They are not something you can find in a mold. I tinker with many molds to be able to add wire weed guards...or to attach wire coming out the top of the head to make inline spinners and small "bait Spinners". See the attached pic. Once I got hooked on using spinner blades, I went crazy. I have played around with adding spinners to all kinds of lures. It only takes a bit of practice to learn how to work with the wire, clevices, blades, swivels and split rings. But, if you teach yourself, like I did, it do take awhile...and you get a lot of holes in your fingers learning with that sharp wire.
If you want some more detailed info (Yah, I know, I'm already writing a lot), I have several pages each on 1. Pouring Jigs, 2. Making Roadrunners 3. Pianting 4. Glitter painting and 5. Adding Eyes, I also have the two pieces on making and fishing bait bugs. Shoot me an email or PM if you wanna get serious. Again, I don't make these for sale, but will gladly help anyone who wants to learn how to make them.
Just a final word on paints. You can find some wild colors, including sparkles, in the nail polish department. But, it is pricey and doesn't hold up to banging on bottom structure or fishies teeth. Same with the enamel colors in the craft shops. I use a mixture of epoxy paints and vinyl jig paints...always with a top coat of clear epoxy paint. I also use some of the hobby shop enamels, for special colors not standard in jig paints, and then give them the same protective coating of epoxy. Don't use regular epoxy glue. It turns dark and does not allow the colors to work well.
You can find jig paints in most of the fishing supply outlets on line. I get most of mine from Cabelas, Janns Netcraft and Barlows. I can provide links if you cannot find the last two. They got lots of stuff I use.
Hope this helps. Now go head on til your head hurts.
BEEP BEEP (Roadrunner)
[signature]