Custom flat fish update.

[GeryG]

I wrote a post about adding a 1.5" squid to a flat fish. Went fishing with it today for the
first time. I also found some UV ones I want to try. Thanks for the tip Sam on
using a swash hook. I put 1" of worm on and half a gulp egg.

[A9]

Any pictures?
Glad it worked out...

[Dave]

I agree the hook swap Sam suggested for flatfish worked well for me. I didn't miss a strike using that set up. I have changed out all my flatfish to the single hook. I also tipped it with a piece of worm and it did not affect the action of the flatfish which was great.

[GeryG]

Sorry no pictures, I buy one disposable camera a year, then develope it at the end of the
year. Sam I noticed in your picture of the flat fish with the swash hook, your hook lays to the
side. I have some lymans lures and they added another split ring, which makes the swash
hook hang up or down depending on how you like it. I was just wondering if you prefer it to the
side, and does that affect the action if you put a worm on it? For the squid set up, the additional split ring
extends the hook just past the tenacles of the squid.

[A9]

Mine usually hangs up, not to the side actually. It seems like it would but usually it doesn't...
And for whatever reason, many of the fish get it in the top of their mouth or on the side. I could probably use another split ring, but whatever I have working for me now, works just great....

No, worms do not ruing the action. Not at all. Perhaps if you REALLY looked at it carefully, you could notice it.

[FishingFool]

question, since you're using open eyed siwash. Why not just put it on directly onto the lure, instead of using a ring? This way, the hook will always be pointed up.


Also, how small do they make siwash hooks? I need to replace the trebles on my roosters and kastmasters for Rufus.

[Gringo Pescador]

Also, how small do they make siwash hooks? I need to replace the trebles on my roosters and kastmasters for Rufus.

Over the winter I switched almost everything I have over to single siwash hooks. Sizes 6 & 8 should work well for you.

[lskiles]

I just watched a video tip from the North American Fishing Club about putting a small piece of a Berkley worm on a spoon. It sounds like what you all are talking about. I think I will try it out myself! I might get some of those siwash hooks, too.

Video Link

[shawn]

Thanks for the video Iskiles.I used to watch that show whenever it came and if I happened not to be home I would have to TIVO it.But for some reason I dont get it anymore I actualy forgot about the show.Now I am gonna have to call my satillite provider to get it back.Now back to the topic I have changed all my hook to the swiash and have tipped to see if there is a added benefit the jury is still out but as far as I can tell now there seems to be a little more success but we will have to see if that holds true after the stockers are thinned out a little.But so far it doesn't hurt to use em.

[HillbillyGeek]

I was browsing in Jerry's Surplus the other day and was amazed how expensive those little flat fish are! I'm considering the idea of making my own. The plan: Cut a wooden dowel into segments, put them in a vise, then use a dremel to carve them into the correct shape. Slap on some paint, and install some hardware (2 screw eyes, 1 split ring, 1 hook). Bada bing! I bet they could be made for less than $1.

[A9]

I was browsing in Jerry's Surplus the other day and was amazed how expensive those little flat fish are! I'm considering the idea of making my own. The plan: Cut a wooden dowel into segments, put them in a vise, then use a dremel to carve them into the correct shape. Slap on some paint, and install some hardware (2 screw eyes, 1 split ring, 1 hook). Bada bing! I bet they could be made for less than $1.

How much did you find them going for? They are usually around $4, occasionally on sale for lower, especially at Joes...

Let us know if you end up trying to make some. I'd be interested in it...

[HillbillyGeek]

I was browsing in Jerry's Surplus the other day and was amazed how expensive those little flat fish are! I'm considering the idea of making my own. The plan: Cut a wooden dowel into segments, put them in a vise, then use a dremel to carve them into the correct shape. Slap on some paint, and install some hardware (2 screw eyes, 1 split ring, 1 hook). Bada bing! I bet they could be made for less than $1.

How much did you find them going for? They are usually around $4, occasionally on sale for lower, especially at Joes...

Let us know if you end up trying to make some. I'd be interested in it...

They usually cost between 3 and $4. Ironically, I've never seen the smallest sizes on sale.

I'm going to buy one today to get exact measurements, then determine whether or not making them is worth the effort. These things are relatively simple compared to other crankbait-type lures. We're talking about a curved stick with a tapered groove in the front. Sounds simple enough...

[Dave]

Fishingfool, I put the open eyed Siwash hook directly onto the flatfish removing the ring completely. The hook hangs perfectly on the lure.

[Kokonuts]

HillBilly, The other day I saw some picts of your new spinners ? made up with a tube worm or something,
But now I cant seem to find em. Can you show those picts again?

I really love looking for your stuff & I am trying to keep up with your Ideas!!! Are you selling any of yours yet?
I really need something new to catch some Kokanee!

Sam, I also replaced some hooks & caught a couple of nice Kokanee last weekend, Thanks for the tip!
Thanks Kokonuts

[FishingFool]

Fishingfool, I put the open eyed Siwash hook directly onto the flatfish removing the ring completely. The hook hangs perfectly on the lure.

Yep, that's what I did for my F4 orange/black dot kwik. I decided to use a #6 siwash though, instead of #8. The #8 hook seemed to short, if it's directly on the lure.

Didnt get any bites on it today to verify if it works or not.


Also, I put #10 siwash hooks on some of my 1/8oz kastmasters today to try out. I was still missing a lot of fish. And when I hooked them, they still fly or flop right off when I get them near the dock. Or dangle them. I wasnt even able to keep 1 on the hook, to see if i hooked the bottom or top of the mouth. I'm going to assume bottom though, bc I saw quite a bit of blood on the dock, where the fish flopped off.

The #10 seems to be a perfect fit for the 1/8oz kastmasters. The #8 seem too big to me...

[HillbillyGeek]

HillBilly, The other day I saw some picts of your new spinners ? made up with a tube worm or something,
But now I cant seem to find em. Can you show those picts again?

I really love looking for your stuff & I am trying to keep up with your Ideas!!! Are you selling any of yours yet?
I really need something new to catch some Kokanee!

Sam, I also replaced some hooks & caught a couple of nice Kokanee last weekend, Thanks for the tip!
Thanks Kokonuts

Thanks for the kudos Kokonuts. Making fishing lures is my favorite creative outlet.

Here's a link to the tube spinner: http://www.washingtonlakes.com/forum/ya ... inner.aspx

Unfortunately, the field test for the tube spinner was very brief and incomplete. I was trolling it in water that was too shallow and got hung up within the first 5 minutes. The squid spin-n-glow has not been field tested yet.

I made several more spinners using glass beads instead of plastic. They should be castable or could be trolled in deeper water. Might work, might not; we shall see...