From the boat......................

Painting Perfections

Hughes Custom Baits

Hughes Custom Baits - Fishing Artistry
As we take a look at crankbaits in the month of July, about 2 months ago I happened on a website called HughesCustomBaits.Com . I looked at the site and saw what they were doing with crankbaits. Specialty painting. Now I have on occasion tried my hand at altering a bait or two and believe me it is no easy task. Taking that into consideration when I looked at what they were doing, I was amazed.

Upon contacting Tim Hughes, a Table Rock guide and owner of Hughes, I asked if we could take a look at his finishes and see his work first hand. He gladly agreed, so we sent off three RAPALA baits to be redone in his famous color (Purple/Chartreuse).

Once they arrived, I quickly took them out to see the unique bait, I knew no one else had up here in the north. I was so surprised. The baits were flawless. Bright and exact, a professional angler would be the only one who knew they were redone (Rapala doesn't make a Purple/Chartreuse fat rap!). I quickly set the baits up with new VMC trebles and they were ready for action.

The next test was the on water performance. Will the coats chip easily? Bad question for a bait that looked like art when it came out of the box. I chucked the down deep all day long and it hit rocks and brush, came in with 15 lbs of weeds one time and nothing. I was even looking for the hook wear you get from a bait sometimes in the underbelly. This is a quality bait through and through.

The color was my choice, I picked it first because it is not something you see a lot of in the Midwest. The other thing is I wanted to see if the fish liked it any better than a normal shad bait. First cast 3 pounder! I was hooked.

When tournament fishing, we all can use an edge and we all have our favorite colors for certain baits be it worms or spinnerbaits. Crankbaits are no different and here is a guy who will get you as many of those baits you need to increase confidence and your catch. Check Tim and his site out! Get some baits no one else has!

www.hughescustombaits.com

BASS CLUBS AROUND THE COUNTRY

We have put together some excellent  bass fishing articles from some excellent writers.   New concepts or tips are essential when trying new things out on the water.  So we have put together a selection of  articles that are increasing and evolving as new patterns and bass fishing technique are found.  Enjoy and come back again, we add more all the time.