Choopy Lures Spring Shows

So its that time of year again. Where we are busy changing hooks on plugs, tying teasers and flies, and most importantly, making lures! Its also that time where football is over, March madness hasn't kicked in yet, and the fishing still has a some time before the the backwaters start coming alive. Cabin fever time. It will get the best of you if you aren't careful and take the necessary precautions. I am here to help.

One of the best ways is to find your local fishing flea market. Rummage through bins of goodies looking for old tin or eel squids. Invent reasons for why you need to buy handfuls of pink sluggos and why it is the best color sluggo (no reason is necessary, it just is).

The flea markets are the the light at the end of winter's tunnel. Fish aren't popping on shrimp yet, but you know they will be soon.

Plus its always fun to watch the doors open and see everyone rush to their favorite vendors to pick up the plugs they need. Its like watching bluefish on peanuts.

I am really looking forward to seeing everyone this year. I have been busy making some pretty cool stuff (if I don't say so myself) and I always enjoy talking to people about fishing and plugs. I'll be at a few flea markets this year, Berkeley Striper Clubs and Asbury Park fishing Club's. Here's their info:

17th Annual Berkeley Striper Club Fisherman's Flea Market
Sunday, March 4, 2012
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Hugh J.Boyd Jr. Elementary School
1200 Bay Blvd. Seaside Heights, NJ

Asbury Park Fishing Club's 20th Annual Fishing Flea Market
Sunday March 11,  2012 
9:00AM - 2:00PM
Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ

I will also have something else in the works for you guys in New England. After I hit the spray booth this weekend, I'll clue you guys in. 

Danny Color Poll Results

So the voting is in, and yellow stripe is the winner. Can't say I can argue with the results. I fell in love with the color scheme as well. Yellow is always a great color for swimmers. Especially if your wallet demands you be careful in your purchases. It can stay in your bag both day and night, and in any moon condition. Its great in dirty or clear water as well. It really never has to leave your bag, well except for when its busy catching fish.

Next up was black skeleton. I have been a huge fan of white scales on a black body since my first 6" Bomber that had that color pattern. I called it "black skeleton". No idea what Bomber's official name for it was and I don't think they make it anymore. I might have been in mourning for a few days when I lost my last one on the front of a jetty. My love for that scheme then turned into an obsession for black scale darters. I think I cleaned the shelves of every Gibbs 1 5/8 oz black scale darter in Monmouth County. Its simply a great night color, whether it be stripes or scales, the fish seem to jump all over that black/white contrast.

Third place goes to bunker scale. Another very versatile color for just about any condition. I might take it out of the bag in dirty water, but otherwise its as good as any. It has a bit more realism in case the fish are really picky during the day in gin clear water. A solid fish catching color.

Thanks for the voting. I enjoy hearing what you guys have to say, and this definitely gives me some direction in what to paint. You'll see all 3 of these colors, plus a few others, at the Berkeley Striper Club's and Asbury Park's Fishing Club's Flea markets on March 4th and 11th, respectively.  Stop by the table and come chat for a few!

3" pikes should be getting sealed this weekend. Maybe another color poll for them early next week, what do you think?

Rainbow Trouts

I had someone ask me to paint them a 3 oz metal lip swimmer in rainbow trout. So I did. I like it.

I think I will do some of the 1 1/4 oz. danny's for the Berkeley Striper Club and Asbury Park Fishing Club Flea markets in this color.  I think it would be deadly in the fresh as a rainbow trout imitation out west in California, and back east in the Delaware in the spring time. In the surf they just might be killer when the juvenile weakfish are around.

1 1/4 oz. Danny Color Poll

I am currently working on some 1 1/4 oz. danny's for the Berkeley Striper Club and Asbury Park flea markets. If all goes to schedule, I will be painting them in a couple of weeks. I made a nifty little poll on the right sidebar to find out what colors you might be interested in. Please vote and I'll include what you voted for. There are hundreds of possibilities, so if you have any other ideas, leave a comment. I want to paint the colors you want to fish!

Choopy Shirt Pre-orders

I am having a run of shirts made that will have the artwork above. This is a pre-order for shirts. They will be Gildan 100% cotton. Long and short sleeve will be available. Since they are pre-orders, I can get any size made from small to 3xl. 2xl and 3xl will be an additional 3 bucks.

The above artwork will be on the front of black colored shirts.

So here is how it works. I will be accepting pre-orders until January 28, 2012. Email me what you would like, and I will reply with payment info. Paypal is preferred, but will accept check or money order if sent PROMPTLY. I will be placing the order January 30th, and expecting to be shipping around February 20-25. Payment must be made by January 30th.

If you will be attending either Berkeley or Asbury Park’s flea markets, I can give them to you then in order to avoid shipping costs. However, I need to know which show you will be at, so I bring the correct shirts with me.

Pricing:
Short Sleeve: $15.00
Long Sleeve: $18.00
Add $3.00 for 2xl and 3xl
Shipping: $5.00

Thank You and let me know if you have any questions.

Intro.

Testing. Testing. Is this thing on?

New format for the website. It will take me a few days in between painting plugs to get it all updated. You can subscribe <on the right sidebar "follow by email"> for updates.

What I am excited for, is that it will be much easier for me to update and I will get a chance to write more about fishing, the plugs I make and whatever else. Lets hear your comments!