Neighbor_guy Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Its a few days into September already and things are still feeling a little bit like summer. Surface temperature on the lake last week was 80deg. That's a long way from being able to cut a 2'x3.5' window in the ice. But it wont be too long now. Goose do your thing please... Its a little hard to read, but the word on the paper is "Clown". So there it is, the challenge for this month is to make what you consider to be a "clown" decoy. The way I look at it that could go a couple different directions, you could make a clown fish decoy, you could consider it a painting challenge and give a normal decoy a clown paint pattern. Its all up to you. Lets see what you got. Like always, participation in encouraged, and you never know, it may just be rewarded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor_guy Posted September 4, 2014 Author Share Posted September 4, 2014 a "clown" paint job... decoy maker unknown... a "clown" fish... a clown (sorry couldn't resist) a rodeo "clown" Lets see what we can come up with. Have fun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmichalski Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Here's the clown floater I made last winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdawg sk1 Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 How does a floater work do they just bob around the top of your hole? Are they very effective?Can't wait to see these clown fish I think I might actually try and carve one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ1657 Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 How does a floater work do they just bob around the top of your hole? Are they very effective?Can't wait to see these clown fish I think I might actually try and carve one. You put a line on them and a weight that rests on the lake bottom. I've never tried one but it would be interesting to hear from Jason about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdawg sk1 Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Well it has begun I decided to try carving a decoy and here is the beginning I think it's turning out pretty good seeing how I have never carved anything before Other than a set of grips for my vaquero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor_guy Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 That's a fantastic start!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdawg sk1 Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 What type of material do you usually start with? This was a 2x4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwal Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 Looks cool to me. My attempts are much cruder than that. Keep going Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ1657 Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 That looks real nice Jdawg! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrklean Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 cant wait to see the finished product guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighbor_guy Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 I like to use clean pine or white cedar for my decoys. Be it 1x2 or 1x(x)". I also use 2x4 and 2x6 as well. The key is to find clean straight graining and a peice of wood that is clear of knots. Free salvaged wood is my favorite, but top grade from Menards is a good choice as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmichalski Posted September 16, 2014 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Your right MJ it has a line and weight and it just floats, the guy I made it for spear in the Great Lakes and like big live suckers but they tangle his fake decoy, so he sets the floater low in the water and runs a live above it so it can't tangle, he does well with floaters, but I researched floaters and they were popular years ago where spearing back water river areas with some current a normal decoy wouldn't swim right but a float would slowly bob back and forth in the current giving it a slight hands free action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvm1 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Knowing this is the spearing forum this question is a bit off for here. But It's open water season and we're talking clown patterns so I'll throw it out there.What's your favorite open water go to color?I have a couple big rapalas (floating and flat rap) in clown. They are usually great for pike and have lots of teeth marks to prove it. However this summer my most successful go to lure when all else fails has been a pike looking minnow crank that is a third of the size of the FL-18. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdawg sk1 Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Well guys here is an update I've got most of the fins cut and slots cut need to make rear fins or do I even need them? I also need to cut the lead hole and all that other stuff. I'm kind of nervous about adding the lead could you guys give me some tips on this ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmichalski Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 yes rear fins stop the decoy from rocking and give it a smooth glide! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdawg sk1 Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Poured lead today and epoxied in the fins. Had the cooler full of water for swim testing and it did well after some adjustments. I had to remove some lead from the rear and drill a small hole in the chin to add a little up front . Now it swims nice and level and slowly downwards. I think I am going to drill into the top fin to attach the line. I drilled cross holes in a few places to put dowel through to support the fins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowhunt Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 That looks really good, can't wait to see it all painted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrklean Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Looking good so far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jdawg sk1 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 It is complete Now onto the next one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ1657 Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Outstanding!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrklean Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Looks awesome how does it swim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmichalski Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvm1 Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 This really gives me hope for when I try to make one myself. Great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonmichalski Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 It is complete Now onto the next one one thing you my want to do in the future is make the back fins slightly higher it will give you a smoother glide, and is easier to get a good swim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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