@jamesedsmith.bsky.social
Tried making a more subtle, non popping top water to go with my cool Pencil popper. Some mistakes were made, the shape and the line painting needs a lot of improvement next time, but this is my first stab at a female Starhead Topminnow styled walking bait. At least their head mark looks cool.
December 15, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Tried making a more subtle, non popping top water to go with my cool Pencil popper. Some mistakes were made, the shape and the line painting needs a lot of improvement next time, but this is my first stab at a female Starhead Topminnow styled walking bait. At least their head mark looks cool.
Working on a bluenose shiner.
December 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Working on a bluenose shiner.
And a vid.
December 8, 2025 at 1:18 AM
And a vid.
I tried to make the the sinkers in his mouth look like the head of a minnow he is eating, something that they actually do.
December 8, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I tried to make the the sinkers in his mouth look like the head of a minnow he is eating, something that they actually do.
His buoyancy is perfect for a very natural and enticing fall. His butt even swims thanks to doing the cone and bowl structure of his joints backwards from how I usually do them. He just looks great in there.
December 8, 2025 at 1:09 AM
His buoyancy is perfect for a very natural and enticing fall. His butt even swims thanks to doing the cone and bowl structure of his joints backwards from how I usually do them. He just looks great in there.
To this, my first attempt at a dragonfly nymph version of my Neddy Nibbers. The shape isn't where it needs to be yet, he's way too big but once I put him I the water I was pleased.
December 8, 2025 at 1:07 AM
To this, my first attempt at a dragonfly nymph version of my Neddy Nibbers. The shape isn't where it needs to be yet, he's way too big but once I put him I the water I was pleased.
From this...
December 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
From this...
I thought I was going to have to go test it at the park in the pond in freezing cold weather to see if it really worked. But suprisingly its walking action turned out so good I could get it to do so in my tiny bucket. I didn't film it so here's Nate Marling testing his in his big ass test tank.
December 1, 2025 at 8:15 AM
I thought I was going to have to go test it at the park in the pond in freezing cold weather to see if it really worked. But suprisingly its walking action turned out so good I could get it to do so in my tiny bucket. I didn't film it so here's Nate Marling testing his in his big ass test tank.
First attempt at a pencil popper.1
November 30, 2025 at 7:37 PM
First attempt at a pencil popper.1
I am in fact back on my fermentation bullshit again.
November 24, 2025 at 4:56 PM
I am in fact back on my fermentation bullshit again.
It was too late in the season to make it o fish al but my little silver shiner looked great out there.
I did see a guy catch a Chinook Salmon in the lake though. It apparently took him all day though.
I did see a guy catch a Chinook Salmon in the lake though. It apparently took him all day though.
November 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
It was too late in the season to make it o fish al but my little silver shiner looked great out there.
I did see a guy catch a Chinook Salmon in the lake though. It apparently took him all day though.
I did see a guy catch a Chinook Salmon in the lake though. It apparently took him all day though.
My previous Dace had a bit too heavy of a weight on him. I really like how the 3/16 oz of sinker on this silver shiner let's it fall slow enough to wiggle more. She even had a bit of a swimming action inadvertently when pulled around. I want to try to make that more deliberate next time with a boot.
November 21, 2025 at 1:23 PM
My previous Dace had a bit too heavy of a weight on him. I really like how the 3/16 oz of sinker on this silver shiner let's it fall slow enough to wiggle more. She even had a bit of a swimming action inadvertently when pulled around. I want to try to make that more deliberate next time with a boot.
Some gluing mistakes were made that led to some unfortunate spots on the sides, and the joints aren't as tight as I want, but the mobility of these little metal joints is really nice. Do fish like a loose prey like this, or is the stiffer look of my old fishing line joints actually better?
November 20, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Some gluing mistakes were made that led to some unfortunate spots on the sides, and the joints aren't as tight as I want, but the mobility of these little metal joints is really nice. Do fish like a loose prey like this, or is the stiffer look of my old fishing line joints actually better?
Epoxy's on.
I want to focus on getting a better overall shape next time with an emerald shiner to not mix up the paint too much. Because this is by far my best paint job.
I want to focus on getting a better overall shape next time with an emerald shiner to not mix up the paint too much. Because this is by far my best paint job.
November 19, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Epoxy's on.
I want to focus on getting a better overall shape next time with an emerald shiner to not mix up the paint too much. Because this is by far my best paint job.
I want to focus on getting a better overall shape next time with an emerald shiner to not mix up the paint too much. Because this is by far my best paint job.
Trying to approximate something like a silverstripe shiner. I oversprayed the silver spray paint unfortunately. I think the mesh just wasn't tight enough. Sadly there's basically no white on the bottom because of that. But I like how the teal sparkles come through.
November 18, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Trying to approximate something like a silverstripe shiner. I oversprayed the silver spray paint unfortunately. I think the mesh just wasn't tight enough. Sadly there's basically no white on the bottom because of that. But I like how the teal sparkles come through.
Painting is still brutal without an airbrush or any skill, but look, the scales almost turned out!
Very happy with the eyes and snail though and the construction went reasonably well. Can't wait to get him in the test tank tomorrow.
Gordon, the roseysided dace(eating a snail).
Very happy with the eyes and snail though and the construction went reasonably well. Can't wait to get him in the test tank tomorrow.
Gordon, the roseysided dace(eating a snail).
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Painting is still brutal without an airbrush or any skill, but look, the scales almost turned out!
Very happy with the eyes and snail though and the construction went reasonably well. Can't wait to get him in the test tank tomorrow.
Gordon, the roseysided dace(eating a snail).
Very happy with the eyes and snail though and the construction went reasonably well. Can't wait to get him in the test tank tomorrow.
Gordon, the roseysided dace(eating a snail).