Pro Staff, No, Really

Well, I have been doing quite a bit lately on my lures, both originals or repaints, and I am happy to say that many have found new homes. From North Carolina to California, from Alabama to Wisconsin to New York and several states in between, people have ordered lures painted in the baitfish patterns of their area or one of my collectible lures. Some are already in use for stripers down south and others are in the waiting stage for water conditions to warm. I can’t thank everyone enough for your support on this new venture and I want to introduce you to a couple of guys that are helping me out and keeping my chin up. There are many more I owe thanks to but this is for Gary and Joe and how a simple request by Joe turned into what I hope is a way to say a thanks and keep getting help from some great fishermen.

As I started writing posts about my cedar lures one of my friends on Twitter, Gary Hanson ( @mgaryhanson on Twitter ), was the first to order one of my baits. Before he was done he had asked for several more and had me paint some other lures in a pattern that he just knew would work in his waters. I modified this one a bit from an artist’s point of view and now it is available as a standard pattern named Gary’s Golden Shiner. Does it work? Why yes, yes it does and here is the proof from Gary’s first two trips to Logan Martin at his favorite striper spot.

We talked about other colors that show up in baitfish which led to a new shad pattern which is now in my line and is available for order on any bait. He also got me thinking about another shape to use for when a quieter approach is needed. That one is still being tested and looks promising. Other modifications we have talked about are in the works.

On the other side of the country and fishing salt water is Joe Sarmiento ( @socalsalty on Twitter ) who ordered a couple of poppers from me. We talked quite a bit and he helped me to start figuring out what salt water anglers needed in a bait to hold up to tough conditions. This part I am still working on along with help from some other great guys like Jason DeCarlo since I am 8 hours from the ocean I didn’t know what they needed. Joe is going to be testing salt water lures and telling me what needs to happen to make them better and what baitfish are in the area. His first two are in mackerel and anchovy which have some changes I want to try to see why they don’t work.

 As we talked Joe said (probably as a joke) he wanted to be on my Pro Staff. Not realizing I had a Pro Staff I laughed and said sure. Joe said if he was going to be on it then Gary had to be on it and I needed to tell him. I thought that was a great idea since Gary has been the most help in design and in showing off my work and both of these guys fish, a lot. I said I guess now we would need t shirts so they could wear them when they head to the water as big time Pro Staffers.

Gary and Joe, along with several others, have been great support and a huge help in giving me ideas for colors and shapes and if they want to be included in what I do that is the least I can do in return. Things are moving along with this project and having support from everyone makes it easier to head to the shop or sit behind my airbrush.

So to Gary and Joe, thanks for everything and now we have a Pro Staff but still no t shirts.



If you are on Twitter give these guys a follow you won't be sorry.
Here is a link to Joe’s blog. Give him a follow to keep up with all the happenings in Lower California.
http://socalsalty.wordpress.com/

Collectible Lure and Bonus Give away

  This is my first time to offer a collectible lure. In keeping with my Nostalgia theme I am making a total of 25 top water lures out of my limited supply of black walnut. Each will be made individually, no two will be exactly alike, then will be hand sanded and finished. After each one is stained it will have hand painted details added along with hardware then signed and numbered. After 25 are sold I will not offer this pattern again signed and numbered in walnut. Each lure will be 5-5 ½ inches in length, approximately 7/8 inch in diameter and come with a certificate.
  You will have a choice of a hand made wooden presentation box or display stand. All of the wood used is native to Tennessee and I harvested each piece. The boxes and bases will be made from oak, walnut, tulip poplar or cedar depending on availability.
  If you are a collector or want a present that can’t be found in any store here is your chance. They are $30.00 each with either the base or box included only add $2.00 s/h, if it is more I will pay it.
  As a bonus and a thank you, when all lures are sold I will draw a name and that person will receive an original watercolor. For each purchase you get a number assigned to your name, these will be placed in a random number generator to fairly chose the winner.
  If you would like to place an order contact me at
Thanks for taking a look.  

ghost1066@gmail.com or on Twitter @ghost1066.

Painting Session Part 2

I had so many great comments on my Painting Session post that I decided to show more lures that I have done. Thanks goes out to everyone that stopped by for a look and commented here, on Twitter or in emails. Makes a feller feel good to know people enjoy what you do. Below are some of the baits I’ve painted recently, some for orders, others just to get a new pattern down. Some were tests to see if I liked them enough to offer on custom pieces. Not all made the cut or even this post, sometimes they are just ugly, can’t win them all.

I hope you enjoy this batch of paint jobs. I have listed the names of each paint pattern under the image in case anyone wants to place an order. Thanks again for all of the positive comments and for just stopping by.

Painting Session

Here are a few pics of baits I recently repainted. These are just a few of the patterns folks can order either on my cedar baits or on lures they supply. At times I have complete baits like these available but the list is always changing. If you see one you like or want to ask about availablity my contact information at the bottom of this post.

Crappie Pattern before clear coat.

After clear coat.

Smooth Goldfish. Smooth patterns have no scale pattern.

Baby Smallmouth bass.


These are tough to photograph since the clear coat reflects so much. I think they look better than the pics show but thought you might like to take a look.

If you are interested in some custom paint or some of my cedar baits you can contact me at ghost1066@gmail.com