Here are my first baits using the templates from Lure Colour Studios and I'm really pleased with the results! The templates are CNC'd from a "soft" plastic material that did not scratch the bait when I put them on the bait. The sides of the templates clamp shut by putting the supplied small clothes pins on the top and bottom tabs. The templates fit so exact that they even have small openings for the hook hanger! The quality of the templates are A+....a lot better than I can make with my Dremel tool and thermoformed plastic!
You can find Lure Colour Studios at
http://www.lurecolourstudio.com/ and a large number of his videos are on YouTube. As was mentioned in an earlier thread....check this one out!
http://www.lurecolourstudio.com/video-tutorials/gold-mica-bluegill.html
Not only did Jonas do the video...he did the music too! One extremely talented guy!
The templates for the above were:
Hypo-Crustacean
Natural Bluegill set
Ever-G Bluegill
The cost for the templates was $27.95 (Australian) which is $19.13 U.S. Not cheap...but the craftsmanship was truly outstanding. If you consider all the time and effort to make your own by thermoforming ....and the LCS where a lot better.....it's really a pretty good value!
In addition to instructional videos there are step by step instructions on his site.
FYI..I bought templates for the 2.5 and 1.5 square bill cranks I had purchased from Dakota Lakes Tackle and they fit perfectly. Jonas sells blank baits, paint and templates on his site. You can email him to confirm that the template fits a bait you already have.
Jonas was really quick in responding to my email questions (take into consideration that he is in Australia) and he has templates for a lot of other baits. I'm planning on getting more!
Andy