Lure Craft: Witch Tape and Blades
This really isn’t anything new for some, but for some others might get something out of it. For years guys have been putting Witch Tape (WTP) on their salmon spoons, but its also a great way to touch up some of your favorite walleye blades.
These deep cup #5 colorado blades are from Northland, and I used a salmon favorite to spruce them up, the ladderback tape pattern. I used chartruse/green which is the same color as the tape used on the Swedish Pimple that works so well during the ice season. I have also barely touched them up by simply putting on a 3-D molded eye on the blades.
These are #3 colorado blades with premium copper and gold finishes. Some are the same green/chartruse as the ladderbacks, some crushed ice glow, orange and green, and really popular here on Erie is the purple scale. I cut the curve into the tape, then place on the blade and trim around the edges.
Lastily are the Smile Blades from Mack’s Lures. If you haven’t tried these yet, they really are worth having in your arsenal. Bar none, they are the most effective blades I have found for trolling at slower speeds. They claim to spin at 1/4 of a mph, its hard to tell unless the boat is barely moving on a drift. Very effective while trying to stay in a strike zone as long as possible. The Witch Tape comes in handy when the original tape on the blades begin to peel or become discolored. I used the crushed ice green and orange on these, with the standard purple mirror in the back that comes from the factory. Just tape a retangular piece over the blade and trim.
May 28th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I must say you sure have a way to get a guy fired up I just stumbled on to your site a couple of weeks ago and since then have tie enough harnesses to last my next 3 lives . My only problem is I don’t have a boat but can’t believe that there are not some piers or anyplace a guy could’nt pelt a few lures to try to catch a few walley . Any idea’s ?
May 28th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Brad, its definitely the right kind of addiction to have. I wrote a blog back in the fall last year that would be right up your alley. Just down the road from the plant is Luna Pier. Come October and November, its a prime spot for tossing cranks and even weapons.
Over on Summit St. is Bi-State Marine where I picked up my new motor last week. Right next to the building is the Fisherman’s Cave bait shop. The lady who was working that day, pointed out a spot inside the bay there where they caught walleye, and another spot where they caught some perch last week. They do have small boats to rent with motors, do not know the prices, but here is their number 734.848.3935
You could also get a group of guys together from the plant, and book a charter with Captain Mike over at Matthew’s Bait & Tackle. He won’t mind if you bring some of your own lures to use if harnesses are working that day.
Good Luck.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am
The Fisherman’s Cave also has a website available http://www.fishermanscave.com