Fat Gill Wake Bait

Three Pond Lure Co. 

 Fat Gill Wake Bait

Assembly Instructions & Fishing Techniques

Build List

Hardware & Materials

• (5) Closed Eye 1" .072 Stainless Steel Screw Eyes
  • Available from Lure Parts Online
• 19mm or 12mm Lure Eyes
  • Recommended: Dead Meat Customs
• 2mm Stainless Steel Rod
• 2.4mm Lead BBs
• Size 1 Treble Hooks
• (2) Size 4 or Size 5 Split Rings
  • Available from Lure Parts Online
• JB Weld PlasticWeld
• UV Resin
• UV Flashlight
• Sandpaper
• 2K Rattle Can Clear Coat
• 2-Part Silicone Resin
• Plastisol
• Linemen's Pilers 

Recommended Suppliers

• Amazon
• Lure Parts Online
• Dead Meat Customs

Assembly Instructions

1. Install the Weights

Fill both weight chambers with 2.4mm lead BBs.

Once filled, seal the weight holes with UV resin and cure using a UV flashlight. This locks the weights securely in place and prevents movement inside the bait.

2. Sand the Bait

Sand the entire bait using 220-grit sandpaper to remove print lines and imperfections.

For a smoother cosmetic finish, wet sand the bait with 300-grit or finer sandpaper.

Note: Fine sanding is primarily cosmetic and will improve paint quality and overall appearance.

3. Install the Screw Eyes

Use JB Weld Plastic Weld to secure all screw eyes into their designated locations.

Important:

The joint screw eyes must be installed carefully.
The 1" screw eyes should be threaded in until the threads are fully buried inside the bait body — but do not overtighten or drive them in deeper than necessary.

Proper alignment is important for smooth joint movement and bait tracking.

4. Paint & Clear Coat

Paint the bait using your preferred process and colors.

Once paint is fully cured, apply a durable 2K clear coat to protect the finish and improve durability.

Allow the clear coat to fully cure before final assembly.

5. Install the Lip

Use JB Weld Plastic Weld to glue the lip into place.

Make sure the lip is centered perfectly before the adhesive cures. A crooked lip can negatively affect the bait’s tracking and action.

Tail Molding Instructions

1. Pour the Silicone Mold

Use 2-part silicone resin to create the tail molds.

Allow the silicone to fully cure before use.

2. Pour the Plastisol Tails

Once the mold is cured, pour plastisol into the silicone molds to create the tails. Use small section of the 2mm rod to attach the tail to the bait

Two tail sizes are included:

• Small Tail
  • Produces a more subtle swimming action
  • Ideal for calm water or pressured fish
• Large Tail
  • Adds additional casting weight
  • Creates a wider, more aggressive tail kick
  • Excellent for night fishing or dirty water conditions

Fishing Techniques

The Fat Gill Wake Bait is designed to imitate a wounded bluegill struggling near the surface. It excels during low-light conditions, especially:

• Night fishing
• Early morning
• Overcast days
• Low-visibility water

Slow Wake Retrieve

A slow, steady retrieve creates a pronounced “V” wake across the surface. This subtle disturbance helps bass locate the bait and often triggers aggressive “slurp” strikes.

This is the primary retrieve for the bait and is especially effective around:

• Shoreline cover
• Weed edges
• Laydowns
• Shallow flats

Twitch & Pause Technique

Use short rod twitches during the retrieve to create erratic, choppy movement.

This technique works extremely well around:

• Docks
• Brush piles
• Timber
• Tight ambush cover

The sudden directional changes imitate a struggling or injured bluegill.

Subsurface Retrieve

With a medium-speed retrieve, the bait can dive up to approximately 3 feet deep, depending on:

• Hook size
• Split ring size
• Tail configuration
• Line type

When the retrieve is stopped, the bait rises slowly toward the surface.

This rise-and-fall action is extremely effective around:

• Stumps
• Rock piles
• Large boulders
• Sparse grass

Bass will often strike the bait as it slowly rises after deflecting off cover.

Final Tips

• Heavier hardware increases sink rate and running depth.
• Lighter hardware keeps the bait higher in the water column.
• The large tail is ideal for maximizing vibration and casting distance.
• The small tail excels in calm conditions and pressured fisheries.
• A steady retrieve usually out fishes overly aggressive rod action with wake baits.

I have the print setting set perfectly, if you adjust them I have no idea how the bait will act or hold up to use. 

Tight lines and enjoy building your Fat Gill Wake Bait.

Please reach out with any questions, if this build seems to much. I sell ready to fish baits on Facebook; Three Ponds Lure Co. 

Thanks for looking!!