UV Tape Perspective
The two images to left illustrate how the UV aspect of the lure tapes works. The far left image is taken in filtered, cloud cover sunlight. As the light is reduced and the bulk of the light is UV, you can see in the second image how the tape "lights" up and how well the contrasting blue and black dots help set those colors off. One of the best features of the UV tape is that even when there is less light, you get the benefit of flash off the tape. The flasher on the far right in the image on the right is made with the UV Fl. Red and UV chartreuse with flat black dots. This flasher as it is shown was, by far, the most effective flasher for me this summer for kings as well as and particularly for silvers. I have become partial to the Shortbus Flashers--these are the 5.5" size shown which I really like for how I fish. There are 8" versions available as well. You can see some other ways I have enhanced my flashers, both the 5.5" and 8" in some of the photos below. There are way too many great patterns in the Shortbus selection to pick just one or two but they are all definitely worth a look. Here is a link so you can get a look at what is available--Shortbus. Be sure to remember to play around with enhancing patterns with the lure tape dots and shapes--you can't go wrong.
Tricked Out Flashers and Divers
Here are a couple images that show how the 2" wide Custom UV Tape can be used to put together some real fishy patterns on your flashers and divers. Whether you enhance an existing pattern or create your own one-of-a-kind pattern, the UV Tape is definitely a positive add on.
2" Custom UV Tape
Pictured to the left are a blade and flasher that were taped up with my new 2" wide UV Lure Tapes. The black FB Blade is done with 1/2 of the UV Chartreuse Tape with a UV Fl. Red dot punched with a 3/4 hole punch. The flasher, which is a Shortbus Flasher blank, is done with the Chartreuse UV with 3 of the Fl. Red 3/4" dots punched from the same 3/4" hole punch is use. This flasher really raised some eyebrows in the boat a couple days ago as all 3 fish caught were on the rod that was pulling this flasher. Needless to say, I am busily taping up some more flashers with this and the 3 other UV tape colors now available. I, as well as my buddies, were impressed with how this tape looks in the water. It really seems to be a positive factor. It will be fun to see if it keeps on producing throughout our spring king fishery. These tapes are definitely worth a look.
Update on Taping up Flashers...
The images above show how the UV High Contrast Dots and just the standard dots can be utilized on flashers. The addition of dots has proven to be very effective for me in my fishing experiences and they are super easy to add. Check out the video below on applying lure tape and find all the lure tape available by clicking the Lure Tape tab on the home page of Spinner Dave's Custom Designs Online Super Store.
Working With Lure Tape
Customize Your Spinners and Flashers/See High Intensity UV Contrast Dots Below
Applying Lure Tape Video
To view a short video illustrating some helpful hints on applying lure tape, click this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS5j6EFHUKM&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS5j6EFHUKM&feature=youtu.be
UV High Contrast Dots
The images to the left illustrate the before and after of some blade patterns that have High Contrast UV Dots and DS Tape Shapes added. The patterns are all great patterns as they are but the addition of the high contrast dots and tape shapes enables you to come up with some truly unique patterns that also translate in to very effective patterns.
In the images furthest to the left, I have shown both the front and back of the same 3 blade patterns (New Blue Stripe Patterns) without and then with the addition of the high contrast dots and tape shapes. The tape used on the solid pattern backs of these blades is my custom Hologram Scale/UV tape. In my personal experience, I think that the UV enhancement through the use of the tapes is especially effective and noticeable to the human eye in indirect or low light situations.
The image closest on the left shows the 3/8" UV high contrast dots over the pearl white 4-dot pattern of some of the UV contrast blade series. This is a very simple and inexpensive way to enhance these or any of the 4-dot series blades and spinners.
In the images furthest to the left, I have shown both the front and back of the same 3 blade patterns (New Blue Stripe Patterns) without and then with the addition of the high contrast dots and tape shapes. The tape used on the solid pattern backs of these blades is my custom Hologram Scale/UV tape. In my personal experience, I think that the UV enhancement through the use of the tapes is especially effective and noticeable to the human eye in indirect or low light situations.
The image closest on the left shows the 3/8" UV high contrast dots over the pearl white 4-dot pattern of some of the UV contrast blade series. This is a very simple and inexpensive way to enhance these or any of the 4-dot series blades and spinners.
Contrast and UV Enhancement
Lure tape is a great way to customize your spinner blade patterns. It's quick and easy and gives you the ability to increase flash and enhance colors. In today's market, there are literally hundreds of colors of lure tape available, creating virtually unlimited color combinations. Add to that the ability to layer with transparent tapes, including clear pearl UV and the possibilities are endless. The addition of the new, exclusive 'DS' Lure Tape Shapes gives the spinner builder a great way to customize a number of styles of blades. They work on the 'FB' Series #6 and 7(cascade) as well as the Beacon #8 and Alaska Magnum Blades. They also are a great fit for a number of other popular blade designs available on the market today. The beauty of these tapes is that they are as easy a peel and stick and they have a great adhesive that holds up to heavy use.
Layered Patterns/Hologram Scales
The images to the left and above, to the right, illustrate the versatility of the 'DS' Tape Shapes. The first blade pictured to the left, (mean green) shows the transparent pearl UV tape over a painted chartreuse dot on the center. It really makes the color jump out. The crescent shapes on either side show the same transparent UV tape over solid chartreuse tape. In the picture above and to the right, you can also see the UV shapes over a solid chartreuse blade (part of the DS Tape Shape Blade Series)--again you can see what a great look you get over the chartreuse with this tape. In the same photo, you can see a number of other tapes used to contrast and enhance standard blade patterns. The cracked ice pattern prism colors reflect great, even in lower light situations. They can be combined and even layered with the solid color tapes. You will note a couple black/red combos that are very high contrast. The tape shapes can be used on the back of the blades as well.
The red and white blade pictured above, to the left, illustrates the new custom made clear UV/hologram scale 'DS' Tape shape. You get the plus of UV enhancement as well as some very bright scales that really create a unique and very effective look. This tape is made exclusively for Spinner Dave's Custom Designs. It is a multilayer tape, necessary to protect the holographic scales that are actually made of aluminum. It was exciting to be able to get this tape created and offer it for sale. You have to try this stuff to really get a feel for how it looks and performs.
The red and white blade pictured above, to the left, illustrates the new custom made clear UV/hologram scale 'DS' Tape shape. You get the plus of UV enhancement as well as some very bright scales that really create a unique and very effective look. This tape is made exclusively for Spinner Dave's Custom Designs. It is a multilayer tape, necessary to protect the holographic scales that are actually made of aluminum. It was exciting to be able to get this tape created and offer it for sale. You have to try this stuff to really get a feel for how it looks and performs.
Endless Combinations...
To the left, here are some more photos that show how the lure tape can be utilized. Two sizes of dots are available along with the 'DS' Shapes and are a valuable tool in the tape arsenal. On paint patterns like the 4-dot series, the dots can be used to create contrast or color enhancement and the clear pearl UV really lights up the dots as you can see in the bottom left corner of the bottom left photo. The tapes can also be used on hammered finish blades with the best option being the hex pattern blade as the pattern is bigger than the old fashioned, standard hammered pattern. And, you can see how the black tape shapes can create a nice high contrast against any pattern. The combination possibilities are virtually endless and as new discoveries come about, they will be shared on this site.
Transform a basic pattern.
The simplest patterns can be transformed almost instantly into cutting edge finishes with the tape shapes. The red/pearl dot is a great pattern as is, but, add some clear pearl UV tape to it and it lights up real nice. The white pearl back of this pattern can be enhanced with the UV as well. A very simple and fast way to change up your patterns. The photo furthest to the right shows how a single color front can be changed pretty dramatically with the addition of the tape shapes. This is the clear pearl UV over a standard chartreuse base. As with the "mean green" pattern I noted above, this is by far, one of my favorite tape patterns. The latest thing I discovered is the enhancement of glow blades with the clear pearl UV and other tape colors. Thanks to my friend Tim and a couple Great Lakes captains, glow patterns are now part of my arsenal and raising my eyebrows with their productivity. You will find more glow blades in a variety of sizes on the online store now and into the future. The super glow paints and beads make it an exciting venture into the glow world for me.
To shop Spinner Dave's Custom Designs Online Super Store Click this link www.sdcustomdesigns.com
To shop Spinner Dave's Custom Designs Online Super Store Click this link www.sdcustomdesigns.com
High Intensity UV Contrast Dots
from left to right, wonderbread, neon watermelon and plain chartreuse
The addition of UV to spinner blades by way of adhesive lure tape is one one of the easiest ways to enhance your patterns. I chose the patterns to the left to illustrate the new High Intensity UV Contrast Dots because they lend themselves well to the addition of the new dots. The "wonderbread" pattern (left) is one of my favorites; a very effective pattern as is. When the UV Contrast Dots are applied over the painted dots, the result is an intense addition of UV color enhancement and flash. The same thing can be seen when you look at the neon watermelon pattern (middle) and see the changes that take place once the dots are applied to the pattern. Again, the neon watermelon and wonder bread patterns are great patterns as is and catch plenty of fish, but, the UV Contrast Dots are such an inexpensive and easy add on, there is really no excuse not to give them a try. The dots come in three sizes, 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" and all sizes work nicely on a large variety of blade sizes. The dots also work on flashers and plugs as well. I will post some more images of some other ways to utilize the dots soon...check back.
A couple more comparisons....
The images to the right illustrate how the UV contrast dots and the DS Tape Shapes can be used to take patterns like the 4-Dot Series to another level. The combinations are virtually endless, giving you the ability to create truly unique patterns that will catch fish.
Trick out your flashers...
DS Tape shapes helped me come up with one of my most productive flashers. I like the Konezone flasher real well because of the custom combinations available but, as with most fisherman, I have a selection of brands and styles in the flasher box. Short Bus, Big Al's, Hot Spot Agitator and Dee's Diamond Flashers round out my selection. The "Bleeding Zebra" (the name a by-product of some of the slower trolls) pictured to the left has become a "go to" attractor for me over the last couple seasons. The blade comes with any number of tape colors but the black (pictured) or the crushed pearl UV are the two I like the best with the white blade. I use the DS Tape shapes and round dots to add contrast and flash. I use the black cracked ice color to add both contrast and flash against the stark background. The crescent shapes or 'ribs' create a very unique look as the flasher spins. I will be adding more images of other custom flasher patterns that have proved themselves well. Keep an eye out for the updates...