Need Help With A Crappie Form

I've never done the half cast method, so I would do as I usually do and carve a form but if I remember correct from when I did order some forms, I would find one that splits the difference, if you will and make it fit the skin. I know fish vary in proportions but did you measure correctly?

 

I do half cast on all crappie and bream. Just finished several 3 and 4 lb crappie.

 

HOLD THE BOAT!!! If you alter the mannikin, cut out half the girth difference, which would be a 5/8" strip out of the center.

 

I would just carve a form as 3bears said. Be less work then trying to cut to fit a form.

 

OK...I thought you were decreasing the girth.

 

Ok my thoughts on altering a bought hard foam fish body is like pp in the wind.
Their a hassle to alter.
A small fish like this is a great time for you to try carving.
You can buy cheap foam at Home Depot or Lowe’s to play with. 2” foam would be fine to use. No major tools as a coping saw, Filet knife, sandpaper would work.
Try it you just might like it
Then if you don’t half cast

 

I agree with Frank. Matuska did a facebook video on carving fish, check it out

 

The thing that irks me abut the commercial forms for crappie is they don't differentiate between the black and white crappie. There is a difference! The distance from the center of the eye to the front of the dorsal fin is longer than the total length of the base of the dorsal fin on a white crappie.

I use the half cast on all crappie. No test fitting as with carving or a commercial form that is not exactly right stressing the scales.

 

Get a couple small crappie to practice the half cast with, its not that hard and you'll be glad you learned for all future ones.

 

I gave up on pre-made crappie bodies years ago. After one or two test fits, scales were coming off like autumn leaves falling! If someone came in today with a 10 lb crappie, I'd do a half cast!...after I did a whole cast for making a repro!!!!

 

Carving is the way to go here and if you've never done it here's your chance to start. Take your time and remove the extra foam slowly until you get it right. This is not space science.

 

I have learned to hand carve the body before skinning to match up as close as possible. I am looking to which foam though need some that may carve rougher but I have the soft gray foam that you can point your finger through, too soft.

 

Have you ever used the light weight filler and used the "fill method" ?

 

I use fish filler on all crappie. Here are some 3-4 pounders that were recently completed...

 

That's what I am talking about right there. Good work Joey !

 

Buy your carving foam from Rick Krane, via the Angler's Artistry website. It's awesome carving foam for your fish bodies.

 

I did this stringer mount using the half cast method too.