The two baits that will fish in a head to head battle have been stripped to their birthday suits.
The craftmanship on the old plug is crazy. It has a full wire-through loom and the hooks had to be cut off. I honestly don't even know if split rings existed when this bait was made. I will have to add split rings as a result but will try to match the original hooks as best I can when re assembling the bait.
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Now the baits have a thick coat of rock hard epoxy primer
I will get them sanded and painted next week and ready them for the face off. Stay tuned

Mind if I ask what kind of epoxy primer you use? Is it an automotive paint?
It is a Dupont Hot Hues Epoxie primer sealer, it is great for wood baits because it is so hard.