... So what blanks are you guys using and where are you getting them from? ...Just looking for more or better options.
Depends on what you want and what you intend to do with them, and you're right, nothing is as irritating as putting a nice pattern on a blank and then having the lure fail to perform. Starting out, cost may be your primary concern, if so places like Cedar Run and Wlure might be a good choice since their prices are low. You can burn through a lot of blanks learning how to paint and putting a good pattern together. If you're past all that, better quality may be your primary concern. In that case some of the vendors mentioned earlier in the post are good choices. You just have to buy a few blanks that you want to paint and determine which dealer has that blank readily available and with consistent good quality. Just a few thoughts and experiences on the matter:
*If the plastic is milky colored its usually soft and won't hold up to heat and use.
*If the seams are not aligned perfectly it usually leaks.
*If the adhesive is poor quality the blank will swell up and separate when hot.
*If there's discoloration inside a blank that rattles its not sealed properly.
*If there are gaps around the edges of the hook hangers they'll probably come loose and/or leak.
Good luck finding your favorite lure blank resellers.
Keep thinking good thoughts, and keep on fishing