top water bait?

[BOOMSTICK]

sorry if this isn't the right forum for this. this is my first post. I am new to fly fishing and I want to make some top water bait. I started to make a few chugger and popper baits. is there a good wood for that. I have some balsa and basswood.

also how do you get the cross pattern on the bait when painting?

[BOOMSTICK]

so nobody has an answer for me....

wow! that is all I can say......