Does anyone make their own soft plastics? I piss through money buying trailers, worms, creatures, etc. and want to make some molds of some of them and pour my own. My question for everyone is if the action is affected when you do it yourself. I have watched some videos online of how to do it and it seems pretty simple. I just don't know what additives that companies put in with the plastic to change any of the physical properties.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Re: "My question for everyone is if the action is affected when you do it yourself."
Sure, that's why they call it custom. Just tweak the amount of hardener/ softener and salt you add to your plastic, writing down specifically how much you use each time, until you get what you like. You can find some "recipe's" at tackle underground, tackle tour, del mart, bears baits, alumilite and make lure forums to name a few.
Sure, that's why they call it custom. Just tweak the amount of hardener/ softener and salt you add to your plastic, writing down specifically how much you use each time, until you get what you like. You can find some "recipe's" at tackle underground, tackle tour, del mart, bears baits, alumilite and make lure forums to name a few.
Nice!Now that's a great hobby for the winter months.Good luck and keep us posted with your creations.I am more of a fly-tying guy and I always get more satisfaction catching fish with my homemade bugs and frogs and stuff.I am also thrifty/cheap,when it comes to fishing gear,actually I'm usually broke..hehe.Lately,fishing offshore,I've been using a spincast rig,drop-shot,soft baits,due to the hot summer bite and limited fly casting room.There's some "hacks" out there that I have found to save on my plastics purchases.Recycle worms by hooking used ones "wacky"rig,hook the worm in the center of the body and let it drop that way.Real effective as well.Also,tacklesmith could relate to this,use a small little ZIP TIE/cable tie to cinch down your bait to the hook,you may loose a little action ,but the fish,especially dinks,wont inhale your $7 a pack senko first cast.There's a tooth pick hack that I use somtimes..>> link http://www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1469191-5-texas-rig-modifications-every-angler-should-know. I hear ya gsantos,I hope these tips can help you in the meantime until get set up on your own plastics..One more thing,it's a great idea to make your own for personal use for you and your friends,but I wouldn't suggest trying to market and sell them..the market is SO flooded with this stuff...Good luck
Thank you both for the tips and resources to check out. I will have do some more research and definitely make this a winter hobby.
sandman62 - It is always the small fish that are ripping legs of my trailers and shredding my senkos. That toothpick hack is pretty cool. I will definitely have to try that out as well as some other hacks. Thanks again for the advice.
I will let you guys know how the lure creation goes when I get my act together.
sandman62 - It is always the small fish that are ripping legs of my trailers and shredding my senkos. That toothpick hack is pretty cool. I will definitely have to try that out as well as some other hacks. Thanks again for the advice.
I will let you guys know how the lure creation goes when I get my act together.
Not to scare you as I find this a very rewarding hobby when done correctly, but please research the process and be safe. Search the sites I mentioned for proper safety precautions and videos.
My 1st experience was el cheapo molds and equipment from janns netcraft, and it was not pretty. Now I only go for premium molds and equipment from del mart or bears baits, and certainly nothing from ebay from unknown makers.
Be careful with hot plastic and hazardous fumes.
My 1st experience was el cheapo molds and equipment from janns netcraft, and it was not pretty. Now I only go for premium molds and equipment from del mart or bears baits, and certainly nothing from ebay from unknown makers.
Be careful with hot plastic and hazardous fumes.