earthworm77

I don't notice any significant odor with Calhouns.

This may be a simple question to answer but what is the true mix ratio for a lurecraft silicone mold kit. It says 9 parts mold material to 1 part reaction agent. But there is 14oz of mold material and 1 ounce of reaction agent in the kit. Doesn't that mean I should have 5 parts mold material left over? I've made a ton of resin and water putty molds but never poured my own silicone. Any advice?

A mask is an excellent measure for safety. Proper ventilation is likely even more important. A couple of fans should be adequate.

Each year I am asked to participate in charity work for various church groups, scout clubs, sportsmans clubs etc. This year I was asked by some members of Floridas Rolling Thunder Organization to come up with a tackle package to be auctioned off for the benefit of the Haley House. Haley House is one of the largest Veteran Hospitals in the Country. Rolling Thunder is a group whose efforts are to publicize the POW/MIA issues, Educate the Public that many American solidiers were left behind, Committed to helping Veterans of all American wars and correct the past to protect the future so that none of our soldiers will ever be left behind again. In my opinion, this is one of the most worthy causes that I've been involved with and The Haley House is in Florida. The auction is on April 8th, and all proceeds go to the Haley House fund, to provide better living for seriously injured veterans. Rolling Thunder is a tax exempt 501 c 4 non profit organization, Haley House is a Tax exempt 501 3 c organization. I'm asking anyone who can donate some type of fishing related goods for this auction please contact me. My goal is to put up a substantial package(s) so these folks know that we, the bass anglers care. All who help will be recognized for their efforts. Thanks for the consideration. My email is micromunchtackle@yahoo.com

Thank you Lurecraft!

First, I used to own a Trans Am and it had those plastic bumpers that got scuffed all the time, I used automotive Flex paint to make them look new again. Has anyone tried that? Next, my wife used to have a Saturn, the whole damn car was plastic and they used to let you hit it with a hammer in the showroom, how about Saturn Touch up paint? Mills, if you find out, please let me know.

So your telling me that you buy an item for 1.00 and resell it for 1.40? All of my distributers resell my items for 100%markup on the wholesale price. I own a tackle business and this is my experience through my distributors and contacts. I'm not talking about buying stuff from Henry's or Bear. How much do Senkos sell for in the stores? Between 5.99 and 6.99 a bag? That 3.48 wholesale price I spoke of puts that on par with 100% markup.

Guys, check out GT Bag in CA. Jim, I use a ton of 6X4 4mil bags with hang holes. I don't think I'm paying more than 25.00 per 1000, the 6X^ should only be a buck or two more.

I know several small shop owners who order 100 bags at a time. I've been told that the wholesale price is about 3.48 per bag. Generally will all of the manufacturers baits, there is a 100% markup. I buy for 1.00 and sell for 2.00.

Matt, I have a wicked fuschia from Del that is essentially a pink. When I make a Candy color I use green, purple and fuschia. They come out nice together.

Shawn, take a color like Junebug, you look at it straight on and it is a dark, almost black but hold it up to the light and it is a deep purply grape. This is a small degree of changeable colorant. Now if you can find a true motor oil color, you will see it looks almost like green pumpkin but when the light hits it at different anglers, it appears to have other highlights that come out.

blue, purple, green or black all look nice. Chris, anytime a worm pouring guru such as yourself chimes in, it is appreciated!! I am seeing that color in my head. Berkley used to put out a worm they poured in the bubble pack, it was a straight tail finesse worm and I think they made it in something close to that.

Matt, I have used the color. When it comes out right, it is wicked! Not a good color for PB and J though. You have to go really light with the quantity or it will turn opaque on you and you won't get the benefit of the changable.....ness of it. lol. For PBJ, try black grape or a deep purple color.

Matt, lomg time no hear!!! Soldering the hook shank is the way to go. Often times manufacturers will pop rivet the hook eye as well. Epoxy will break up and if you are fishing white bass they will knock the spoon around pretty good ultimately breaking the epoxy.

Hydrosilk and Lumaflex are two different materials. Hydrosilk is more like a round silicone ala Starflash without all of the crappy glitter that falls off. Each strand is hollow which makes it open and close depending on movment of the bait in the water. I carry it and can get custom orders in my shop.

I'm with James on this. When I have a little extra plastic at the end of a pot and I re-heat it, This is when the problem occurs for me. Ther is no doubt the plastic is much hotter than when I began pouring.

Trav, I've published more than 80 articles within the past few years on different sites and for different publications, you did a nice job. congrats!!

I have found that any fish I hook with a Matzou...over two pounds has a tendancy to roll the point. I build all of my baits on Gammies, they cost more but definately worth not having my customers curse me. Not specifically picking on them though, I do see their hooks available in bulk.

I understand, I was looking at this as if a guy was reselling EWG hooks, not hooks used for making spinnerbaits and jigs etc. I see the point now.

I still don't get it, my example is this, you can go to Shorty's or any wholesaler and buy 1000ct packs of Matzous for 50.00 give or take a few bucks. Since only retailers or somebody with a tax ID number can buy from these places, they have to know you are reselling them. What does it matter to Matzou, they are wholesaling these hooks, the more you sell, the more you buy to restock. Why wholesale them at all in bulk if it would become an infringement issue. Who the hell is going to buy Matzou hooks if they are labeled, Matzou? lol

As a manufacturer, I expect to become more involved with this association as time progresses. I do see the potential for it benefitting us in the long run. I don't want to see this become a circle jerk where every guy slaps the other on the back just to be nice, there is no doubt that standards must be defined and spelled out and ultimately followed. I've had correspondence with Nathan about a few things. Initially the rating system was my greatest concern because I could not see a clear cut fair way to do it. Should I submit my baits to a group of guys who may have some type of allegiance already formed and have them put my work down publicly??? Can this be done fairly? I'm hoping that a feedback type of venue like Ebay would be the meter because in truth, although we are striving towards a unified goal, we are all very much competing for the same pool of cash. Could someone who was my competition judge my work honestly. There is just no credibility there. I have no problems sharing info with guys but some things will remain sacred and I expect that from everyone. Everyone who is going to get involved with this needs to ask themselves a few things.....1-What do you hope to gain from it? 2-What do you have to offer? 3-Are you really cut out for this? By that I mean do you produce baits commercially or for profit? For those of you who know me and have read my articles on various other sites, you will know that I don't beat around the bush, I'm not politically correct and I do not say things just to be nice. Not that I try to be insensitive but I like to think I am blunt, and to the point. I will continue that direction with this. I do not mean to offend anyone but my main question about an association is credibility. I initially thought that the association should be made up of legitimate builders who have their own businesses, on the books and recognized by the gov't. Afterall, these guys are the guys who should benefit from any buying power that this association may have. Should a guy who makes baits for himself be able to get the same discounts that someone who has gone through the trouble of obtaining a tax ID and has paid his dues to the gov't financially? The rating system is likely hogwash as some have pointed out. I however believe that a set of standards has to be maintained and checked at any time by the association is a better measure of the consistency of its members in the long run. Kind of like random tests for steroids. Let the customers speak about the quality but at the same time, how would that information be translated to the association? These are just a couple of things on my mind.

If you are buying bulk from a wholesaler, why would you need his permission to re sell those hooks under your own label? I don't think you need permission to do that. I think it is already implied in the fact that you are purchasing 1000ct packages from a wholesale distributor.

I'm in with 25 bags of custom dipped finesse tubes. Please email me about this whenit is finally put together. i'm moving this coming Wed to Florida from NY and I'll likely lose tabs of it.

Unless you use a clear salt.

Maybe I'm lucky but I've gone through about 15 gallons of Calhouns in the past 2 months and I have no negative issues with it. I just got a 2.5 gallon jug and it is fine Obviously there has been a problem, hopefully it is fixed.