earthworm77

You can't have any water in the mixture.

Pat, anyone can hand pour baits......out of them, only a few guys master it and are good enough to be called masterbaiters.....I'm just kidding about that. In order to learn the ropes, you need to concentrate on the three C's.....cleanliness, consistency and colors. Cleanliness is key with good production......you want clean baits with no sprue or over pour. This really applies to single pc molds or if you are attempting laminates without an injector. Consistency, once you pull it off and make a good quality bait....you will need to do it again...and again.....etc. Colors.....you better have a decent recipe book. I have about 300+ in my arsenal, some I don't even think about, they are in my head....others....gotto write them down.

Del, I figure a single pour shouldn't be much of an issue, I'm out to do some lam's though. I'm sure I'll find a way to make it work.

Do you think it is something that I could dremel out to widen the hole or does it have to be a snug fit? There are a few really nice looking molds.....the chigger craw type I saw on here really caught my eye because I use a ton of them. I'm also looking at the tube mold for making custom colors for myself, generally when I dip tubes I need to make 3000ct of more in a run. Its just a tedious excercise. This injection process allows you to make a handful and I like like that idea. Jim, you and I are like dinosaurs of the handpouring world.

I really like the fact that the injection process can do laminates lickety split......does the adapter fit over traditional 2pc molds originally made before injection molding became an option? Like can I use it for my Del's Split tail molds? Or Bob's Buzz Frogs?

Kajan, I appreciate your response because I'm really getting into inshore SW fishing for Reds,specks, snook etc. I agree with your point but I have some points that I've noticed as well. First off, in my area, without even thinking, I use a red jig head. It seems that you get bit far more often on a red jig head. The last few weeks, I've been jumping the fish. I see the birds working and I get into them. Now these have been mostly jack crevalle and bluefish. Here color doesn't matter at all, movement does. I've fished everything from a silver glitter shad body to a clear/chart tail to a pearl fire tail to a bare jighead, I've caught fish on anything and everything. Maybe color matters to specific species under specific circumstances? As a hardcore bass angler, it matters more there I think. But I'd be interested more about how it affects reds and trout specifically. The redfish I've caught and I think all the trout I've caught within the past two months came on the red jighead tipped with something that resembled either a shrimp or a baitfish and was natural in color.

Here's the deal that nobody really considers. Back in the 70's, Bass fishing wasn't popular, bass were considered trash fish by many. No pressure=easier to catch. Nowadays, look how the sport has grown. No pressure, many colors work. Extreme pressure, the colors that are thrown least seem "new" or different and may work better. Anglers are more skilled . I always say, color only matters when it matters but unfortunately it matters more often than not.

I use Del's or LC. If somebody wants a darker watermelon, I add a few drops of black to it or if I'm using a lot of salt....as well.

I wonder what is a more closely guarded secret, this recipe or the type of paint used on soft plastics?

Smallie, you responded first, I wouldn't be a gentleman if I didn't give you the opportunity to divulge your recipe.

Who else makes it besides Reaction Baits and BPS? The original Snoozer tubes were made by Mizmo and they do carry Roadkill Camo now, it is pretty much the same. As for Snoozers hand pours, the roadkill was off when compared to the tubes, it was a bit more brown with a bit of extra copper mixed in. Not negatively criticizing that because those Snoozer baits were the deal. I was a rep for Snoozers way back when and when they went out, I based a line of tubes on the old stinky Snoozer tubes....the original ones that were wet in the package, not the dry ones they switched to. They may have been the same tube but the scent was definately different. I sell a ton of them to this day.

I got a few molds about a month ago from Bob. 3 days and they were at my door, great as usual.

Longhorn and Whiz Jig, I also had that problem. I purchased a bottle in each color and only used the black. When I opend up the others, they were coagualted like jelly. These had not been opened since thay were bottled at the factory. Certainly not my fault and certainly a poor product.

I think that most of the auctions you see for 50cts are not handpoured. I have been selling on eBay for about 6 years and I make money. You need to creat a niche for yourself. Buying the same molds that everyone else has isn't going to make you any money. You need to creat original stuff. There are some skilled guys on there. There are also some poor baits. If your stuff is good and constistent, you will make money. I do really good but could do better. My photography sucks. I need to improve that.

I think that looks fine. I usually add a streak of pearl to the belly but I don't think you need to.

Del, that is a great idea. Wouldn't the bait spin without the necessary weight though. The rivets don't weigh anything.

hands down best option is the weighted hook with hitchhiker This depends on how you fish the bait. When I fish around or in cover, absolutely the best option but if I'm in open water, I have a much higher hook up rate with a ball head. The exposed hook is just better and it doesn't tear the baits up as much in my opinion.

I've kinda been lucky as I think I have an eye for color recipes. My best advice is to pour light. This way you can add a drop of color if you need to....impossible to take one away if you made it too dark.

This is a 3.75" Swimbait I'm pouring. There is absolutely no need to rig this bait with an insert. You run the risk on damaging it if you don't do it right. The bait is under 4", you can rig it on a ball head and it will be likely more effective. Monkeyhunter- On the larger baits, you'll notice there is usually a notch just below the gill area ahead of the belly. Imagine a cylindrical insert being laid at a 45 degree angle at that notch and cocked towards the forehead of the bait. The molds I have made hold the insert in position and you simply pour the plastic around it. most times you don't even have to clear excess plastic from the holes that the line goes through.

My 3 year old is insulted. lol

Longhorn, how much weight is too much? I think that you can get the Mojo'd starting at 1/16oz or so. I was thinking no more than 1/8oz or even a 3/16oz. I'm going to try it.

This may sound silly but why not just use a mojo type weight? It will give you sink and the line runs through it. You certainly can pour plastic over it without it melting.

Outlaw Baits

Those baits are Trademarked, likely the names, not copy written as that applies mainly to printed works. Although I do believe that the Chatterbait may have applied for a patent. I remember seeing their threatening letters to guys I know.

Remember the Imakatsu Javalon or the Lake Fork segmented swimbait?