earthworm77

gcl, question...because I was thinking about the set up you mentioned but didn't go with it.......what type of ventilation are you using? Do you have an exhaust fan? If you are using an a/c, you can't just have a fan blow the air out like I do in my garage.

From experience, LureCraft plastic has some odor. I've used Calhouns and now use Ozark. Both of these have minimal odor. All plastic will have more odor is you scorch it. These plastic formulas are petroleum based. Likely they are all toxic to some degree.

They look very good, what did you coat the mold with?

I've used about 55 gallons of it so far. Definately not Calhouns. I never had any issues of smell or inconsistency. IMHO I'd rate it between a soft and medium formula. It is very hard to scorch it and it is perfect in my microwave. I plan on continued use.

I wouldn't recommend using gloves. Anything that would protect your hands from any burn will certainly be too thick and clumsy to manage. Anything that doesn't protect from burns may do more harm than good if you have an accident.

Saint, I just got an email from Zoom, they want to sue you because you said Trick Worm.....lol, sorry couldn't resist.

The soft is good for baits that need to be flexible like a worm. Although you could get away with medium for that if you didn't want to carry different plastics.

I prefer to use some salt in any bait that isn't a topwater bait. Finesse worm...heck yes, but only if I'm pouring them in a regular color where the salt will not bleach the true color out. If I was pouring something wacky like a morning dawn, then no salt. I want those colors to be vivid.

Maybe I missed it but what are you usinf these for? Bloodlines? Try using a hot glue gun. You can make plugs out of baits you mold like a Senko that will fit right in the gun. While I wouldn't use it for my business, you can get away with it for your own baits. It does work and I'm sure it can accomplsih anything a syringe can.

Happy, careful with those eyes. The lear plastic will melt when you get it hot, like when you laminate them in place. They are not heat resistant.

Nice job Capt. I'm working on the photos for a tutorial for dipping these. Hopefully it will help those on the site get it down a little clearer.

Sorry to ruffle your feathers, not my intention. Perhaps flawed was a very strong word and I shouldn't have used it. The problem I have with this bait is the durabilty of the legs, which break very easily. I also do not feel they provide maximum water movement. The Bob's Buzz frog features thicker legs with giant paddles. It moves a ton of water and it is durable. Ijust used the H/T as an example of a bait that has been copied to some degree and modified because an improvement was sought. I'm not starting a war. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Like I said, where does the line get drawn? Why would a guy who makes his version of a Beaver bait be any different than a guy who makes his own swimbait, tube etc.? Someone aims to make a bait different because they see improvements that could be made. Even with those flat sided Beavers we were all pouring last year, the bait was not a Sweet Beaver. Check out the Lurecraft catalog and you will see 50 6" molds all slightly different. Are they copies of something? None of us created the wheel. We just try to make it roll more true. Take a look at the Horny Toad. Great concept but for any of us who really have fished it, it is flawed. The Buzz frog by Bob is a much better bait and again, anyone who has used it can easily note the improvements. This hobby is all about building a better mouse trap.

I'm going to weigh in here. I believe that every true custom lure maker intends to produce a lure that is different from all others. Whether that means those baits he is producing are totally radical in design or similar to other proven baits but his designs include improvements. There are a few people who get involved just to cash in but they don't last long. I think there is a huge difference in all out blatant stealing in making exact copies compared to modifications. If you are of the opinion that people here are stealing from large companies who have established bait designs regardless of the steps they may take to offer modifications and differences in their bait please consider this.......Nick Creme marketed the first plastic worm in the early 1950's. According to this logic his company should be the only one to legally be able to produce soft plastics? After all, the progression of bait design and the material we use to make them started with him. Whether you mold sticks, swimbaits, grubs or tubes....which are all different, they were spawned by his idea. I respect the opinions of everyone invloved. Frank, Mike, Jim, Matt, Chris.....everyone. However, it is clear to me that perhaps personal issues are at stake here, I mean Matt, you surely deal with people copying your baits. Frank has as well. I do not think any of the regular posters are the guys looking to cash in on "fad" baits. You may see variations of BassTrix baits, Senko's and Trickworms but I have not seen exact copies. Let's get serious. Unless your design is the first of its kind and I'm confident this eliminates everyone here from being totally 100% original, are you stealing? I do not agree with this. I appologize for my rant but but when we as crafters are generalized and put into a catagory of being dishonest, it hits a nerve with me because I take a ton of pride in what I do. Every letter I get about a tournament won or a childs first fish caught on my baits is the reason I keep going. It also bothers me that the comment was made about original baits being superior. The basis of hand pouring is to produce these lures because they are something different. If any of us truly believes that our baits are inferior, then there really is no reason to keep pouring.

I would say it likely doesn't matter to the fish. But then again, like color, I guess it only matters when it matters.

Wow, those are beautiful. Nice job Longhorn.

Jim, look into a martini shaker. I got mine at Wal-mart. It is aluminum but has a plastic outside, like it is insulated. No problems with it standing up to the heat.

I'm officially in the game now. I've been using Ozark without and additives. I think it is what I'm looking for as far as hardness goes. I've been doing 4 dips, varying depending on my base color. I'm curious as to if any of the mold makers have made a mold for these. Anyway, the results I'm getting regarding cosmetic appearance are phenominal. These baits are really pretty and it is amazing something like that can be made in my garage.

I lube the sticks every two baits I make. If you do that, you should be fine. You can use any type of lube. Even a drop of canola oil will work and its cheap with no mess. I started spraying my oil based scents but there is too much wasted with a spray.

If you used paypal you might be able to get your money refunded. I know they take this type of thing very seriously. Leave this guy feedback letting everyone know he is a fraud. He'll go away.

I'm thinking the thinner you go a la willow leaf, the smaller the vibration, which I think to be true on a spinnerbait. I also think, after pourin these baits that if you go too long on the tail, the more plastic you pour on it, it will likely dampen out the action. I prefer a larger colorado type tail myself, imagining the willow, there has to be some point where the bottom edge simply folds over upon retrieve and the rest of the tail will struggle to work properly. I have been pouring my tails slightly thicker than the BassTrix baits so I am sure the tail will thump pretty well.

Saint, I go with the LC Bubblegum color, it is pretty much right on.

Good suggestions guys. Randy, I'm doing the same thing with those shakers. Easy to clean out as well.

Mike, I relied on Calhouns for several years and when it is formulated correctly, you will love it. In the past there have been issues with the plastic bubbling. I was a staunch defender of the quality of their plastic as I went through many, many gallons without this issue. Last year, it happened to me and I became so fed up with it I switched to Ozark Tackles plastic which I continue to use today.

Very nice Jim. That is a great trout pattern.