capecodsmallie

My love for plastics is out of control. Even though I started pouring my own baits last year I still find myself buying other brands(namely slider). I just can't control myself. I'm looking around my spare room. Ive got molds everywhere, gallons of plastic waiting to be used, baits waiting to be thrown, and I just did an order for more plastic baits. I couldn't throw this much plastic in a lifetime. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

I bought a thousand 2ml bags. They suck. They rip and leak. I would go with the 4ml. I had a bad batch of 4mls too. You couldn't get the bags open without tearing the bag down it's sides. I'm going with 3mls next.

I toying around with the idea of making my own beetle spin. Something a little beefier than the original. I already have the bodies poured. I was wondering if you can purchase the jig and arm somewhere or do you have to purchase them seperate. I was hoping to find one that had the arm molded into the jig without having to start pouring my own lead. Thanks.

Woodsac,Thanks a million. I thought the subject had been covered before. I couldn't figure out how to do a search. :oops:

Decided to try some of the old lurecraft molds(remember those) I had laying around. It seems like they have lost a bit of their shine(the baits are a little on the dull side). Anyway to clean the mold or add something to the mold to"bring it back to life?" Thanks

OK. forget it. Sorry for the trouble.

Can't seem to post anything in the trader post. Tm, most of the molds I juxt listed are the ones from the older post. I think I described them better in the old post. I also have some aluminum mold that I would like to get rid of.

Thanks guys. I'm going to start pouring as soon as I get done with this reply. I'll let you know. I don't think it's the plastic not being hot enough. Maybe the mold is too cool?

Getting frustrated. Tonight for some reason my pours keep coming out with what looks like stress fractures in the plastic. It's only doing it with the aluminum molds. Can't figure out if it's the plastic being too hot, mold to cold,combo of both, or am I just pouring wrong? Could it be that I'm not letting the plastic stay in the mold long enough?

For the Calhoun gallon bucket,I use a ladle that has a little spout on one side. That way I can stir it real well and then pour it in to the pyrex cup.

The fed ex shipping is cheaper. I ordered some plastic, softener, and a mold and ended up saving around $12.00 by shipping fed ex. It takes a little longer, so if you can wait it's worth it.

Brent, Great looking baits. I love that spade tail(have it myself). The colors look amazing. Stick with the aluminum molds. The baits look a 100 times better then the rubber molds. You fish any of the rivers(Llano,Blanco)?

I rig 'em texpose with a 1/0 or 2/0 for the 4inch ones. I like to use a 1 for the 3inch or I'll nose hook them. I like the 3 inch the best. I also rig the 3 inch with a mushroomhead jig.

That's a great looking bait and mold. Shouldn't have any problem catching fish with it. I can't help and think if there was a small version of that , Maybe 2-3 inches, how great of a topwater bait that would be. The shape of the body and the way the arms stick out, it's the first thing I thought of.

Chris, I agree with you 100 percent about the big bait, big bass thing. I throw small baits all the time.

I just checked the site and saw that he has grub molds. Can't wait to see the pictures. Looks like there's going to be a one piece and a 2 piece mold. When are those pics going to be up ? Any word on the shape?

I'm sticking with calhoun. Plus Del is great to deal with.

So far I'm happy with calhoun. What is 3-g? Is that what M-F sells?

I like to pour the body first. When I get to the begining of the tail section I like to have a steady flow of plastic going(I use pots), but not full blast. I kepp the lever handle up just enough to keep a steady flow. When I get near the tail I let go of the handle. It's usually enough to finish off the tail without overflowing. It take a little bit of practice. I don't get it right 100 percent of the time, but this method has increased my chances of doing a good job on the tail section. Just keep at it and it will become second nature for you(even if it doesn't seem like it right now). I just did a few hundred myself.

Thanks guys. I'm going to keep at it. Chirmy, I like that idea. Nova, those grubs are great looking.

I seem to be getting "stress cracks" or something right above where the 2 colors meet. The colors are the same temp. Could it be caused from the second color pouring over the first color? I'm thinking it might be spreading the first color. Any suggestions? I'm using Lee pots. When you do the 2 colors do you pour both colors in the same direction? Also, do you like the plastisol to be thin like water or a little thicker? Thanks for the help. I've gotten a few nice pours but still not consistent enough.

I have a friend who owns a tackle shop and I'm going to put my baits in his store this year. If it works out, great. I pour for myself and my friends. If I can make some money to help support the addiction so be it. I think it would be best to get your baits in the water and try to get a "buzz" going about them. If people start asking for them in the shops, the owner of the shop might want to try and find out what all the "hype" is about your baits. Maybe that's one way to do it.

I was wondering if anyone here knew of(or makes) a good stitchin' rod. According to Bill Murphy he uses a 2 piece 7'6" fiberglass rod. He state in his book"A good stitching rod needs a slower flexible tip section to generate the whip action necessary to cast a light rig a long distance even into strong wind, and because most of the pressure that comes from battling a big bass,or setting the hook, is placed on the middle of the rod, a stitching rod should flex parabolically with the power generadted from the middle and not solely from the butt section." The rods need to handle 8-12lb line. Thanks

I use a pot. I added stabilizer to the mix . I even tried adjusting the temp. The only problem with that is if I turn the dial a hair too much the plastic has a hard time pouring out. I'm going to give the calhoun a shot and see if I still have problems. Thanks for the advice guys.

I was pouring a smoke color batch today. The first half of the pour came out great. The second half ended up with a darker smoke than the first half. Not sure what the problem is. Any ideas? I'm thinking it's the plastic itself. I'm using LC 536. Think I'm going to try some calhoun next. If my memory serves me correctly,I remember some of you saying that it can withstand heat better than LC plastic. Is the calhoun harder than the LC536?