GB GONE

LMAO Nick!!! Can't we all just get along!!!!!!! Jim

Looking for other ideas out ther guys.. I have tried a martini shaker (had to use that elsewhere!!), a small metal bottle thermos (worked great but to small), my pot (to much plastic waste) and just a pyrex cup. I bought a smaller, double walled ice bucket (stainless steel) to try out but looking for other suggestions. I seem to get about 30 minutes or so and then I brown out. If I turn the heat down, baits don't turn out right as I get some lumps!!! Any ideas or suggestions out there? I also have some 12-16oz double walled stainless steel beverage cups I am going to try down in my pot. Should insulate the plastic well from burning and also allow me to dip in different colors without wasting to much plastic... Jim PS I try to dip 4 at a time (if possible, so I need a container at least that big)...

I received this email just a short while ago. Might save some others a few headaches...(I purposely used #'s in the bait company name.) "I own a small lure company, ### ### Lures, in NC. I wanted to give you a heads up that Zoom Bait Co. goes after you if you use the words "Trick Worm" to describe any fishing product. I got a nasty letter from their attorneys and am madly changing labeling on product and changing names on line. Apparently they have gone after several small companies rattling their sabers. Hope this saves you some trouble..it is sort of flattering that a mega corp. spends so much time and energy going after the little guy! I think there is room enough on the lakes for all of us, but apparently not." Might want to consider a change if you are using trick worms on your site or packaging. Just a heads up!!! Jim PS Fluke and brush hog also seem to be registered trademarks of Zoom. Might be an issue for mold makers as well as bait makers!!!!

Yeah, my experience with worm oil is BAD!! It seems to toughen up the baits and also discolors many. I don't pour any colors or baits in advance so you can imagine what might happen in more than a couple days. I say dump the worm oil all together and get you some Upper Hand Scent!!! Highly recommend the Hawg N Garlic sauce!! Just a few drops lubes your baits up great. I don't use any salt like I used to a long time ago either. Just my opinion though... Jim

Leave the worm oil OUT!!!! Just use a couple drops of scent. Do a test like Sterling said and see what happens to your baits after a while with the worm oil....surprise!!!!! Jim

Might be able to give it double duty also!!!!!!! Never tried a martini but might need a few to keep up with the requests!!!! Thanks Craig!! Jim

SmokeyJ is right on!! I would get a name for my bait and trademark the name. Anoth thing that some companies do to stop you from using a bait similar to theirs is copyright the rigging instructions. They decide the patent route is to expensive and defending it is even more, so they write detailed instructions on rigging the bait and then get the instruction copyrighted. Long story short...go for it!!!! Jim

I think the heat will be trapped but so will the condensation from the steam coming off the plastic. My shed stays a bit on the cool side so i see it even with my cups now. Maybe not right away but it won't be long and drips will run down the can and off the top. My sides are the problem for me... or were. I am using some double walled, insulated "cups" on the cup warmes and can dip for a good long time before any re-heats. The best part is the plastic stays non-yellowed for as long as I dip. I am still working on the same problem as Mike. More than one bait coming out good when multiple dipping. I can get 3-4 now though... Jim

Stamina keeps backordering these and Janns are the wrong size. Does anybody have any other sources for the plastic containers. I am hunting some between 5"-6" (length) and some that are 3 1/2"-4" in length. Thanks!!! Jim

I'll look when I get to the house. They are silver/grey and have a low/high setting. I had been meaning to pick one up in the past but never got around to it. Thought I was going to have to get out the hot plate:nuhuh:.....YUCK!!! Jim

Yep!!! They tried to sell me the candle warmers ($6.99) but I wouldn't go for those!! I did find a battery operated one on-line but not sure it would fit the bill. These have made my life GREAT!!!!!!!!!! Jim PS If anyone has trouble finding them or does not have a Wally World and wants one, let me know. I can raid our Walmart and buy them up to send you one!!!

Yeah, get yourself (3) 2 cup Anchor cups and get rolling. I have tried a lot of stuff but stumbled on to something that all can use if you are a pyrex/anchor guy. Go to Walmart and look in the coffee section for the coffee cup warmers they have. The warmers are $2.00 each and will end your plastic cooling headaches!!! I used mine last night in 40 degree shed temp (trial time and then I turned the heat on). My cup stayed "pourable" for at least double the normal time. I also tested a cup without any color to see how the plastic reacted as far as burning or yellowing from the heat. Results were perfect as the plastic maintained its clear color for as long as I needed it to. My test was on 2 cups of plastic. When I used 1 cup, I had even more time. These little things are real stable and take up very little counter space. Heck for $2, you can hardly go wrong!!! Jim

Not sure... just pour a little in. Probably a teaspoon or so... Sure makes them smell goooood and the fish eat the baits up!!!! Jim

You will NOT be disappointed!! My 55 gallon drum will be on the way soon!!! PS You can also use your pyrex on a coffee cup warmer plate. Granted it is not real hot but does help maintain the heat well and prevents the plastic in the bottom of the cup from cooling off to fast. Plus, they are not to pricey!!! Got mine for .50 at a garage sale!!!! Jim

I mix IN my plastic and ON my plastic. Scent that is ON your plastic will be gone in the water quickly while the scent cooked IN will hold for a longer time. The cooked IN scent will also cover the "plastic" smell of your baits!!! As always, I use Upper Hand Scents for Doug, a TU member!! http://www.gobassin.com/bassscents.html Jim PS Have not noticed any scent making my baits softer. I would use your current formula as drops of scent do not seem to impact the amount of softener needed.

I'd look at going for both markets if the bait can be made with different plastic. Duel appeal would be awesome!!! I used to have the guys number that does all of Bassassin's baits. I'll look back through my stuff for it as they pour a lot of plastic and lead. Jim

While you would think that was the case, it is not. The freshwater fishing market is larger than golf, baseball, football, tennis, hunting, etc COMBINED!! I have the marketing studies that have been done but there is no comparison between saltwater and freshwater. In a way it makes sense though as most of the country has no access to saltwater. I am with Matt on this one. Make some molds and get to pouring. I have poured a 1000 bait order out of a 1 cavity mold in the beginning. You have to start somewhere. If you job it out now, you are a slave to that company. If they add something to it (ie lead on all the toys, antifreeze in toothpaste) and you don't know it, you may be liable for some serious jack!!!! Wish I could help out as I love these kind of deals and would help you pour them just to keep the business here in the US. PS Have you tried Kim at Lurecraft? If you have to send them somewhere, they will do them for you!! Jim

2 Mics and pyrex cups... I have 6 cups going many times!!! Just make sure you have the mold capacity to handle what you are cooking as it will eventually burn a little and the colors will fade. Be sure to add a little heat stabilizer unless you are using M-F. Then it is in the mix already. Jim

Well guys, after testing and fishing these for a good while, I will recommend a 5/0, 6/0 or 7/0 hook extra wide gap. The hook needs to be weighted, in my opinion, at least 1/16 but I prefer to start at 1/8oz. The bait will run towards the surface even with weight so if you need it to fish deeper, get a heavier weighted hook. I have recently tried the Gammy G-MAG hook and am impressed but it is still a little "thick" of a hook. You want to be able to get through a little plastic into the fish. Remember, you can weight the hook yourself with lead tape or even split shot. You can also use the screw in hook, I like a new one out there from Amistad Tackle co or you can use a regular wide gap hook. If the hook is pre-weighted and not screw in, you need to make sure you use the eye of the hook and push it up to the front of the bait from the bottom and then pierce the hook point through the belly. If you try to rig the normal way, the large piece of lead will tear your bait so bad that you will not be able to use the bait unless you use a bunch of glue. I may have some pictures in the next day or so for rigging with each hook style so that some of this makes sense.. Any way, I am getting great feedback on my paddle tails with guys catching fish in the back of the boat after the front angler peppers an area. Good to hear these are catching right behind spinnerbaits and cranks as they should be another great weapon in the toolbox!! Jim PS The Blade runner heads fish these good especially on schoolers. Also try a smaller one (3") on a chatterbait...hold on though!!!

TUBINATOR was THE MAN!!!! His post made me think about using the flake to creat the colors of the baits!!! This is exactly what TU has done for me. Read a post, say "That is a great idea" and then apply it to how I am making baits.... I have used the flake for other colors but the rainbow takes the cake to me!!! Not sure how many I can do an hour, never really try to crank them out as I concentrate on each bait. Jim

If you ever meet me Nil, you know I am far from Mr. Jim!! That's my dad!!! Cored with a mix of strawberry red/earthworm (M-F) colors... These baits are real pretty to look at and great fun to do. Shop floor has green flake all over it though!!! PS If anybody is heading to the BASSMASTER CLASSIC, I will be there and have a booth.... Hope to share it with another hand pour guy and a crank maker from this forum!!! Jim

Thanks guys.Believe it or not, this was my first try.. thought about them for several days though!! Been under the weather for a couple days. Spent several hours in the ER at the hospital today. Lucky I work there and know the docs or else my mold money would be gone!!! The glitter idea was a direct result of a member here!! I will give him some major props when I search back over that thread!! Just having the most fun I have even head doing these and the testimonials and pictures are coming in!! I'm just like you guys, trying to make a buck or 2 and have some fun doing it!! Yeah Sterling...Us hand pour dudes don't need no stinkin' paint!!! Jim

Looks like they changed the tail very slightly... Jim

They are an EXACT copy of Lurecraft's/Poor Boy's Silly rabbit.... Jim

Funny, I still have some Basstrix baits in my boat from about 3 years ago.. Maybe they are antiques now and I can get a premium on eBay...LOL Jim