GB GONE

Anybody have any suggestions??? I think I might look at the Cook Tackle Systems but would like feedback from naybody on this product or others you may use.. The amount of tackle I have right now is low but soon I will be re-stocking and would like to go about it in an organized fashion (if possible )... Jim

Sorry Saint...I'm strictly a freshwater guy. I actually lived in FL before here and have only fished saltwater 2 times in 25 years !!! Jim

Here is my Junebug recipe. I have found through trial and error that you need a mix of colors to get close to what you see on the shelf... 8oz plastic....35 drops Black Grape (LC)..15 drops Grape (M-F) and 5 drops of Black (LC)...I use the measuring spoons from Walmart that have the dash, smidgen, etc. I add 2 heaping "dashes" of green flake...A great spin is to also add some small red flake as well... Hope this helps.. Jim PS LC= Lurecraft M-F= M-F manufacturing

My bad!!! Us southern folk just have no clue !!!! Must be plastisol on the brain !!! Jim

From what I see out on the net, most of the colors are just close to roadkill (green goby colors) and some light pumpkin with a lot of gold, black and silver flake... I have noticed that the goby has become the main forage for smallmouths (where gobies have infested) so I though it would be good to come up with a color... Maybe I need to work on a bait that resembles one as well. I know I have seen a few out there already... Jim

I know crawfish (crayfish to some ) come in so many colors. I'm looking to make some beaver type baits for a guy in Louisiana that says "Just send me something in crawfish color." Any ideas???? Suggestions??? I've already put some of my "Crawfish" color in the mail to him but would like to hear other ideas!!! Thanks!!! Jim

Here are some of my RKC sticks...Sometimes I will intentionally stir the plastic with a popsicle stick to get bubbles so the stick will float well!!! Hope this helps!!! Jim

I pour 99% of mine with no salt at all...Calhoun's is soft enough right out of the bucket.. Sometimes. a customer will ask for "salt to taste"..Then I add about 1 teaspoon of popcorn salt to 6oz of plastic. I will add about half of a teaspoon of softener in this case just to keep the bait good and soft... Jim

I'd add the carolina rig also!!! Guys are just KILLING the fish with the 3.5s right now!!! I know some dudes drop shotting them also... These are versatile baits!!! Jim

Hey guys....If you watch any Bass Center,you would see that the pros are using these on a regular basis on lakes with spots or smallies!!! I bet they are using them for largemouth also!!! Forget the 4" finesse worm guys use, go with the "unsalted" sticks!!! I use a 1/4oz ball head jig and it kills when flipped under docks!!! I sold some "unsalted sticks" and jig head combos on Ebay not long ago and the guy who bought them emailed me after a weekend of fishing for 100...no salt!!! You gotta love pouring them without the salt!!!!! Jim

I'm no help on this one...I rarely go to RIs site and have only held a "sweet Beaver" in my hand once (White Trash color)... I've always been a "do my own colors" guy...It's a PITA when you start matching cause nobody will be happy no matter how close you get!!! Also, you will have to start matching Zoom, Culprit, Yamamoto, Berkley, etc if you get into that game. To many recipes for me!!! Just my 2 cents...I'm looking for somebody to ask how to match a Ghost Bait Wicked Watermelon or Secret Weapon.... Jim

www.daimonlures.com.... Jim

Ok...So I've been "hooked" on the beaver type baits myself now. I've used them flippin' and pitching, drop shot (I like!!!) and now even carolina rigged after some extremely awesome comments from a customer. As I was pouring some the other night, I ran out of plastic and only had enough for the "body" portion. Check this out...They are completely unstopable on a nice small hair jig. Give the jig some bulk and really move some water. What a great secret weapon!!!! I think I'll call them "G-Buds"...If you can pour these, try this out and you will be amazed at the fish you catch!!!! Jim PS Thanks again Smitty for the hair and hair/rubber jigs. They are OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

Don't use Pearl Blue!!! What I have is Smoke Blue Pearl coloring...They are different. As Mojo said before, you are looking for the hi-lite NOT the pearl powder. The difference is great!! Pearl make the bait opaque and hi-lite will make it look like the color is on the surface but no opaqueness at all. Cal is right, if you add salt...your bait will be opaque!!! Jim

Joel is probably thinking what I am. Looks like the Smoke Blue Pearl color from M-F but just like 2 or 3 drops to 8oz.... It is hard to tell without having a bait to look at with the light colors. What have you tried so far???? If you want to try some of the Smoke Blue Pearl color, let me know. I'll put some in a tube and send it on for you to try!!! Jim

Got an urgent need for some 4" tubes in black with blue/purple/green flake. I have a picture if need be...My pro staff guy says he has the winning pattern but only has 2 tubes left. Anybody know where to get a color like this or can I coax a TU member into making me some (about a dozen or so).. Anybody have any ideas or able to get some done..post up!! I'll pay the price or trade you for some Roadkill Camo (or another color of your choice) split tails (beavers)!!! Jim

I have one guy in IL right now and getting ready to add a lady in LA (Louisiana not Los Angeles )!!! You will know right away if they "fit" with you!!! I give them a discount (15%) but always am sending them other colors to try for nothing. I use them to test out new designs and colors all the time. You will know if they are working for you as you will get calls or bait orders and the customer will tell you..I'm a friend of so and so..He/she said you would take care of me. My pro staff guy ROCKS!! Not only is he a great angler, he emails and calls me all the time with ideas. He talks my baits up all the time. I would definitely get a resume!!! My guy also guides and works at a tackle shop so he has my baits in front of anglers all the time!!! I'm sure everybody else has a thousand anglers asking to be pro staff for them like me but you can just feel out the person by talking to them and you will know if they are going to take care of you like you are taking care of them.. Jim

If it is a light watermelon you might want to check out Del's website. He has a color that is light watermelon. I don't have it but a friend says it is good!!! Jim

Not sure of the weight comparison but I can tell you this. If I add 2oz of just salt to 6oz of plastic and pour sticks and add 1 1/2oz of salt and 1/2oz of flakes, the flakes sticks are WAY softer, sink faster and wiggle like crazy when they sink. I have tried a bunch of combinations in the recipe and found that this one is just great!!! I'm also adding about 1 1/4oz of softener... Jim

Sorry...plaster of paris... Jim

Decided on Shimano Scorpion 1000's...What a great choice!!!! Top of the line reels and I can throw a 1/16oz bait as far (and accurate) as my partner that is throwing a 1/4oz bait!!!! The souped up models from Japan are just the sweetest reel I've ever had in my hands...bare none.... Now for a rod that does it justice...If I can get my wife to stop buying shoes :-D , I might be able to spring for a Kistler LTA... Jim

Don't forget about Senkosam's flakes!!! I have had some many comments about how soft my sticks are I could fill up the soft plastics area!!! The flakes allow you to add more weight without adding so much salt. Plus the baits stay together better and the salt that you do add stays in suspension so well, I rarely have to stir after the first pour. Your flake stays into suspension also!!! IMHO..there is no beating the "flakes"..I won't pour sticks without them!!! Jim

More discussion.... While I totally agree about the whole uniformity deal, I have to say that it is also a challenge to be able to make baits that look like they came from a machine and to be able to re-create a color from one batch to another... Part of the fun for me is holding up a bait I poured on Tuesday with a bait I poured on Thursday and saying...ahhhh!!! Perfect match!!! Otherwise, why have a recipe book, just throw that out!!! Or send it to me :-D !!! I know the fish don't care but I actually do...OK, call me a perfectionist. I've been called worse !!! If you are actually trying to may a buck or 2, your really and truly trying to catch anglers, not fish, unfortunately. I was told this by many of TU members in the beginning of my "hobby". My ultimate goal is to give the angler a bait that catches fish but if it looks good also, BONUS!!! Just my side...BTW, I do still pour some baits out of "pop" molds...Now there is a challenge of getting out a good bait!!!! Jim PS I give my wife the seconds, I use "good" baits !!!

Has anybody else heard the story going around about RI (reaction innovations) going out of business : ???!!!!! I've had the conversation with 2 shop owners now. I'm just curious if anyone else has heard this. Doesn't sound right to me but you never know... Jim