rxfish

While visiting my favorite tackle shop the other day, couldn't help but noticing a table with box upon box of Basstrix baits in any size and color, at least 6 large boxes of the same baits on the floor and 2 separate racks again with any size and color you would want. And it was just within the last year or so the demand for these baits was thru the roof. Granted many guys and maybe gals are now making their own and some of the big companies have joined in which gives Basstrix some competition. Its just amazing how quick things change in our sport. The price hasn't dropped near as I could tell. Oh well, I bought 6 boxes and some other stuff and was on my way. Another hundred bucks spent.

I use MF's super soft for the few swim baits I've made and didn't add any hardner, but did adjust the speed at which I retrieved the bait.

I've seen Empire's idea work here in my area. Especially for clubs that put on tournaments once or twice a year and have raffles. I always get involved in that. You could control the consignment thing local but for shops hundreds of miles away you have to rely on them counting the bags etc. I have suggested consignment to some shops and actually had them say they would rather pay. I also offer to buy the baits back if they don't sell, expecially local, as I know whats working most of the time and I know they are going to sell. I have advertised in bass magazines but history showed I rarely made my money back. I do better from websites like hitsunlimited.com where my stuff can be seen by both anglers and baits shops.

Well, I must say, you do have a way with metal. Very Very nice. I believe there is a market for this and it might be worth your while to look into it. If you planned on making baits to sell, I think you would be better off selling these.

My project for the winter will be fishing as our tournament season in my area starts in mid September and runs till mid June. I hardly ever fish from the end of June thru the first of September and leave the lake to the wake boarders and skiers. Besides with our lake levels being so low, its a real hassel to get in and out. I have the luxury of pouring baits for those who would be fishing during the summer in other parts of the country.

Thankyou Sir. Very Nice. I might have to buy that one too.

I know a guy in this same situation. He refused to give her a divorce so she ended up paying for it. Seriously, I hope it never comes to that. I get my wife involved by having her bag the baits while she watches TV and I give her a few bucks to boot. She likes the casino. Wiping the pirex out with a rag is usually all it takes. I don't like the idea of using water in the shop for anything. Water and plastic usually don't mix. I think all plastics smoke or give off fumes to some degree regardless of the temperature.

Your welcome, and if I ever get any water in my lake here, I'll let you know how they work.

No Jeff I'm sorry I don't have that one but would be interested in seeing a sample when you have the time.

Patrick the 879 is closest in appearance to the Osprey Winged Talon which has no fin on the top. There is no place for a mojo setup on the 879 and all baits are solid.

For those of you that ever wondered what some of the baits from the Lurecraft Swimbait molds would look like, I show 3 here and use the standard Basstrix bait to compare the size. The numbers of the molds from top to bottom are 879, 866 and 719.

As the saying goes, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Good Luck

I'll be truthful. That eyeball is just laying on the bait. I think this question has been addressed on here somewhere or maybe someone can put that up again. I used crazy glue a couple of times with limited success. Your going to loose the eyeballs eventually unless a coat of plastic or something covers them. As for hooks. I think the one shown is at least a 4.0. I'll check in the boat tomorrow for the exact size and also post a picture of the fish heads I mentioned. I ran across them today.

Sorry, Hope it goes this time

Here are 2 different pictures of the Lurecraft 783 swimbait and the hook we are using. This bait has a cavity in the bottom front like that seen on the Mission Fish baits so that type of weight and hook combo could be used. Also there are some fish heads on the market that we have used by cutting off part of the head of the bait and threading the hook and the head on. We used MF super soft plastic for these baits. The pace at which the bait is retrieved determines the best action and in this case it was slow. That subtle side to side movement seems to do the trick. On a recent trip to Clear Lake here in California we had half a dozen baits chewed up by short strikers. We will be testing these again in the California Delta in 3 weeks.

My son won a rod at a bass tournament and hacked off a bunch thinking it was to long. 6 months later he had a tackle shop add it back on. Someone good in this line of work should be able to do it for you if you really like the rod. Doing it yourself?, depends how talented you are.

Must have been the U.S. Open at Lake Mead and his name is Tom Matsunaga of Gardena, Ca. A tough bite there with only 1 bag over 10 pounds in 3 days of fishing and temps over 100. Good for you, I'm sure he will be one of your steady customers now.

I think salt left in the pot for an extended period of time, like not cleaning it for a couple of weeks, might have an effect on the metal, but the way we use them the salt is not in the pot for very long. My pots are quite old and I see nothing happening to the liner. Lurecraft sells new liners for about 4 bucks. Their not in the catalog and not on line, you have to ask for them.

I use super soft 100% of the time and find the product is plenty soft without adding the softner. If you add salt it may stiffen the baits some and then softner may come into play.

I use a 800 watt microwave I bought for $100.00 and also got a warranty so if it takes a dump in the first year I get another one. I only add non-bleed and florescent colors prior to cooking. Everything else gets added afterwards. 8 ounces cooks in 2 minutes 30 seconds with anything under a cup cooking in a minute 30.

Travis is right. Once you plug the only hole you have going into the mold, you might as well move on to the next one. I have 7 of the Del-Mart Aluminum molds for stik baits and none have holes to vent. I have found if the molds are warm or even hot the plastic is more likely to find its way down the hole even if it gets plugged. I think I read in here that if your making creature type baits with 2 piece molds they have to be vented as the routes for the appendages on the baits don't offer a way for the air to escape and the bait usually doesn't get poured completely.

I use MF plastic as well. I turn my gallon jugs once or twice and I'm good to go. Even in my 55 gallon drum, a few swirls with the pump I pump it out with and I'm good to go. Guess some plastics settle more than others so you just have to see what it takes to get yours right. I've used MF from day one and it works best for me.

No one has asked whether or not these baits have more than 1 color in them. From the posts above its assumed its a 1 pour deal. Most of the swim baits I have done using Lurecraft molds have had a least 2 colors and sometimes 3. Factoring out an injection machine and using the best in pouring pots I can't see anyone pouring 1000 of these in a day, unless you have a lot of molds and a lot of people pouring. If these baits have any size at all its going to take a lot longer to cool them off. You have the business, thats the good thing. Figuring the best way to whip them out is another thing. Wish you the best and will be interested to see how you resolve the problem.