longhorn

How are you pouring them to allow you to laminate?

I use iced tea spoons because of the long handles but I have the advantage of being able to stir while heating since I use heat lamps instead of a microwave.

Merry Christmas from Texas. Hope everyone's taking a break and enjoying something other than making baits

I'm thinking why would anyone make a mold of a silly rabbit. Have you actually fished this bait?

California Swim Babes http://www.californiaswimbabes.com/ was formerly called Eagle swim baits...could be an old bait they made.

The bubbles come from a hole in the sealer....look closely at the bait and you can see where it comes from in the cavity...touch it up with some more Elmer's and it will be fine. Rarely do I ever get a mold to pour the first time without a few bubbling cavities.

Great looking mold and in one shot you've got enough for a package or a day on the lake. In pouring plastic, unlike going to the dentist, it's great to have lots of cavities...oh that's so corny

Three or four minutes..then drain. When it dries do a test pour...most times a second application is needed or you can touch up with a brush where you get bubbles in the bait.

I must be missing something...the Bob's website I go to doesn't have a 6" swimbait or inserts...could you please give me a link? Thanks.

Don't know where this 2003 string came from but will throw in MHO. Elmer's Glue All is the best coating for plaster molds period...Easy to apply....brush on or flood with a 50/50 water mix....cheap....hardly any loss of detail...dries quickly and lasts forever...no release agent needed...glossy finish....etc, etc. Try it, you'll like it.

and I thought I was the one who thought of adding coffee before Strike King. Y'all are way ahead of me....glad to hear the on the water results.

I don't think you can get a wood carving to release. I would make a wax carving or put your wood in RTV. Only thing I can think of.

I add salt powder (made in a blender) to the plastic for the sole reason of making certain colors. Some of the best colors have no dye at all...just glitter. For example the good old salt and pepper color is just salted plastic and black flake....most bluegill is just salted plastic and flake. It makes the bait retain light and reflects the color of the flake better than plain clear plastic. I don't know how many batches I tried of both before a friend in the tackle business told me salt and pepper had no dye...I was then able to make salt and pepper and bluegill that looked like storebought or at least I think so

Good idea on getting the legs to fill...I'm sure that will get some wheels turning. Thanks for sharing.

Thank y'all for the great info. Lots of stuff I'd never thought about.

My photos never come out quite like I want them to. There is some great photo work on here...any of you want to share your method? Thanks.

Great looking mold !

I also pour in a shed and when it gets very humid the plastic that is left in the pans gets moisture on it especially the stuff with salt. It doesn't ruin the plastic though...it just cooks out in a few minutes. You might want to store your finished baits in some of those cheap take along plastic containers that have a lid that seals...this will prevent the condensation.

I use molded but I think a flat eye would work also. Let us see what you come up with.

If the profile of the carving will trap it in the plaster you might try RTV for your master mold so it will release. Hard to say without knowing the shape of the your carving...or you could try to carve another out of wax so you'll be able to use plaster.

Barlow's Tackle Shop has a good selection of eyes.