Painter1

You do have to close the loop , and can either squeeze to overlap or just gently close with Klines. I have received so much help on this forum it is a pleasure to be able to contribute back.

I have had poor results using the standard wire form for the Herring Head Underspin Molds. Following is the detailed method that is working better. First - buy the wire forms made for use 3/4 oz hammered spoon mold. http://www.lurepartsonline.com/Online-Store/Mold-Wire-Forms/HS-Form-Inserts.html Next - gather the following tools as shown in photo including Wire Cutters, Kline Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Sharpie Cut the wire form in half insert hook into mold. (Note: I am using the Owner 5318 size 3/0 with a 3.5 inch "Keitech Fat Swing Impact" style Swimbait, because it puts the line tie very close to the jig head and the thin wire hook allows easy and consistent hook-ups by simply reeling through the bite and "leaning" on the rod some. ) Lay wire in mold with the loop closure gap facing forward and straight portion across the hook Mark the intersection of the wire and the hook with a touch of the Sharpie. Bend at the Sharpie mark with the Kline pliers to a 90 degree angle, then use round nose pliers to extend the bend a bit more into a slight hook angle. Cut off excess wire. It is Okay for the wire to stand up a bit off the hook. I am using a mixture of 60% soft lead & 40% "AntLead" (contains 3-5% Antimony) to harden the lead and better hold the wire in place. Some trimming around the hook eye is expected.

Thank you, Sir. I did not know that.

A guide freind of mine wants me to make him some stick baits that closely resemble some swimmer and grub colors he likes. The colors he likes aren't available in a stick bait. They each have pale underside with a Six (6) different recipes topside. So I'm thinking Seven (7) recipes are needed for the project. I told him I would make the baits for him but would need to pay someone to make the recipes. Any suggestions related to someone who provides a custom recipe service would be welcome.

Thanks, Ted. All my molds are sprayed with drop-out, but that is a good reminder to recount them from time to time. I us the 20 lb (green) furnace bought from a ammo making site - can't recall name but I have it cranked to 900. It appears that I will need to make my own wires that wrap over the hook in order to get the durability I'm seeking. We took about 40 of these baits to El Salto in Mexico recently and were using the 3/4 & 1 oz baits in lieu of 8XD crank baits for deep fish. The big girls loved them with a size 4 willow blade but they were hard on the baits., tearing out most of the wires. We did catch some 8-9 lb Bass, though the 3 & 4 lb fish did most of the damage. Currently 50/50 use of soft & ant-lead is working if I keep the mold VERY hot, but am now bending my own wires, .042 stainless from McMaster Carr with Boggs wire bender for the loop. I haven't field tested them yet but hope to soon.

I made some larger underspin and the problem (wire pin pulling out) was even worse. The fish loved them but they were destroyed after a single bite. So I ordered the lead with 5% antimony from robometal, emptied the furnace, refilled with that Lead/antimony alloy material. The problem now is the mold won't fill all the way down the hook shank. I heated the mold but no joy. There nust be a ratio of soft lead to the alloy lead that provides the flow & hardness needed for this. Any suggestion in that regard are most welcome. I discovered that the wire form HS-34 for 3/4 ounce hammered spoon, can be used in lieu of the semi-useless wire form WE525 or WE375. The loop end fits and the wire can be halved, bent & trimmed to fit the particular size mold.

I'm loving the HH under spin but the wire form comes loose too easily. Mostly I have only used the 1/4 oz size so maybe the larger ones will have better grip. I am using soft lead and thinking a harder material may help. I've never added any additive to lead and would welcome any thoughts I also plan to bend some wire to make a different wire form and see how that works.

Just getting back from doing some traveling including some fishing at El Salto. Have to catch up this week but will be contacting to schedule a date

I expect to spend much of the month of February in the shop making various soft baits utilizing the large, small and hand Injection systems. Powder & spray painting, making various lead Jigs and spoons, tying some hair, hackle & marabou jigs will also be on the agenda. I am more than happy to let others work with, learn and get some hands on time with the equipment, should they desire. Just contact me tto schedule it. We are in Creve Coeur, MO 63141, a St. Louis suburb. Whatever we make you can take with you or we can offer it on our non-profit site for donations www.whiteriverlures.com

I expect to spend much of the month of February in the shop making various soft baits utilizing the large, small and hand Injection systems. Powder & spray painting, making various lead Jigs and spoons, tying some hair, hackle & marabou jigs will also be on the agenda. I am more than happy to let others work with, learn and get some hands on time with the equipment, should they desire. Just contact me tto schedule it. We are in Creve Coeur, MO 63141, a St. Louis suburb. Whatever we make you can take with you or we can offer it on our non-profit site for donations www.whiteriverlures.com

What is the low down on the flake salt?

Baits look good, but I'm not understanding hat your doing with the wire.

I got the email but accidentally deleted it. Do you need a code for the mold discount?

Thanks, guys. Just bought a couple and will try them.

Looking for a mold that resembles a Super Fluke. Suggestions welcome.

Looks like what you might expect from a Speed Craw.

Bought 4 molds also

Good idea. Thanks, Frank.

I bought it in a gallon jug and shook it like any other gallon of plasitol. Can't see any difference between top & bottom, but I guess I need a mixer bit that will fit in a gallon bottle opening. Any have a mixing bit like that?

I used Spike-It Clearasol for the first time this week dipping some swimbaits with eyes. It stayed sticky. I heated it to 350. Am I doing something wrong?

I ordered some and have my fingers crossed. Thanks for the Intel.

There was a particular couple of molds I wanted some more of, and they are made by Del. I was reluctant to order direct, but since LC doesn't carry them any more I sent a message to Del. I was diplomatic but expressed my concern with past reputation of slow to no delivery of orders. I was promised delivery in 2 weeks. He has someone named April helping and the service and communication was excellent. Molds have been delivered ahead of schedule and look great. Will shoot some baits with them this week.

Devcon epoxy with half to 2/3 the required hardener will leave the lead sticky and substantially protected from oxidation.

5" is indeed what I'm looking for. Kim is sending some samples. This thing is as thick as my little finger

Looking for a mold that closely resembles a zoom magnum finesse worm & would prefer an open pour but injection would be fine too. Lurecraft has a lot of open pour silicone molds but the pics are indistinct and descriptions only provide length. As always, your help is most welcome.