Bassinfool

I use a 4/0 in mine but in my limited experience most of the molds will take a hook one size bigger than the recommendations call for. If you wanted to go even bigger you would need to do some work with a dremel and carefully remove a little bit at a time to be able to incorporate an even larger hook.

Did this really warrant it's own thread?

Only problem with Dels is it may take you forever and a day to actually get your mold if you have to order through him.

Indeed. If my first, crude hand pours caught fish any of the baits in the essential line will do the same.

Depends on whose skirt you're looking to match. Most are a combo of black, pumpkin seed and a little chartreuse/banana seed. I like to do a half tab of black, 1 1/2 tabs of pumpkin seed barbed wire and then just a little bit of chartreuse maybe 1/4 of a tab. Adds up to around 45 strands.

You can add it any time in the cooking process.

I cover the eye when I dip with a pair of hemostats.

JB weld can take care of that

No it's certainly not enough for the fish to notice.

Here is a good link to the do it forum to get a good comparison of the baits. http://custombaits.com/index.php?topic=6652.msg49536#msg49536

Do it molds has a great starter kit. In order to get a two colored bait (known as a laminate) you either have to hand pour one color into the mold and then inject your second or you'll need a blending block and two injectors. Word of advice, if you're interested because you think you'll save money making your own you couldn't be more wrong! However, if you want to make them for your own enjoyment and thrill of catching fish on something you made then I highly recommend starting. It's a lot of fun to just sit around your shop and make up colors you've never seen. Do it has just come out with its essential series of molds colorants and glitters which would definitely be something to look into.

Nothing wrong with mine, I love it. Makes really nice baits.

Maybe more money up front but if you buy a lot up front that initial investment will last years.

1/2 cup plastic 2 1/4 tablespoons salt 1/2 tablespoon softener

It's a kind of paste like substance and really greys up the baits.

I've shot hundreds of baits with bead media and one thing that is absolutely imperative if you plan on doing so is to take some work oil and put it on the oring and lubricate the inside of your injector. I do this before I start and am pretty liberal with the oil. Then I add a little more after every 3 shots or when the injector feels like it isn't moving smoothly.

2-3 drops is plenty.

EWG all day. I rarely finesse fish and I am constantly swimming and flipping jigs. All of the ones I use are EWG and I rarely lose a fish if I make a good hook set. If you feel like that is a concern, take a stout set of pliers and open the hook angle a little bit.

Not sure off the top of my head. If I can find it I'll post it.

I agree with all of this.

I use soft plastic for everything and catch a lot of fish on my finesse worms. May not last you as many fish but the action is what I care about.

Are you sure what you're trying to match is a highlight and not a pearl color? Made that mistake once when I was first starting out.

Hm. Hard to tell then since I don't have the bait in hand I'll have to take your word for it that it's darker. Still looks like it has a green color to it. Try a basic watermelon and add a drop of black at a time.

Think you could airbrush the gelflex vodkaman? Wouldn't be able to have a nice transparent tail or anything but that could certainly be an option if the paint would adhere to it.