Anyfish

I sent you a PM.

This is outstanding advice. I honestly hadn't ever had residue left behind before. However, a used mold showed up the other day with lots of it, so I get it now. I used dish soap and water and scrubbed it with a hoof pick/brush from the local feed store. Looks like new as of this morning.

This is 100% true. Well said Les.

I haven't ever used white glitter, but a few ideas I have ever time I see it... Use it as a replacement for white colorant...or Make a clear bait with small amounts of white and black glitter...or Chartreuse baits with white glitter...or

I have a few of the stone molds and they work fine. As far as +/- here are a few thoughts: + = cheaper than alum molds, many are made outside US, so you can find replica bait molds that may not be otherwise available - = the molds used to take about 6 wks to get once ordered. However some are made in Ukraine, which may be hard or impossible to deliver currently. They need to be oiled before use to prevent sticking, stone could break, the ones I have are all one cavity. CNC Alum - baits will be professional looking, molds are solid as long as taken care of, they are costly, depending upon the bait can be found in multiple cavities. There are numerous bait companies to look through. 6" swim bait - I would look at the open pour molds at Angling AI. 6+" not sure. Hope it helps.

Why clean it? Does it cross contaminate colors? Not weld baits as well because of build up? I ask as I don't have a hot knife, but plan on getting one in very near future.

I have bought a lot of items from barlows over the years. It honestly doesn't bother me. I just order enough items that it doesn't matter or look someplace else. When I'm ordering items on-line, I really look over shipping costs as some retailers charge a lot and others not so much.

I haven't ever tied one, but looking at pictures, it looks like a scud hook of some size. I think these would give you a better eye instead of the octopus style hooks. Hope it helps.

Thanks for the info. Those are nice looking baits. I really like the purple/green one.

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.

Hello Everyone. I am wondering if anyone can share thoughts on the angling ai ecto craw. I have the mad dad craw from do it, so wandering if it is comparable to that or different. Thanks.

One other thought. If you ever plan on coloring anything you find, a good read is: Dyeing and Bleaching Natural Fly-Tying Materials by A.K. Best. You can probably find it through a public library or in a used book store.

This topic is probably better suited for the wire baits section, but every time I have modified molds, I just place what I want in the mold (hook, weedguard, etc), close the mold tight in a vice and maybe smack it a time or two with a rubber mallet. In many cases this changes the mold enough. If not I just use a small file or dremel to finish it up. Some people have recommended products to fill in molds but I haven't tried them and don't remember name off hand. The rule I have for myself is not to try and modify a mold I wouldn't want to repurchase if I mess it up to bad. Just remember to go slow.

And to add a bit more...... If you have a farm near you goats also shed. Alpacas and Llamas are sheared on a regular basis and would make good dubbing. You could make friends with a rabbit and poultry breeder as they may have free pelts. Remember to obtain stuff legally. Some feathers/fur are not legal to obtain, others have stipulations on what documentation you need to have in order to use. Most park duck feathers are fine but a roadkill eagle/hawk/owl wouldn't be. If you haven't yet, a good read is The Feather Thief.

You are only limited by your imagination. A few things I have done... Roadkill of all kinds. Make friends with a taxidermist for scraps. Cats, dogs, rabbits, etc all shed and all make great bugs. Go to local parks for feathers or get a pet chicken/duck. Stuffed animals have neat dubbing. There is probably more, but it's a start. The main thing is just have fun.

I haven't fished a Fat Albert grub, but I did find this one... https://www.baitjunkys.com/Fat-Albert_p_535.html I can't speak to this mold as I don't own it and I found it on a Google search.. I fish the Do-it Molds 3" Essential Series grub. https://barlowstackle.com/Do-It-Essentials-Grub-Mold-3-P3682/. It may not be what you are looking for, but the mold is relatively low cost, and the bait catches fish. Do it also has their Chub Grub. https://store.do-itmolds.com/3-K-Chub-4-cavity_p_1106.html

I haven't ever tied on anything bigger than a 5/0, but me more with Buckhalter, Flashabou and other materials the only advice I can say is to tie in small amounts at a time. For me it always turns into a mess when I try and add to much at a time. For tying skirt materials, look up some of the stuff smalljaw has done on YouTube. He does fantastic work.

I almost forgot, once you find the plastisol you like, try and find/buy it in as larger quantity as you will use and can afford. In the end it is cheaper. The price per quart may be $15 while the 5 gallon may be $150. Just one idea to reduce your overall costs.

It really depends upon a lot of things, however here would be an example for injection baits. Mold - $35 for Do-It Essential Series Mold (molds range widely in price depending upon what you want) Plastisol - Varies by Brand and size - $50 Gallon Colorant and Glitter - $15 total (a few basic colors) Tools - Injector, clamps, etc - $70 Total for above - $170. Some places sell kits so you could get certain products combined and lower the cost. Like many hobbies 1 mold turns into 10 and 1 color turns into 20 and on and on. All the molds and tools are resuable so cost goes down in theory. If you look around you can find sales or used stuff. In the end do I save money making baits, not even close. Would I get into the hobby again, 100x over.

Thanks for the replies. I ordered one of Curt's molds through enforcerbaitmolds. I'm excited to give it a try.

Thanks a lot!!!. I looked at enforcer baits but missed these.

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'll check it out.

Does anyone know where to get a mold similar to a 4" Power Worm (c-tail worm not a ribbon tail).

Not sure on the actual size. They are small. With a ruler the socket is about 1/16" maybe a little bigger. I don't put eyes on them. If I want eyes I just color it with a sharpie.

I have the 1.75 and the 2.25. They both make great baits that are easy to shoot and the fish like them. I use the smaller for bluegill, perch, and trout. They have a lot of action for a small bait.