snookin4 Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hello all, Just decided to join after reading all the great info here. Very nice forum, lot's of great info. I've been making my own lures since I was a kid. My dad used to pour his own worms/ jigs etc. I haven't poured soft plastics yet and was wondering if someone could direct me to a basic resource/book. Also, in an unrelated experiment, how permanent is the dye used for worms? I have been experimenting with using food dye to color natural trolling baits and wonder if there's any potiential for soft plastic dye. (if this is a dumb question remember I've never used the matierials ) Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted December 17, 2003 Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 Hi Snookin4, Where you at in Florida? There are a few resource books available for making baits, but I'm not sure if pouring soft plastics are covered. Everything Ive learned come from this group & good ole trial & error. MF has a small how-to on thier site, but heres a link from Zeiners: (Same thing) http://www.zeiners.com/mfhow.html Theres a plastic dye available called "Spike-it" but its for use after the plastic has cooled. Most people add plastic "pigments" or dyes to thier plastic before they pour in the mold. these are 2 different types of dye. But to help answer your question, I think "Spike-it" can be used for live/cut baits, someone correct me if I'm wrong, Ive never used it. Welcome to the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 17, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2003 thanks red, I'm up in j'ville. I figured there wasn't too much out there just on plastics. I know about spike-it, I was just curious about the pigments 'cause it's hard to find chartreuse food dye. Thanks for the link, I'm sure I'll have a few more questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavu Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Hi Snookin4 What exactly are you trying to dye? Sounds like you might be dying natural trolling baits. I never thought of that idea. If that is what you are dying, I know cost would be an issue. Have you tried Rit dye. Might try soaking the baits in salty Rit dye and if the dye took, the bait would also be tougher. Wonder what a red 8" ladyfish would look like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 cavu, yea, that's what I'm working on. Adding color to ballyhoo, mullet that type of thing. I can't help but always think... "I wonder what would happen if......" I didn't think about the Rit dye, great idea. I'll bet it'll works great in a brine. Thanks I also have been known to make all kinds of crazy lures some work, most don't but its still fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 I know nothing about salt water fishin at all.....But i think coloring natural baits is a great idea... Wonder if there is someway I could dye minnows for crappie fishing and keep them alive???? That would be way cool, to have living chartruese minnows!!!! Surely someone has thought of this before....... ANyway, good to have you here, thats a great idea. Now you got my wheels churnin.. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 LOL, Well......... I got the idea from I think Cabela's they had some dyed nightcrawlers. It got me to thinking, why not make a dye that you could color dead or alive baits in. That's when I tried food coloring but had to really dump a ton in but does work on dead bait okay but is limited in choices I've been looking for something to color shrimp/ minnows and trolling baits really bright colors. I'll let you know how the rit dye does with both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 I really think being able to dye live bait is a great idea. If someone figures this out they would be on thier way to big bucks. My girlfriend is a highly educated chemistry grad. Maybe she can help me out........wirth a try John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Dang, I guess I'll need to kick my experiements into high gear then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Hey snook, I wouldnt worry about me figuring it out before you very much.......she is really busy studying to be a pharmacist......lol God knows I wont figure it out without some help, but I am willing to give it a go. Ill let you know if I make any breakthroughs. If we figure this out somehow, there would be enough cash to go around im sure......lol I really cant believe someone hasnt tried this before.........But i searched the web and came up with nothing.... Good Luck John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 18, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 Yea, I was joking, but that's exactly what I'm working on. Be happy to share notes with you, we'll have to see what we can come up with. I know I'll be able to figue something out, fish change colors based on their enviroment all the time (just need to create a chartreuse one ) I checked you site, nice. May have some questions for you since I'm saltwater & you're fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BumBaits Posted December 18, 2003 Report Share Posted December 18, 2003 This may be way off , but food colorig is safe to consume....wonder if it would kill off live bait if added, in moderation, to a live well....over a period of time it seems the fish, if they survived the initial coloring shilacking, the would eventually take on the color....Sort of like mother nature's version, when bass are around estuaries they take on a deep green color....who knows.....anyone feel like killing off a few dozen minnows ? As for Spike-IT a lot of offshore guys use it here along the Texas coast on ribbon fish....they dip the tails in it....some swear by it, and some say it s a waste of money....to each their own...I'll stick to throwing soft plastics a trout and redfish... Merry Christmas All..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted December 19, 2003 Report Share Posted December 19, 2003 I was thinking food coloring would be a good starting point. A buddy of mine keeps minnows year round so maybe he will give me a few to experiment with.....Or I could just walk to his tank and be like....oops i spilled a bunch of dye in your tank, lets see if they live.... Definately something worth experimenting with, however I dont have alot of time right now with pouring all dang night.... Tru to do a lil experimenting over the holiday and see what happens. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookin4 Posted December 19, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2003 Or I could just walk to his tank and be like....oops i spilled a bunch of dye in your tank, lets see if they live..... LOL I keep eyeing my son's fish tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
