rixon529 Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 This is for those of you who make salt water baits: Which plastic(s) do you prefer to use to make salt water baits? Do you add any hardener or softener? Thanks in advance for your replies. Rick H. Connecticut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajan Posted March 12, 2009 Report Share Posted March 12, 2009 I used to use MF's Saltwater. I found it would split easy. I have since went to Bears' Calhouns plastic in Med and I add slight ammount of hardner and I like the feel. I find the calhouns holds the hook better does not slip off, one problem I also had with the MF. You can go to www.bearsbaits.com and check out his prices for Calhouns. Someone else might come in and give you their 2 cents worth, but not many saltwater fishermen here LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artificial All The Way Posted March 13, 2009 Report Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) I have used the same plastic since I started last year so I can’t give you a well rounded opinion. I’ve only used Lurecraft’s #500. Has worked great for me. I make all large saltwater lures such as Sluggo’, Fin-S, and many of my own creations. Smallest is a 9” Sluggo. Striper candy. Plastic holds up great. I use a couple white Mr. twisters (because I have a giant 5 lb bag of them) and some white pearl silver flake to color my whites and crayons to make any other colors. Ordering another 5gal of it to start my spring time run lures that will start getting used with in a few weeks. I have only made PP molds so far. Like 50 of them. I heat the plastic in a microwave. No issues at all. Hardest thing was getting my heating times down. I do 1 minute for a cup and a half and then 30 seconds intervals until done. Cake walk now. 9” Sluggo’s are 5.75 for a 3 pack. I think it cost me under a dime to pour one. Can’t tell you how much cash I’ve saved and how many fish have sucked down my hand poured creations. MARJOR draw backs. Once you start you will have to show your fishing buddies. They will then be added to the people you have to make then for. Reason I now need to order 5 gals instead of one. Jay Edited March 13, 2009 by Artificial All The Way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcl58 Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 i have used M-F salwater plastic for the past 5-years with no issues. all hardened plastic will split, control the temperature of the plastic. heat to 350, maintain that for about one-minute while stirring. have a small toaster oven set at 300 to 320 degress and place your plastic in the oven betwwen shots. the heating and re-heating in the microwave weakens the molecular structure of the plastic. if you are hand pouring, then forget the toaster oven and melt what you need each time you pour. the second part that makes salt water plastic difficult is the actual setting of the hook in the lure, M-F plastic is tough (thats why most salt water lures are 60/40 plastic), if you are using 1/8 jig heads create a way to make a hook travel route in the lure, big jig heads are not that big of an issue. and thirdly, never leave the dock with out super glue, started using super glue in 1984 down in port mansfield, once you set the jig head in the lure with super glue there is zero splitting of any type of soft plastic lure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajan Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 (edited) I am not gona knock any plastic, they are all good prob. Problem I had with MF is the plastic splits where the hook comes thru the lure and it is very slippery plastic, why it comes out of the mold with ease. Ma' if you want to use the MF, might wanna try the med and add some hardner but the SW is not the best choice using straight up for coastal saltwater lures in my opinion. Maybe in real large offshore baits it might be good, but maybe you should get some of all the brands and find out for your self Edited March 14, 2009 by Kajan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rixon529 Posted March 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thanks very much for all your responses. At this point I'm leaning toward buying the LureCraft 502 - unless anyone can suggest differently (with a reasonable explanation, please). Looking forward to a productive 2009 season! Regards to all. Rick H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBRA Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 rick, i got your pm and i have been slammed with work and the company. LC 500, 502 will tear from the blues.the 500 holds up well. call me this week at some point if you want. 860-614-1491 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artificial All The Way Posted March 16, 2009 Report Share Posted March 16, 2009 I have never had any of the 500 split or crack. I hang my lures on the hooks with only a half inch holding them on. Just poke the hook through a half in from the front and cast like that. Get some that pull through but only after a bunch of casts and fish. They also float. So after you break one off you just go get it and remelt. Tried the 502 but it was to sloft. I don't add any hardener to the 500 and it holds up great. No plastic will stand up to the yellow eyed devils. When they rip your lure in half cast it right back out and hold tight. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
