Salt Suspension Test

[bluegrasslover]

Ok, I was having a hard time figuring out what type of salt to use. Some people say flour, some say regular granulated, some say fine. I've tried floured and regular granulated (granulated was damn near impossible for me to keep suspended).

This is by no means scientific like but what I did was take equal amounts of vegetable oil (I know this a bit thinner than hot plastic but it's just a test) and put in some glasses then measured out 1/4 tsp of 4 different salts...course, regular, popcorn (fine) and floured. I put the salt in, gave it a stir then timed how long it took to settle out. The course and regular were pretty much immediate. The fine took between 30 and 45 seconds to completely settle out. The flour took about 1.5 minutes to settle out (there was still some suspended at this point but the majority had settled). The fine was much clearer with suspended salt than the floured. The floured was very cloudy and opaque. The floured also formed some small lumps when I put put it in that were not easy to completely break up. I could easily see them in the oil but never would have in colored plastic. Although the floured stayed suspended much longer it appears to me, based on this test, that the fine salt would be the better choice. You have enough time to pour some molds between stirs and will definitely require less color than the same color attempted with the salt flour.

I just wanted to share my findings in case anyone else was wondering what to use.

Greg

[mainbutter]

Thanks for doing this test! I've been having issues with granulated salt settling out way too fast, and it's good to know someone else classifies it as "immediate".

My next stick baits are going to be using bear's super fine salt. Anyone who has used it before - would you classify it as "fine" or "floured"?

A personal opinion - It seems to me that many people seem to dislike opaque baits and much prefer clear or semi-clear baits. Personally, I much prefer too opaque than too clear. Most prey that I'm trying to imitate with my soft baits are not clear, why should my baits be?

[bluegrasslover]

Thanks for doing this test! I've been having issues with granulated salt settling out way too fast, and it's good to know someone else classifies it as "immediate".

My next stick baits are going to be using bear's super fine salt. Anyone who has used it before - would you classify it as "fine" or "floured"?

A personal opinion - It seems to me that many people seem to dislike opaque baits and much prefer clear or semi-clear baits. Personally, I much prefer too opaque than too clear. Most prey that I'm trying to imitate with my soft baits are not clear, why should my baits be?

You're welcomed. The last sticks I poured I tried granulated and I think about 80% of the salt went into the last couple of sticks. I stirred the hell out of it but it didn't seem to matter.

[FishingBuds]

yes, that was a great report, I haven't poured with any salt cause Im just not there yet. This was a good read for me, helps me understand the differences and why

[bear21211]

mainbutter

The salt we have is the finest crystal that we could fine. I do not like the floured salt as like posted above the color takes more colorant to get where you want to be. I do not remember the size of the crystal that we have but it was the smallest crystal that we could fine and we searched for 3 months.

Thanks for doing this test! I've been having issues with granulated salt settling out way too fast, and it's good to know someone else classifies it as "immediate".

My next stick baits are going to be using bear's super fine salt. Anyone who has used it before - would you classify it as "fine" or "floured"?

A personal opinion - It seems to me that many people seem to dislike opaque baits and much prefer clear or semi-clear baits. Personally, I much prefer too opaque than too clear. Most prey that I'm trying to imitate with my soft baits are not clear, why should my baits be?

[bluegrasslover]

mainbutter

The salt we have is the finest crystal that we could fine. I do not like the floured salt as like posted above the color takes more colorant to get where you want to be. I do not remember the size of the crystal that we have but it was the smallest crystal that we could fine and we searched for 3 months.

Bear, how is your salt in comparison to the popcorn salt? Finer? About the same?

Thanks,

Greg

[bear21211]

It is a finer crystal than the popcorn salt.

Bear, how is your salt in comparison to the popcorn salt? Finer? About the same?

Thanks,

Greg