Glitter Used To Color The Exterior

[patrick reif]

I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but it's an honest question from a guy with limited experience.

I'm pouring some fathead swimbaits as buzzbait trailers for muskies and jig baits for bigger bass. I'm trying to get a golden sucker pattern(major prey species) but don't want to put the time into laminant pours. I don't have the money, equipment or resources to cover the cost.

I've tried a few differant colors, but found a tan white plastic to pour with a dusting(in the rtv mold) of gold flake on the side and a majority of black flake on the back to produce the best color pattern.

I'm literally taking my finger and rubbing the flake in the side of the mold, and then pouring the solid color plastic on top of that. Black and modest gold flake on the top, and gold with modest black flake on the sides.

The flake seems to rub off if I put alot of Thumb pressure on the bait, but the majority stays put. What are the downfalls of doing this?

I've put 2 tablespoons of hardener in 1 cup of plastisol, and the baits have a good feel that (feels like it would) allow both durability and action.

I'm not trying to go in business, I just want to catch fish. My flunkies are buzzbait trailers.

[jimcline]

I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but it's an honest question from a guy with limited experience.

I'm pouring some fathead swimbaits as buzzbait trailers for muskies and jig baits for bigger bass. I'm trying to get a golden sucker pattern(major prey species) but don't want to put the time into laminant pours. I don't have the money, equipment or resources to cover the cost.

I've tried a few differant colors, but found a tan white plastic to pour with a dusting(in the rtv mold) of gold flake on the side and a majority of black flake on the back to produce the best color pattern.

I'm literally taking my finger and rubbing the flake in the side of the mold, and then pouring the solid color plastic on top of that. Black and modest gold flake on the top, and gold with modest black flake on the sides.

The flake seems to rub off if I put alot of Thumb pressure on the bait, but the majority stays put. What are the downfalls of doing this?

I've put 2 tablespoons of hardener in 1 cup of plastisol, and the baits have a good feel that (feels like it would) allow both durability and action.

I'm not trying to go in business, I just want to catch fish. My flunkies are buzzbait trailers.

The only drawback I see to it is what you already stated, the flake rubbing off with time. And if you're catching muskies the baits probably won't last that long anyway. That's a nice looking bait by the way.The only thing I might suggest is pouring your plastic or clear or opague in that color and then really pouring the glitter to it to get the shade you want.

[criggster]

I've had modest sucess in a two piece swimbait mold by first coating the mold with worm oil and then sprinkling the flakes onto the cavity. It does an OK job of holding the flakes to the sides of the bait. I don't know if it would work with a one piece mold. The best way would be to coat the outside in clear plastic after it cools. Sounds like you may be trying to catch the attention of a New River fish or two?

[patrick reif]

The New river for sure on the muskies, but any lake with a supply of 6lbs+ LM would do.

I'm not a color guy. I just don't think that color variations matter to river fish in faster currents, but I do think that action is key, but that isn't even a close second to location. However, i still want to present a good representation of local forage to the top predators.

Quality muskies and big smallies live in my waters and I want my best chance. If that means spending a bit more time over a pour, then I'm ready to do it. Unfortunately I can't afford to make many mistakes. Money is tighter than I've seen in many, many years, and fishing takes a back seat to feeding the kids. That's why I'm asking here before I go further and exhaust my fresh plastisol. I have plenty of baits to re-melt, but I don't have alot of the "virgin" plastic

[JSC]

Good Lookin baits (sure did take a time for them to load)

I think that "Rubbing" the flakes into the side of the mold is keeping them from being "Sucked" Up in the Plastisol .... The using worm oil on the mold first & then sprinkling the

Glitter in would get more "Sucked Up" .... Just count on a % of loose flake.

My 2 cents worth .. hope it helps

JSC

[longhorn]

I don't see a downside...the bait looks good. If that's the trailer...how big is the buzz bait!??!!

Edited February 15, 2010 by longhorn

[patrick reif]

I don't see a downside...the bait looks good. If that's the trailer...how big is the buzz bait!??!!

[patrick reif]

Here are the finished products.

I cut up some dark pumpkinseed flukes I'd poured last summer and added 1.5 cups of Calhouns with 2 tablespoons of hardener, and heated it. When it came back to the liquid state I added 10 drops of white, mixed and reheated for 30 seconds. I dipped my finger in .015 black flake and rubbed the back of the mold cavity, and then used a .015 copper/gold flake mix and rubbed down the sides, then poured.

I think they look pretty decent for realistic coloration of a golden sucker...maybe a bit more brown on the sides, but this will do.

Thanks for the help guys.