Markell Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 I came across a worm design that I am excited about. While I was waiting on my chuncks to cool I picked up a trick worm and dipped it in my hot plastic (head first). What came out was a thicker, Longer completely round, smooth trick worm. I can't wait to tie this thing on. But I am a little concerned about two features of this worm. There is no flat side and it is completely smooth. I know you guys have opinions about these topics so here are my questions: 1. Why do commercial companies design their baits with a flat side? Is there an advantage for having a flat side to a bait? I recall reading a ealier post who stated that a flat side creates a better glide action. 2. Does the texture of the plastic make any difference? Would a textured bait out fish a smooth bait? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodsac Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Flat sided baits are primarily hand poured. Round baits are generally injected. This is when you're talking about mass production. Texture plays a huge role, in selling fishermen Texture does have it's advantages. The main one being that a finicky fish that picks up a bait with texture will be more likely to hold on to it longer or pick it back up if it feels more natural. Never cut a flat bait short. Especially a worm! There are lots of smooth round and flat sided baits on the market. Mizmo makes a tube that isn't cut at the end. It's just a long, smooth, round, boring looking bait. But when they first introduced it, it sold like crazy! Because it was different. I think Del even makes a smooth stick bait mold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigZ Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Most Hand poured baits from a single sided mold will have a flat bottom. The advantage to a flat sided bait is that it will fall slower and flutter quite a bit. When I fish C-rigs, I only use flat baits, unless they are grubs or senko type baits. There is nothing wrong with a flat sided bait. Some "fishermen" whine about baits not being round (my fishin buddy included)., until they learn about the effectiveness f a bait. I have not used a "brush hawg" since I started pouring my own, and I have caught 5+ lb fish on them. Test your baits in a fish tank or a swimming pool before you fish and tune them up. You will not be disappointed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Markel, the guys are right. Many baits have a flat side, including mass produced injection pours (ie. Zoom Trick Worm, Gator Tail, Chunk baits). But note one thing with the first two injection lures mentioned - the tail is rounded. Therefore the designer of the bait wanted a flat side. The Trick worm benefits hydrodynamically from the flat side by allowing more of a whipping side-to-side-action, accentuated by the clubbed tail Are segmented or textured plastics always preferrable? Most tubes made, are smooth, and those that aren't, don't last long (Uncle Josh screen-tube, Ultravibe ribbed tube). LC sticks are smooth, pretty much, and last year they convinced me that pouring was well worth the effort! Textured lures may affect the way a bass sees and feels a soft plastic. Hoo Daddy worms and grubs, Zipper products, disk grubs, ringworms, etc. all have a few things in common that thicker designs don't. The texture is functional. In other words, the ribbing makes the lure look bulky, thicker and larger than it is. But notice the actual core of the bait. It's thin and therefore allows more flexibility in the body. Texture refects light differently, the same way a hammered-blade does versus a smooth blade. Tiny details (ie. molded eyes) are probably not seen in most water colors, but texture that is obvious may sometimes get their attention better, especially if the've never 'felt' it before. Flappers and bent elbows are the lastest design for creature baits. Do they add to the lure's effectiveness? I think that size is not always length, and that it does matter in shallow water. Extra appendages add extra action the same as adding a skirt to a jighead or an Ika and may give the illusion of more mass or meat. I have to agree that many designs are designer-lure creations and may fly off the shelves the first year. But the basic designs have stood the test of time and though not fancy, do the job. If what you pour does the job,, that's all that matters. The rest is just self-illusionment and a sales pitch. Just my thoughts after having poured my own featureless sticks and sticking a bunch of fish last year on them. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
