Cormorant Lures Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 I've been doing test batches using 2 oz. of plastic, 1 tbs. (1/2 oz.) of floured salt, and 1 tbs. (1/2.) of softener. My step dad fishes almost every weekend. He decided to take some of my baits out today and try them on the lake for the 1st time. He said all my baits got chewed on. He said overall my baits worked pretty darn good. His only complaint was that the baits with more salt in them caught more fish but were less durable, and the baits with less salt in them were more durable but caught less fish. He thinks I should concentrate on making sure my baits are heavily salted. Now I have no idea where he thinks that each one of my baits I gave him have more or less salt in them or if he was simply comparing them to a store bought bait. All I know is that I did not change the formula for each test stick I gave him. Am I not using enough salt? I did cut the mixture down from the original formula because I figured floured salt is more dense and suspends better. I stir the hell out of it but I do tend to get a few small clumps of floured salt on the bottom of my measuring cup. I am using Morten's Pickling Salt and flouring it in a blender. I don't know if I should go back to trying the pickling salt right outta the box or stick with the floured stuff. All I know is my wife is getting upset each time we change our salt formula because then its back to the drawing board when it comes to color mixing. She has had to change color formulas twice already. Is there an easy way to convert color formulas when using more salt or less salt? Thanks in advance for all your help!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 thats the nature of the beast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parker085 Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 When I first started pour sticks i was having the same issues with not knowing if i was putting enough salt and softener in, so i know where you are coming from. After lots of testing i went back to what everyone says in the standard stick formula, (1, 1/2, 1/4). I found using 1/2 cup of LC 502, 1/4 cup of salt (blended but not all the way to floured form), and 1/8 softener (cut softener in half if using Super Soft plastic) is what looked best in the tank as well as what the fish really liked. So personally i think you need to double your salt and leave everything else the same. So it would b 2 oz plastic, 1 oz salt, and 1/2 oz soft (if you are using SS plastic cut to 1/4 oz) That will do two things, help harden your baits up and make them fall better. These stick are not supper durable but they work really well. If you are lucky enough to catch the fish without loosing the stick then just hold on to the ripped ones and remelt them. Some days i can get a few fish per bait and others they get ripped without even getting a fish. When I remelt I normally will melt half pre-used baits with half a fresh batch and the come out great. When it comes to color i'm also in the same boat with you on how to compensate for adding salt and it's a game for sure. What i have done as of late when adding or removing salt from something i'm playing with is just make them black. It's hard to mess up black and black is a color that will catch you fish just about anywhere you go. Personally i don't think it works as well as green pumpkin but it catches fish and helps you get the bait the way you want if without wasting a lot of time playing with color mix. Hope this helps Thanks Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Prager Posted June 24, 2011 Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 thats the nature of the beast Yep, that's it! You're always going to have left over salt, plastic and never enough molds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cormorant Lures Posted June 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2011 Ok, so here is another question all together: What is the finest "non-floured" salt you can find that is readily available without paying extreme shipping costs?!? As I have said before, I am using Morten's Pickling Salt from the green box... I have floured some of it and left some of it as granules... Is this the finest salt available for this application or are there other "local" options I am not aware of?!? I have seen the fine salt from Bear's and Ozark, but shipping costs put a dent in my budget... Can you get fine salt from a local feed mill or grocery store?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dutchman Posted June 25, 2011 Report Share Posted June 25, 2011 I get my salt from www.barryfarms.com. I get their popcorn salt which is very fine. It does not cake like floured salt will. also, it suspends very well. If you want fine salt you will probably have to bite the bullet and pay the shipping cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull Baits Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 I make my own with a coffee grinder and pickling salt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
