rooster123 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I am going to be making 4-6in swimbaits and was wondering if calhoun medium would be the best plastisol to use? I will be using a microwave to heat the plastisol up and hand pouring. Thanks in advace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garthsnooks Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I have used it...it's an ok product. Smokes quite a bit, but satisfied, for the price, Some say Calhoun med. is soft for a med blend. Some of the other guys on here use LC and some other brands,...maybe they've used both and can give you greater insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I use Calhouns medium for 5" swimbaits and the combo of softness and durability works out well. ...Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster123 Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I am looking at getting a consistancy of something like a Top Shelf swimbait. Would the medium be the ticket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garthsnooks Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Calhoun (or LC) will do the job...I love Caney Creek's plastisol, no smoke, reheats great, but I believe it's $175 for 5 gallon... If you are pouring just for yourself, might try CC's if price isn't factor...if you are seriously manufacturing, I'd buy Calhoun or LC in a 55 gal.drum...or if not pouring a lot, maybe buy 5 gallon of Calhoun from Bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster123 Posted November 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Thanks for all the responses. I went ahead and got some of CC. I will let you know how it works out for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted November 25, 2012 Report Share Posted November 25, 2012 Rooster, when you say top shelf swim baits, if you're referring to a machine made product that is done by one of the larger injection companies, then there's no such thing as a top shelf plastic. Most of these guys call around and find which plastisol is cheaper per pound. When you're using heat exchangers, it really doesn't matter. When it comes to plastisol and doing hand pours, just because the plastisol is more expensive certainly does not make it a better product. Plastisol is a personal preference only when doing hand pours or hand injection. What is not a good plastisol to one person is the best plastisol in the world to another. Some companies are more than glad to send you a small free sample. The bottom line when it comes to plastisol is to get samples from everyone (Lureworks, Bear's Baits, Lurecraft, MF, Caney Creek) and find out what is best for you. And then let us know which one you like the best and why. This is the way to share great honest information on TU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dink Master Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 http://topshelftackle.com/product/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garthsnooks Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Mike is correct, samples would be the best, if you can get them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted November 26, 2012 Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Sorry about that Dink Master. With so many swim baits out on the market, they're hard to keep up with. So do you know who's plastisol they use to help Rooster out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooster123 Posted November 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thanks for the info. I wasnt trying to find out what exact plastisol they use for the top shelf swimbait. I was merely giving an example of the firmness i was looking for. I just asked for some samples from some of the companies people have mentioned and bought a gallon of CC to try out. New to the game and appreciate all the help from you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dink Master Posted November 27, 2012 Report Share Posted November 27, 2012 Sorry I do not know what plastisol they use. Watch "a California Reservoir Lures heads up!" video on this page http://paulbaileyfishing.com/ 4th down? Match the tail bend of your swimbait with the bend of a TopShelf swimbait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
