Bassinfool Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 (edited) Alright everyone, I am need of some serious help here. After scouring this website using the search function, trying all of the recipes for watermelon sticks I could find I still can't seem to nail the color I am wanting. My baits are coming out simply too dark. Below is a picture of the watermelon I have been able to come up with. The recipe I am using is: 1/2 cup plastic 3/4 T softener 2 1/8 powdered salt 2 drops lime green 4 drops black 3 drops green pumpkin 4 drops watermelon It's just too dark compared to GY's version that I am trying to emulate that I have attached. If anyone is willing to share a recipe that is even close to the picture I have attached I will be eternally grateful! Thanks everyone. Edited August 13, 2013 by Bassinfool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted August 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 I don't know what happened to make the text messed up around the picture, try and ignore it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted August 13, 2013 Report Share Posted August 13, 2013 Maybe a silly question but what do they look like without the black? sounds like allot of black for such a small batch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I don't mean to be a smart a** but why not just buy watermellon coloring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 His formula already has watermelon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I doubt there's any black in GY's version.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 As said try no black or less black. ...Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ipt Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 i do about 5 drops gp, 5 drops watermelon, 5 drops chartreuse to about 4oz plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolinamike Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Looks the same as LW watermelon 101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Well to really know what you are mixing you NEED to say who's makes your colorant. But one tip is if you start with Mf coloring at least you will be getting it for the same source as gy. Mf colors are thin and require more drops but that may be the key. Strong colorant and small batches just don't mix. I know some of my colors rely on weak colorant. And if you need that color dead on then at least is is a place to start. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 With that batch it was nothing but lurecraft coloring and those of you who have used it know just how incredibly green their watermelon is. I just got some watermelon 101 in from lureworks yesterday so I will experiment with that and see if I can get something closer to what I am looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Ya, LC watermelon is a terrible color. I add pumpkin to it. ...Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lonestarbaitcompany Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Plastic : 1 cup7 Drops school bus yellow.4 Drops black. 1 Drop Watermelon (optional)1/4 cup small black glitter.1/4 cup large black glitter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted August 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 The lurecraft watermelon is awful when using it with sticks, I've been able to make some great watermelon baits that have very little or no salt in them using it though. Of course I only use one or two drops at most when I do use it because it is so overly green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) If you add some black flake it will darken the green. Adding red flake will make it brownish. Edited August 15, 2013 by mark poulson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 I was just thinking about this color and how green LC's watemelon is. I have not tried MF's watermelon. I made some green pumpking red flake/watermelon laminates (I forget want number its called). Some of the guys in my bass club said the watermelon was too green. GRRR, I know I know. I now have a sample bait on the bench to compare with. I have not mastered a good watermelon color yet, (actually have not tried real hard). Tried black, but I think maybe pumpkin (ihave heard). I dont know. For sticks, I use 4 tblsp of popcorn salt to 2 cups of soft LW plastics and 3 caps of LC softner. Good action and pretty durable. Is MF's watermelon the BEST choice out there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitjunkys Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 A small drop of red will brown it like zoom watermelon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted August 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 I posted a recipe in the cook book that doesn't include much, if any, salt for a watermelon that looks almost identical to Zoom watermelon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) I hope this works. Thats the watermelon I was talking about in my earlier post. Edited August 15, 2013 by Basscandy92040 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 I was just thinking about this color and how green LC's watemelon is. I have not tried MF's watermelon. I made some green pumpking red flake/watermelon laminates (I forget want number its called). Some of the guys in my bass club said the watermelon was too green. GRRR, I know I know. I now have a sample bait on the bench to compare with. I have not mastered a good watermelon color yet, (actually have not tried real hard). Tried black, but I think maybe pumpkin (ihave heard). I dont know. For sticks, I use 4 tblsp of popcorn salt to 2 cups of soft LW plastics and 3 caps of LC softner. Good action and pretty durable. Is MF's watermelon the BEST choice out there? You are only using half the salt that you should be. Correct Senko recipe is 4 heaping tablespoon per 1 cup plastic. OP is using powdered salt which is white and totaly different to popcorn salt. ....Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 You are only using half the salt that you should be. Correct Senko recipe is 4 heaping tablespoon per 1 cup plastic. OP is using powdered salt which is white and totaly different to popcorn salt. ....Bill Yeah, I have read that before. I have yet to try that ratio. So does that amount give the similar rate fall to that a GY senko? I use a heavy qauge wide gap hook to help the fall for my baits. I was wanting make something that would last longer than a one fish per senko. More salt = more softner from what I understand....Thanks Bill! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Yeah, I have read that before. I have yet to try that ratio. So does that amount give the similar rate fall to that a GY senko? I use a heavy qauge wide gap hook to help the fall for my baits. I was wanting make something that would last longer than a one fish per senko. More salt = more softner from what I understand....Thanks Bill! Then use the do-it HD additive. I regularly catch 20-50 fish per bait. Same sink and softer than a Senko. ...Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Then use the do-it HD additive. I regularly catch 20-50 fish per bait. Same sink and softer than a Senko. ...Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basscandy92040 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I'll have to check that out! Does it harden the bait at all? 20-40 per bait is amazing. Let alone 20-50 fish in a trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Well, after some more experimenting over the past few days I have come up with these. Still not the exact color I am wanting but it is way closer to what I am wanting than what I was making before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...