Getting Plastic To Float

[Mountainclimber]

I was wondering if the "Micro Balloons" at Makelure.com are the same as the "Super Floating Bubbles" at Lurecraft.com?

 

It's been awhile since I've been on the forum, but the info I recieved for my last project really helped out a ton! Getting the itch to improve on my swimbait design.

 

Thanks again!

[gone2long]

Although it does not say so I believe it is the same but please read all safety literature and be very careful using them, most are actually glass spheres and atomize and float in the air if you breath these in your lungs will be damaged severely, I'm not trying to scare you just emphasizing the safety concerns to be applied. They do work well when used properly the cooler the plastic the better they seem to burst if the plastic is too hot. Keep us posted on how you make out and good luck.

[Mountainclimber]

Thanks for the info! I'm just trying to make a weighted plastic swimbait (Storm style, with an imbedded lead jighead) that will will set perfectly horizontal at rest while suspended in the water column. The ones I've made in the past sit slightly tail-down. I can try to modify the weight forward a little more, but is there any other way to get the tail to "float" up / level with the head?

 

Thanks again!

[Mountainclimber]

After reading the discription on the plastic I have it says it floats. Maybe some adjustment to the weight will be enough to bring it level. I know it sounds like a pety thing, but having a level bait will help me catch more of these big fish using the presentation I have in mind. Thanks again.

[mark poulson]

I've found that the softer the plastic is, the more buoyant it is.  I am always torn between a soft bait with a lot of action and a stronger bait that will hold up better.

Adding salt to plastic will definitely make it sink.  But salt will make fish hold onto a soft plastic longer, so, in this case, it's a trade off between buoyancy and fish holding time.  

I've mostly given up on trying to make my plastic baits truly floaters.  I've settled for baits that will stand straight on a drop shot rig, or fall slowly on a split shot or C rig.

I've switched to nylon mono for my C rig leaders, to try and give the bait additional lift, and to keep them from getting caught in rock cracks on a slow retrieve, like fluoro does..

[SlowFISH]

Thanks for the info! I'm just trying to make a weighted plastic swimbait (Storm style, with an imbedded lead jighead) that will will set perfectly horizontal at rest while suspended in the water column. The ones I've made in the past sit slightly tail-down. I can try to modify the weight forward a little more, but is there any other way to get the tail to "float" up / level with the head?

 

Thanks again!

 

I think you will have a tough time asking the plastic to balance out lead depending on the size of the bait.  I personally do not use microballons - so can't offer an opinion if they would help enough, but all the stuff I pour I want to "float/stand up" off the bottom so I've played a bit with this type stuff.

 

I would suggest maybe looking at a method to get an air-pocket in the bait somehow.  Kinda like a hollow body frog or some of the Netbait Pecas that trap air in them.  I've also purchased some baits that have small cavities in the bottom running vertical - which trap air and help it "float". (Imagine if you drilled a 1/8" pocket/hole into bottom of the bait and stopping short of coming out the top) Even with these details they can't float a 5/0 heavy weight hook on a long worm.

 

         J.

 

 

My guess is it would be easier to add a little weight forward of the hook eye than to get enough bouyance from the bait unless it's a light head and a big bait.

[Mountainclimber]

Yeah, I was brainstorming how I might get a pocket of air molded into the rear. Maybe something like those rattle beads, without the rattles?... May just experiment with getting more lead forward of the eye. Thanks again for the replies!

Edited October 10, 2013 by Mountainclimber

[Tree_Fish]

What kind of mold are you using?

[mark poulson]

If your plastic is buoyant enough to float your lure with a hook in it, you might experiment with making the lure taper, from wider at the back to narrower at the belly, so there is more buoyant material up higher.

It works for me with both swimbaits and cranks, so I can burn them on a really fast retrieve without any rolling over.

[Mountainclimber]

What kind of mold are you using?

 

Thanks for the advise mark.

 

Right now I'm using a plaster mold, but I just discovered the Alumilite products, so the new mold will either be a flexible silicone or hard resine. I'd be up for suggestions on which you guys think might work best. I might be making baits 7-10 inches in length, and want to suspend lead and hook inside somehow.

 

Thanks again!

[MonteSS]

I used the Alumilite microballopms with very limited success.

 

First you need to add a ton of it to the plastic to just float a hook.

 

It is white so your colors get ugly and opaque.

 

You need to add alot of softener to counter the MB added stifness.

 

Baits are very weak.

 

I have heard that cooking the MB too hot can burst the glass spheres.

 

GL....Bill