thogan6 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 I am looking for someone to recommend someplace to get ballast weights. I make shallow running balsa cranks and I seen some baits where the ballast weight sticks out of the bait (Thunder Shad Crankbaits) I would really like to get a mold made or something I have some weights now that a mold can be made of but I don't have anyone who can do it. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltarat Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 I think the easiest way to do it would be to drill your holes, then pour your own lead inside and seal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 Check the member submitted tutorials. this thing works awesome , its easy to make and pours perfect belly weights. http://www.tackleunderground.com/community/index.php?/topic/23195-making-your-own-aluminum-mold-for-pouring-belly-weights/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 I don't recommend drilling and pouring hot lead into a balsa body. The balsa is soft and the hot lead chars the wood around the hole, making for a very weak bond. You should never slap a balsa bait on the water to clear weeds off the trebles because it can break off the head of the lure. With this method of installing the ballast, it can also shoot the ballast out the belly of the lure. Don't ask me how I know I recommend gluing them in - I use epoxy. You can buy ready-to-use belly weights here: http://lurepartsonline.com/Shop-By-Category/Muskie-Bait-Parts/Plug-Belly-Weight-Inserts.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedyarb Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 I had an old do it mold for small jig heads. I closed the mold and drilled out 1/4" holes to pour my belly weights into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarverGLX Posted December 9, 2013 Report Share Posted December 9, 2013 (edited) Tutorial is great as has been said. Can also make a bondo mold. (Haven't tried) If really against pouring and cannot find any complete with a hook hanger maybe you could buy rods and cut to the length you need and place the hook hanger in separate... http://www.nuclead.com/leadrounds.html Otherwise... Lead shot, mojo weights, "woo's Carolina rig weights..." Lots of ways to skin a cat. Edited December 9, 2013 by CarverGLX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassguy Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 I use 1/4 ounce egg sinkers which give me the perfect amount of ballast for my baits. They have a hole which I place a twisted ss wire for the hook hanger. These work well for my baits. Some epoxy in the hole and in goes the weight and hook hanger. The hole in the bait gets topped off with epoxy stick so I can continue with the bait build. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretcher66 Posted December 10, 2013 Report Share Posted December 10, 2013 another option is buying "hollow coiled pencil lead" used buy salmon and steelhead fisherman for drift fishing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
