Nascar#48 Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 Can anyone give me an idea on how much salt to put in 5" fluke type baits, I'm new to making baits and have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to salt. I'm using lc #502 plastic. Anything will help, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 70/30 or 72/25 would be a starting place then adjust to suit your self. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted February 23, 2014 Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 First question is why do you want/need salt in your flukes? There are two basic reasons. 1. Some people use salt for taste. They believe that the bait taste more like a real fish with the sale added. This would be considered light salt and you could add about 1 tablespoon per 8 oz plastic. 2. Salt is used as weight ballst. A good example of this is in Senkos. The heavy salt makes the bait sink slowly without a weight added. 4 tablespoons per 8 oz is a typical formula for this. Salt also makes a bait stiffer so you need to add some softener to counteract this. About 1 tablespoon for the heavy salt formula. Pickling salt from Walmart works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nascar#48 Posted February 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2014 What made me want to try salt was me and a buddy fishing and both throwing flukes, he had a zoom fluke and I had ones I had made without salt. I got to watching his fluke in the water and it seemed to be more aggressive cutting side to side as it was going through the water than mine did. So I got curious and ripped one of his open and noticed the salt. I also noticed he was putting a nail with the head cut off in the head of the fluke. So my thought is that putting a buckshot weight on the line forward of the fluke is causing the weight to be too far ahead of the bait to make it juke back and forth like i want it to, I don't know it's just somthing I figured id try. Thanks for the responses I'll give it a shot and see what the outcome is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dutchman Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 This is my take on salt etc. There are many myths concerning salt, scent etc in baits. Most of these myths were started by the big manufacturers who want you to buy their baits. Salt will add weight to a bait but I doubt a fish will recognize the salt in the bait. Most of the scents used in baits are oil based and worthless. The manufacturers say it will "hide your human scent" or tobacco,or whatever. I doubt it.. Bass, according to Dr. James, can't taste oil based scents. So, if you want to add salt or scent do so - I doubt it will made any difference to the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dutchman Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 That's Dr. Jones not James.,. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass100 Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 Jig man gave you good info. Flukes with a little bit of weight have far more action when used as a traditional fluke. Flukes with no weight added have a tendency to jump out of the water and not have a good side to side action. I choose to use sinking plastic versus salt but either way a little weight is needed for that side to side action and to keep the bait under the water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 I don't know what fish taste, but the first time I bit off a worm with salt in it, I sure tasted it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 We use a lot of flukes and fluke "type" baits here, and personally I like them with salt added. Not so much for taste (although that just might help), but more for the sinking action. I like to use them with a 3/0 EWG hook and no weight. As mentioned, not much action in a saltless fluke. Funny though when I poured, most of my customers liked them without salt. I guess, once again, we go back to whatever makes the fisherman feel confident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Baze Posted February 25, 2014 Report Share Posted February 25, 2014 How well does the HD sinking additive work compared to salt ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 Salt makes medium plastic stiffer and less durable . HD makes them softer and more durable. Only negative of the HD is it makes the baits opaque white. So no clear baits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted February 26, 2014 Report Share Posted February 26, 2014 This is my take on salt etc. There are many myths concerning salt, scent etc in baits. Most of these myths were started by the big manufacturers who want you to buy their baits. Salt will add weight to a bait but I doubt a fish will recognize the salt in the bait. Most of the scents used in baits are oil based and worthless. The manufacturers say it will "hide your human scent" or tobacco,or whatever. I doubt it.. Bass, according to Dr. James, can't taste oil based scents. So, if you want to add salt or scent do so - I doubt it will made any difference to the bass. They also add salt as a filler. Salt makes baits weaker so you come back and buy more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass100 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I use M-F sinking plastic. It is clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Do you pour Ika bodies, and, if so, how do they compare in weight to the GYCB Ikas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass100 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 I don't pour Ika's so I can't tell you. I rarely make senkos but when I do I use M-F super soft sinking plastic and add 1/2 cup of salt per 2 cups of plastic. I don't use any softner with the super soft plastic but if you do make sure you use the softner sold for the sinking plastic or you wil turn your sinking plastic into neutral bouyant plastic. My 5.25" sticks weigh 180.8 grains and GY weighs 169.9 grains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted February 27, 2014 Report Share Posted February 27, 2014 Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
