Tube Tweaking

[mjs]

I dipped a few tubes using MF saltwater, trying to get something like a strike king bitsy tube, but found them a little on the soft side. The tube works fine, but tears up a bit too easily. Instead of a bitsy tube stiffness I got more of a powerbait tube. First thought of getting a bit of hardener, but then thought I probably didn't mix the plastic well enough? 

[alsworms]

MF saltwater is about as tough as it gets, and you rarely have to mix it much.  This may be an exception, though.  I'd start by checking the bottom of your jug/barrel and see if there is any hard packing on the bottom.  If so, mix like crazy and get back after it.  If not, maybe a touch of hardener.......or perhaps someone who uses the saltwater formula regularly can chime in here.  I know the few times I used it my baits were hard as rocks.  LOL

[School Master]

For sure mix, mix, then mix it again. Throw some nuts or ball bearings in if you have a gallon. Use a cordless drill and a paint mixer if you have 5 gallons.

 

Once you get it mixed, you need to add salt as well. Salt is crucial in tubes. Only lure I will say this for.

[Les Young]

Why is salt crucial in tubes? Will they not work well without it if fished Texas rigged with a weight? I always use 3/8 & Texas rig them to fish here. Thanks & sorry for the hijacking of this post?

[mjs]

Thanks for the answers. If it is normally that stiff I need to mix it better next time. I'm also curious about the salt. I think I read here it stiffens the plastic? Or is there another reason to add it when making tubes?

 

 

[School Master]

Yes it stiffens the plastic.

 

I assume you are throwing it with a tube head shoved inside it if you are trying to duplicate a bitsy tube. Salt adds weight to the tube so you can cast it farther, it stiffens the plastic so your tails cut much much better and it also gives them a much better spiral action on the fall.

 

That's why I said salt is a must. There is a reason why EVERY popular tube has salt in it.

[Les Young]

Good info as usual.

[mjs]

Well, tried again. The plastisol wasn't hard packed, but it must have settled some because a solid mixing gave a firmer plastic.

 

Just making a few tubes for myself so I couldn't justify buying a mold. Thought dipping would be easy, and it's not that hard, but I sure didn't like my first attempts. I've been using metal rods with wooden dowel handles( makes a T) that I can hang up. After heating the plastic(about 4 ounces) in a microwave I then transfer it into a cut open coke can I place on a small burner. After a bit most of the bubbles go away and I start vertical dipping. Move to more horizontal dipping by tipping the can as the plastic level drops. Use up the last bit of plastic making panfish tubes.  Makes a little bag of tubes. Have trouble getting perfect noses, got better after I beveled the  end of the rod a bit, but still fix the worst ones with scissors and a candle. Open to suggestions to improve my process.

 

Have to try a batch with salt next. Don't have salt flour. Will try to grind some at home for my small needs. We'll see how that goes. What do people think is a good amount of salt?

Edited October 20, 2016 by mjs

[DaveMc1]

Have to try a batch with salt next. Don't have salt flour. Will try to grind some at home for my small needs. We'll see how that goes. What do people think is a good amount of salt?

 

DONT grind it. Use the finest salt you can find. If you grind it it will wash your colours out bad and clump on you. 

[mjs]

Thanks. Good to know.