Wire-thru Stickbait project for Tuna, GTs, Dogtooth etc.

[CaptainSeabass]

Hi Guys,

 

I recently finished of my first stickbait project. It was aimed at making a wire-through stickbait for GT,  Tuna etc. It turned out well and I did make a video, but I am looking for some information about creating a mold for this particular lure so that I can replicate it with with some two component plastic mix or something along those lines.  Please let me know your thoughts. Any information about mold making is welcome since I have ZERO experience with it. I'm also looking for an affordable two component plastic mix that floats when dry. Here's a video of the Stickbait so you can get an idea of the size in case that is a determining factor. Thanks!

 

[Anglinarcher]

Quote

 

I suggest Alumifoam.  It is hard enough to stand up to Wolf Fish, Tiger Fish, Golden Dorado, so I believe it will stand up to about anything, including a hammer, which is what I tried.  It is also the density of Cedar so it floats well.

As for the methods, my best suggestion is to go here:

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx

Specifically here:

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx#prettyPhoto/5/

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx#prettyPhoto/39/

Maybe even starting here:

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx#prettyPhoto/127/

Once you get started, it is really quite easy.  I would use the Vac Master 50 for my production mold because it withstands the expansion best when using the Foam.

You can use Alumilite White with microballons, but it is harder to get it to float, especially with large hooks, etc.  I will include a graph for you to use for comparison.  Note that the percentage of microballons is by volume, not weight.

 

[CaptainSeabass]

Thanks

56 minutes ago, Anglinarcher said:

 

I suggest Alumifoam.  It is hard enough to stand up to Wolf Fish, Tiger Fish, Golden Dorado, so I believe it will stand up to about anything, including a hammer, which is what I tried.  It is also the density of Cedar so it floats well.

As for the methods, my best suggestion is to go here:

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx

Specifically here:

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx#prettyPhoto/5/

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx#prettyPhoto/39/

Maybe even starting here:

http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/54-How-To-Videos.aspx#prettyPhoto/127/

Once you get started, it is really quite easy.  I would use the Vac Master 50 for my production mold because it withstands the expansion best when using the Foam.

You can use Alumilite White with microballons, but it is harder to get it to float, especially with large hooks, etc.  I will include a graph for you to use for comparison.  Note that the percentage of microballons is by volume, not weight.

 

Thanks! That helps a lot. I will be looking around a bit more. I hope a simple silicone mold is easy to make...

[Anglinarcher]

Simple silicone molds are very easy to make.  You can even get a pound of Alumilite Quickset or HS3 at most Hobby Lobby stores.

If you are going to use these, use the Quickset for the Alumifoam.  It is stiffer and stops the overexpansion of the foam better.

[CaptainSeabass]

1 hour ago, Anglinarcher said:

Simple silicone molds are very easy to make.  You can even get a pound of Alumilite Quickset or HS3 at most Hobby Lobby stores.

If you are going to use these, use the Quickset for the Alumifoam.  It is stiffer and stops the overexpansion of the foam better.

Fantastic, thanks a lot for the help!

[woodieb8]

26lb foam, smooth on. denser then standard 16lb. mold away ,wire it thru. it will float lower in water as its denser then others.

 

[Anglinarcher]

10 hours ago, woodieb8 said:

26lb foam, smooth on. denser then standard 16lb. mold away ,wire it thru. it will float lower in water as its denser then others.

 

It will sure float lower for sure then Alumifoam, it is 20 pound foam, but not much. 

I have not used the Smooth-on 26 pound so I don't know how tough it is.  Quite frankly, a through wire on the Alumifoam is not necessary, it is that tough.

Alumilite sells 3 lb flexible that expands up to 5x, 3 pound super foam that expands up to 20 times, a 6 pound that expands up to 10 times and has the density of balsa, Alumifoam that is a 20 pound that expands up to 5x, and finally Ultra lite 400 that I am not familiar with.

Just remember, I can help on the Alumifoam, but if you use the Smooth-on, then perhaps woodieb8 would be a better source.  See if Smooth-on has videos to teach you how as well.