Senko formula

[SpoonMinnow]

I've tried using a lot of softener and fine salt and the stick still isn't near the same.  Any suggestions?

[DaveMc1]

Because GY doesn't use fine salt. If you must match their then a coarser "popcorn" / pickling salt would likely work better. 

[SpoonMinnow]

I can see the logic of using coarse salt --- weight -- a key action component of the horizontal fall.

Will try it in my super soft plastic stick.

 

Thanks Dave,

Frank

 

[DaveMc1]

3 hours ago, SpoonMinnow said:

I can see the logic of using coarse salt --- weight -- a key action component of the horizontal fall.

Will try it in my super soft plastic stick.

 

Thanks Dave,

Frank

 

 

Negative, finer salt is more dense than a coarser grind. It does however help with clarity a little and makes the final bait less durable. 

 

I use a VERY fine salt in mine, the result is a great fall rate, great wiggle when it falls and is far more durable than a GY Senko. But then again, copying a Senko wasn't my goal. 

[SpoonMinnow]

I used a heck of a lot of fine salt and the stick still falls at a very slow rate with no wiggle.  Fine salt also make my lure colors pale.

[Baitjunkys]

Got to use the right fine salt.

[SpoonMinnow]

6 hours ago, Baitjunkys said:

Got to use the right fine salt.

 

???

[SpoonMinnow]

Just happened to rig a 1/64  jig with #6 hook on a 2 1/4" soft stick and decided to use it to check the casting distance of a reel I changed line on. The  stick wobbled all the way to the bottom! 

A 4" stick may benefit using  a 1/16 oz jighead and show the same action. Fall rate of a certain speed is essential.

Edited November 27, 2017 by SpoonMinnow

[DaBehr]

I use Floating plastic on all my wacky baits. The end of those baits really shake and you can really feel them buzz when you give them a pull.

I can adjust the fall rate by the weight of my Do-it wacky jigs

[MonteSS]

On 11/26/2017 at 7:02 PM, SpoonMinnow said:

I used a heck of a lot of fine salt and the stick still falls at a very slow rate with no wiggle.  Fine salt also make my lure colors pale.

 

What s "a heck of a lot"???

Formula similar to a Senko is

Two rounded tablespoon salt

One tablespoon softener

4 oz (half cup)medium or soft plastisol

Add salt and softener to cold uncooked plastic and stir well.

I used pickling salt from Walmart

Edited November 28, 2017 by MonteSS

[SpoonMinnow]

Will definitely try that mix!  Thanks

(but why (fine) pickling salt vs Diamond super fine salt? Is it that pickling salt contains anti-caking ingredients, which can turn pickling liquid cloudy, or additives like iodine.

Plastic is not water and salt should stay intact, not dissolving.

Edited November 28, 2017 by SpoonMinnow

[uttexas]

Have you experimented with adding silica?

[mark poulson]

I use a 2 parts plastisol, 3/4 parts silica, 1/4 part salt, by volume.  To a cup of soft BJ plastic I add a tablespoon of softener. 

My senko knockoffs are slighty heavier than the originals, but just as flexible and more durable, because of the silica.

[MonteSS]

Diamond table salt has Iodine which I believe is bad for fish.

Pickling or popcorn salt seems to be a decent grain size that will not cloud baits too much.

Edited November 28, 2017 by MonteSS

[ipt]

i use diamond table salt (non-iodine) it will suspend better when you inject your molds. thicker stuff is heavier and will of course sink easier.

 

baits will be cloudy but oh well, i choose action > color

[mark poulson]

From what I've read online, salt with iodine isn't harmful for fish in baits.

If you guys know better, please share.

[Baitjunkys]

Iodine is a natural mineral, I have never read it being harmfull to fish, except here at tu.

[SpoonMinnow]

It's not like they digest the sticks! Contact with the lure's surface is at most  less than a minute , with most of my sticks a foot up the line after the  hook set / fight !

I've never heard of silica being added. Does it weigh as much as salt or make the texture of the plastic seem like the original? Who sells it?

Edited November 29, 2017 by SpoonMinnow

[mark poulson]

It weighs just a tad more than the salt I use (Kosher or fine grind) and it seems to make the baits more durable.

Here's where I got mine:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-LBS-Glass-Bead-Medium-Grit-MIL-SPEC-8-70-100-grit-Sand-Blasting-Abrasive-/111672165459?hash=item1a002e0453:g:VocAAOxydgZTKU6c

[SpoonMinnow]

Thanks Mark.  Seems like that's the stuff Gary Y uses.  I've licked a few Senkos and don't taste salt.

[mark poulson]

8 hours ago, SpoonMinnow said:

Thanks Mark.  Seems like that's the stuff Gary Y uses.  I've licked a few Senkos and don't taste salt.

That salt is strong!  I spit a lot if I lick one of my senkos to check if it has salt.  I sometimes have to check, because I make some senkos with no salt or blast media to use on 1/4 oz jig with no skirt, so the bait is more buoyant.  Kind of a turd rig with a 5" senko.

[Baitjunkys]

I think there packaged in salt as well. do they still taste salty after they been in the water?

Im not sure i ever tried it.

[mark poulson]

16 minutes ago, Baitjunkys said:

I think there packaged in salt as well. do they still taste salty after they been in the water?

Im not sure i ever tried it.

Dude, you don't know what you're missing!  Hahaha  Just don't ever taste a Chompers bait.  I haven't, but it smells so strong I can only imagine how nasty it would taste.  Of course, the fish don't seem to mind, but what do they know?

[Baitjunkys]

I meant after they been wet, I have never tried it.  I have experienced the out of package taste before.

[SpoonMinnow]

Mark, I ordered the silica beads today from EBay.  Hope they function as expected.

If so, it would be fantastic for other lure designs besides the stick.