Senkosam Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 Has anyone been able to duplicate the mix of components of the Senko? Is it necessary to keep the bait super soft for the same successful action as the original? The handpours I produce are definitely somewhat stiffer than Senkos, but hold up far longer on the hook and still catch fish. I haven't figured out the proper mix of sand and salt to exactly duplicate the Senko, but as soon as the wife has to work and I don't, I'm going to experiment with the microwave. One question - if I don't mix 3G or lurecraft plastic, will the product be softer? Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 4, 2003 Report Share Posted July 4, 2003 Hey Sam, I've been messin' around with that a bunch myself lately. I could never claim to have a senko replica as nice as Yamamoto's, but I'm happy with the action on mine. I use Calhoun's "hand pour" plastic, which is about equal to Lure Craft's 536 formula. I add 1/2 cup of softener and 3 ounces of heat stabilizer per gallon of plastic. As for salt content, I like to mix 1/4 teaspoon of popcorn salt per ounce of plastic, mixing like crazy to keep it suspended. I'm sure you know that extra salt makes the bait much tougher and much more difficult to bring the plastic to a "runny" state. The stabilizer and softener make up for that. I set aside a separate 5-gallon jug of plastic just for senkos. There's no need for stabilizer if you're not pouring with salt in the mixture. Some guys will say the softener is not needed also. I don't know how Yamamoto does it, but as you know......you can actually see and feel tons of salt in their senkos (I was told their mixture is 60% salt!!). I can't see the salt in mine like Yamamoto's, but when I test them in the water, the action is the same. Mine might be just a hair softer, but they are more durable. In fact, I usually catch more fish on mine because of added scents. This is by no means a push for my product. I just believe that anyone who pours plastics should pour their own senko replicas. With a little effort, you can make a really nice bait at a fraction of the price. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted July 5, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2003 Thanks Chris, gotta try it. Lurecraft's Dave, told me sand is also included in the mix. I bought some black and white sand from AC Moore Crafts and include sand and pulverized salt in my worms a month ago. I added too much hardener but the worms caught fish in spring anyway. Boy do I love to handpour for far cheaper than Senkos. Post some pics. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrav Posted July 6, 2003 Report Share Posted July 6, 2003 Has anyone ever tried sea salt in their plastics? Y'know, the kind you buy from aquarium stores for salt water fish tanks. Years ago, I tried to raise a crop of fairy shrimp to feed some fish I had and bought a bag of this salt to mix in for them in a small tank. The one thing I noticed was the sheer amount of this stuff per gallon of water...it was alot. Thought it would just settle and never really mix in the cold water. Not so. In fact, I was amazed at the dissolvabilty of it. Granted, it's more than just salt in the mix...alot of trace elements, minerals, etc. Anyone know how heavy this stuff functions in water compared to the typical baking/popcorn salt? I almost wonder at times about Yamamoto's mix when I think of sea salt...? Probably not, but some of the "discoloration" stories I've seen on some highly salted baits puts ones mind to minerals/metals in the salt. Doubtful one could make a clear bait with this stuff. As I recall, this stuff was quite expensive back when I purchased it and I couldn't find a small box to buy. They might be availible for someone to experiment, I will if I can come across a one pound box of it. Sure would be nice to stir less often and not have to deal with the "salt bed" on the remelt portions. jrav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 6, 2003 Report Share Posted July 6, 2003 There's a seller on ebay who advertises his baits as "rolled in sea salts". I've always wondered about that. Definitely something to look into. Interesting stuff.............................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireball Lures Posted July 6, 2003 Report Share Posted July 6, 2003 I did an experiment with sea salts and it didn't turn out too well. I use to have a salt water aquarium setup and tried to use the salts used in it and it really made a mess. It made the plastic boil out of the pot and run over in the floor for about 2 minutes straight. So my advice is not to put that in the pots : ) unless of course you just want to make a mess and or watch a volocano. These salts are alot finer than any other salts but must have something in it that the plastic just doesn't like It wasn't like adding water to the plastic but it sure as heck started bubbling. Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 6, 2003 Report Share Posted July 6, 2003 Glad I read that before I tried it.... Thanks Nathan! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 6, 2003 Report Share Posted July 6, 2003 Hey Chris, the scents from pro-cure also have sea salts in the mix, If you read the report they put out your adding some when you add the scent. I honestly havent done popcorn salt, Im still using the blender to turn the salt to powder. Yes if you squeese it salt does come out. Showd my brother in law and he couldnt believe it. It is a bit harder to keep it pouring when its almost to its max saturation limits, But being in powder form it doesnt settle much aftyou stir it up. (until you reheat it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 6, 2003 Report Share Posted July 6, 2003 Well there's the answer to the threadfin scent making the plastic bubble. They must really load the bait sauces with sea salt because the crawfish bubbles even worse. I don't have a problem with the other scents though...... Strange....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrav Posted July 7, 2003 Report Share Posted July 7, 2003 Well, thank you! You just saved me from making on heck of a mess out of my kitchen. Hate to have to clean that off burners. I'm curious how you added the salt...all at once or a bit at a time? Possibly trying the shad scent and others and if they have sea salt, I'm wondering if there is any way to minimize the bubbling and frothing effect. Did you fellas add these a high temp or before as plastic was warming. Curious if adding certain cold salts/scents to very hot plastic causes this reaction. Please forgive if it's a silly Q, I am new to pouring plastics...but catchin' alot of smallmouth on them:). jrav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 7, 2003 Report Share Posted July 7, 2003 No such thing as a dumb question here. If there were, I'd be in BIG trouble I've added salt in all stages, and I usually put the scent in just before pouring. This doesn't seem to make the plastic bubble. I only have that problem with the threadfin and crawfish scents made by Pro Cure. But Mercury solved the problem with that one because he noticed it has sea salt in it. I have never had a problem with any of Lure Craft's scents, although I don't like 'em that much. Their crawfish is okay, but I don't use any of the others anymore. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 hey chris, this is from the pro cure site.......... A thick oily liquid made just for soft plastic baits like worms, grubs, tubes, pork, jerk baits, etc. Made from real whole fresh ground up bait, special sea salts, powerful fish attractants and bite stimulants. Available in 2 or 8 ounce squeeze bottles. Best scents to use are..... I knew I seen it somehwere..... BTW, in my senko's I add more salt than that. several OZ's The powdered salt does stay suspended much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted July 8, 2003 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 Those little electric coffee bean grinders do an amazing job of turning salt crystals into a fine powder. I only use sea salt (noniodized) from the super market. Is tacklemaking.com's forum down? Error message only. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 yep it went poof.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Thanks for the info Merc. Got a question for ya..... I think I read it somewhere, but I can't find it now...... do you grind regular table salt or popcorn salt? I use the popcorn salt, and it works a lot better than table salt, BUT it still needs to be constantly mixed. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Well I had some salt from LC, and as you know its hella big crystals, I have a high speed blemder with a glass jug, pour in about a cup or so. after about 2 min, its totaly pulverized......... Now its powder, I add it by weight now since its so fine. remember my ice blue craws? with this salt they have the same color as blue ice in the packets. It also gives the lures more flexability since the salt is so fine and not in big chunks. I was at a resteraunt a buddy owns and was checking out his salt, its still mortons, but man its really refined well. you have to go to a distrobution center and get it, but its "foodservice pack". with a yellow band on it. I will try it when I run out of the salt I have already ground to a powder. The same place that you get your popcorn salt should have it. (dont know about costco or sams club) but you could look. Take care chris. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Thanks Jeff. Just might have to look into getting a grinder. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrav Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Thanx, Mercury. When you said "high speed blender" I thought of my Osterizer sitting unused for a while in my cupboard. It does work and really does turn the salt into powder. A few words to those who try this...make sure the container is sealed well! Then powderized salt forms a cloud within the unit and it will seep out the edges of the container. That little top turn in nut on the cover should be taped airtight to prevent escape. Also helps keep the salt in if you take the unit off and shake a bit to get the salt off the bottom for a better grind. Do let the container sit for a bit so the salt cloud settles. Don't think it's harmful to breathe, but it sure sucks. My Osterizer has many years and Margaritas under it's belt so those with a newer, less abused appliance likely won't have these sealing problems. Just remember to keep your hand on top very tightly. jrav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Shoot, I just spent 25.00 at k mart for mine, dont have anything fancy like a food processor, But it has only 1 speed, and thats pulverize....... made fast work of the salt... Oh, one other thing. If you have tons of humidity, put it in a sealed container, this will keep it from turning into chunks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireball Lures Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 Well guys later this weekend I will be hopefully done with my agitator system for the Lee production pots and it will be posted so you guys won't have to stir anymore. Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 cool deal, I wouldnt mind using somthing like that, Hope it turns out well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireball Lures Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 As soon as I get it up and running I will post pictures, I'm using it on my 24 ounce pots not sure if it will work on the 12 ounce pots, but I will see what I can come up with. Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrs5kprs Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Re: Salt Have been having great results (pouring and catching) with my del-mart stik molds. Think most people are afraid to use enough salt. Am using RIDICULOUS amounts of salt in mine...just the plain old grocery store non-iodized kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Could the "sand in the senko" rumor just be people who don't study this stuff like we do but have seen the salt and thought it was sand? I use handpoured senkos made by SouthStatesFishin and don't really see a difference in his and Yamamoto's, except that I like South's colors better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 Thats the biggest thing, Not understanding what is really going on, or whats used. The quest for knowlege is never ending is it? That brings up another thing......... The new plastic from Calhouns, like the flexx plastics, I wonder if it will be off limits to salt? From initial reports and testing, the salt A: kills the strething, B makes the item instable and fall appart inder stress. This is one thing the soft plastics still have over it. adding HUGE ammounts of salt and scent, as well as ease of use. The salt in the package is added only to attract the fisherman, and as we know will hit the water and be useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
