Softner Question

[bassn1]

I poured a few stick baits, some with and some without softner. The baits with the softner came out like wet noodles. The question is..will the hooks tear out of the baits with softner easier than the baits without or does the softner have no effect on the strenghth of the bait. I used Calhouns..8oz plastic 2oz softner and a 4oz salt. I wont be able to field test these baits since the water is still kinda stiff up here!!

[Fish_N_Fool]

Bassn ,

Yes the baits will tear up easier with more softener, but they have more action and in my opinion will catch more fish. I make my baits pretty soft the don't worry if the tear up or not. I'd rather get bit then the bait last a long time.

But you may be using to much softener. The formula I use is 1/2 cup salt (8 oz.) and a 1/2 cup of plastic, 4 teaspoons softener (not sure what that comes out to in oz.) and 1 tsp. heat stabilizer. I add my plastic to the floured salt before I heat it. I also sift my salt into the cup. I use a 50 / 50 mix of salt / plastic. The baits come out just right in my opinion.

[bassn1]

Thanks for the help, your formula has a bit more salt and a tsp less softner than the one I use. I also like the action over the durability but the guys up here want a senko style bait that lasts a little longer than the Yamamoto. I wonder if the Calhouns plastic is tougher than the plastic Yamamoto uses.

[james bradshaw]

Well it doesn't take much to make a stick worm better than a senko! Even with the recipe of 1/2 cup of salt, 1 cup of plastic, 1/4 cup of softener, they still hold together better than a senko and have good action.