Want to learn

[saint308]

Hey guys, this is my first time here. I just fished Toledo Bend this weekend and decided to pour my own baits. I have no idea how to get started. I read the plastics 101 article on this sight, and have become intrigued. Can you guys please give me some suggestions on a good reasonably price starter kit, and any helpful advice. I am most interested in pouring trick worms, lizards, senkos and creature baits. Thanks. Saint.

[woodsac]

Welcome to TU

Start here for a complete kit:

Starter Kits

These kits have everything you need to get started. If you decide you like it and want to continue, you buy or make additional molds of the baits you want. Also, look in the 'How-To' section. There are tutorials there on how to make your own molds.

Make sure you take some time to search through the archives!!! There is more than enough info to get you started pouring and mold making

[saint308]

Thanks for your reply. I was reading up on this stuff and noticed there are two piece molds and one piece molds. Am I correct in assuming the difference is one gives a one piece lure and the other gives you two halves stuck together? If so, which would you recommend for a beginner and why? I would prefer to use a one piece, but if it's much more difficult I will cut my teeth on two piece. Thanks. Saint.

[woodsac]

Actually, the difference is that a 2 piece mold gives you a completely round bait, like Zoom worms. A 1 piece mold will give you a bait with one flat side, like Robo Worms.

I would say about 98% of all handpours are done in 1 piece molds and have a flat side. There is no disadvantage to having a flat side on a worm The main bait that comes out of the 2 piece mold is the soft stick bait (senko).

[saint308]

I appreciate your help once more.

[charkins]

Del has a really good senko type mold! It is the greatest. I haven't tried his plastic yet, but everyone says that is great. I think that Lure Craft has the best selection of colors. You need some watermellon, pumpkinseed, black, red, chartreuse, and black grape to start. You need some silver, blue, green, and gold glitter to start. You can probably just get medium size glitter to start and get smaller and larger later. Hope this helps.

Cal

[dvowell]

Everyone here has given great advice and I know I read a lot of things before I started pouring. I've just got about got all of my items together to start down the path of building my own cranks now as well.

As far as advice on color goes, I'm just going to say look at what you primarily throw...but keep to the simple colors to start off with (such as watermelon, pumpkinseed, etc). Heck, You might even keep it REALLY simple and just use straight color to start with. I've caught a TON of fish of just plain watermelon with no glitter!

You'll find straight colors with no additives of any sort are easier to pour. Once you get pretty decent at that (especially if you are going to start out pouring lizard or creature type baits like I did), move on to glitter and other additives.

Don't forget to check back in and post once in a while. I don't post as often as I should, but I do try to once in a while. It's always good to hear from others. It's kind of a self-help therapy place, if you stop and think about it! :grin:

Seriously, I feel like I'm beginning to make a few friends here and there and it's terrific!

[Senkosam]

Bob and Del have many of the designs you mentioned. Great service and quality products. Del sells the best plastic in America, at the best price, along with glitter and dye. Order a gallon of softener from him - you'll need it for worm baits that need a little extra softness.

Though I'm not a big fan of Lurecraft.com molds or service, Dave makes silicone molds that are fair for many designs, though all are one pc. Be careful when ordering dyes from him - a few aren't what they appear to be.

I've made quite a few molds (1 and 2 pc.) from plaster, especially Durham's, and have been pleased with the lures. I've thrown out 3/4 of my mold copies of other lures and have started making molds of prototypes that have done well since last year. In fact, most of what Lurecraft sells, you could very well make a better mold youself, especially creature baits.

Good luck -you'll be quite proud of your creations and surprised at how cheap and easy they are to make (beyond the initial startup costs). Besides, plastic and old baits can be reheated to pour new lures.

[saint308]

One quick question. Can you buy glitter from a retail outlet (Wal-Mart)? Is this the same type of glitter? If so, is it really any cheaper? Thanks. Saint.

[texasbass1]

Don't buy the glitter from anywhere but one of the soft plastic outlets. The stuff from Wal-mart won't hold up to the heat of the plastic when it is melted.

Welcome to the TU. Good luck and let us see some of your creations

[saint308]

What is the difference between the t-stick mold and the ribbed mold? I would guess the t-stick is a tiki stick copy and the ribbed is a senko copy. Is this correct?

[Joe S.]

Yep!