Senkosam Posted October 21, 2003 Report Share Posted October 21, 2003 Since I've begun pouring, I've noticed that there are basic variables that can affect a worm or grub's action and appearance. Not only do we have the options of different styles/profiles of soft plastic, but can work with other variables that can make a big difference in action or bait appearance. For example, the simple Senko-type worm can be poured to have more-or-less salt for weight and believe it or not, hardness. Without using softner, the worm has the action of a hard jerkbait versus a softer stick. Both work very well, depending on presentations used. Micromunch's short worms are super-soft and great for the soft bite. Length is coupled with girth. Chubby worms that are 5.5", act differently that 4.25" worms. Slim designs don't benefit from the tapered ends like Senko copies that have a thicker middle-sack. Thicker middles may do well wacky rigged and horizontal-dropped, whereas slimmer middles or uniform-thickness worms may do better with whipping, jerk-style fishing. Laminate, versus opaque, versus translucent versus transparent are options that make life interesting. Salted worms will always be opaque, as are certain colors. Contrast to opaque colors only exists with flash or flakes or double pouring two colors. Flake size makes a bif difference concerning texture-appearance. For example, large, metallic flakes stand out like large scales and reflect maximum light. Tiny flakes offer a more internal/external sheen. A combo of both may be self defeating except in a grub tail where medium and small flake mixtures flash different colors. Color brightness is an important variable. Opaque floresence is the maximum color/light reflector. Pink and florescent Yam (LC) are my best opaque stick and grub colors. Margarita (Zoom's Fat Albert) is my second best, especially when watermelon/red, black or purple flake is a laminate-side. Grubs don't need to be hard but, a harder, thicker, and wider sickle-tail thumps the water and results in maximum vibration versus a soft, thin, Kalin-like tail. A harder, salted, grub body benefits from being able to use a lighter sinker which allows the thumper tail to rotate the whole body 45 degrees on either side - kind of like a fat lady pushing her way to a 75%-off sale-table. Ditto's Gator Tail worms come to mind as the first to produce this tail-action in a plastic worm. Lastly, tail design, as mentioned, can make a big difference. Even the Trickworm's knob-tail or the augertail by Mann, creates different profiles and water-displacement waves than the tapered, straight designs. Each has it's uses depending on personal preference and fish activity, but should always be considered an important variable. The addition of rattles may make a difference, but I'm not convinced their worth the time, effort or expense. There may be more, but these came to mind before I leave for work. I thought I'd relay what most of you take for granted as varibles we can offer ourselves or our customers (for those in the business), that will never be offered by the million-a-day-pouring big-boys or Bass Pro. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthworm77 Posted October 21, 2003 Report Share Posted October 21, 2003 Frank, I originally got into hand poured baits in 1990. I didn't start pouring until 2000. My change in 1990 was brought on by a need to scale down my tackle for over all fun. I adopted and adapted many of the West Coast finesse methods for East Coast applications. Being a power fisherman early on, upon using these methods, I began to realize several things. First, I was hooking and catching tons more fish. Second, I was having more fun and 3rd, the colors and softness of the baits I was using was definately an important factor in my success. When I started pouring, I kept these things in mind. I wanted to produce baits that were different from the ones I've seen. I'm not a magician like Chris Aljian who I consider a master of the craft. I took advice and lessons from some of the best and I can pour some really fine baits but I focussed on the differences between baits that I thought made them successful or better. To keep up with the Jonses, I incorporated massive amounts of salt and scent as well as natural match the hatch type colors. I tried to make an extremely soft bait to prevent it from being rejected or spit out by fish. I even adopted a few bizarre colors that really shouldn't catch fish but they do. My biggest concern is bait retention. I honestly feel that the softer baits coupled with salt and scent make for a bait that rarely is rejected. These days, I fish my own soft plastics 95% of the time when I'm using soft plastics...which is 95% of the time I fish. I've developed an amazing string of tournament victories with my own baits and that is what satisfies me the most....the fact that I've been extremely successful going up against some of the big names in the industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted October 21, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2003 Craig, I understand exactly where you're coming from because I believe fish will accept a fake more so if it'sdifferent. The only time I power fish, is in heavy cover in the first part of the season. Today I caught a 6 lb LM on a crankbait, but caught 10 picks and 8 LM on my own sticks and grubs. (I got soaked from the fast moving rain and lightning storm, but went home happy!) It's the first fish over 4 I've gotten all year. The great thing about plastisol are the properties that make it one of the best producers of all species of fish. Pouring has opened up all new avenues of experimentation and rather than keep an inventory of manufactured lures, hoping they're not discontinued and paying up to 65 cents each, just a few zaps in the microwave and I'm all set. My new inventory will contain variations of the above mentioned characteristics. Change-up lures do catch fish off guard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 I think offering something different is the main reason all of us are trying this thing. So far for us success has come with new designs (with exception of the lizards and craws that are not hand poured). I try to look at a style of bait and figure out how I can make it the same, but still different. The Huffer just poped into my head some how, and I have never had another totally different creation come to me since. Its our most successful bait mainly because its different. The paddle chunk is also pretty different for a trailer, but not as unique as the Huffers. But still I try all the time to improve something that is already there. Sometimes the best way to create something for me is to take out a bunch of different plastics and just look at them. Then I start ripping them apart and putting pieces back together. You can come up with some great stuff that way when you are having creative block. Colors for us have been really basic, but hopefully this season we can try to focus on different colors (however impossible that may be) and texture. I know both of these play a equal part in bait success as the design its self, but frankly we havent had time to do much experimenting. I am also use a power technique when fishing. I wish I knew more about the finesse type of presentations, but it seems like I always stick to what I know. Maybe I just need to leave all the big stuff home one day and go all out with light line and small baits. Thats probably the only way I will ever learn how to do it like the west coast guys. The learning process continues....... John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Well you will have your chance with some of the finess baits. The packs I have in the tackle swap are mainly finesse. Now you have no excuse for not trying them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Well Mercury, now that you have put me on the spot, I guess I have no choice I will let you guys know if I have a personal fishing break through in technique. At least I am starting off with great baits!!! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthworm77 Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 it might just change the way you fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 BTW, the huffers that you created, I will tell you that I was verry impressed. I love evreything about them. one hell of a system you came up with. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 I agree with you Craig. A 5-inch bait is actually BIG for me now. I have downsized everything; probably just 'cuz I'm lazy. Seriously, the biggest bass I've caught was taken on a little 4 inch needle worm. If you can talk a fella into going small, they usually never go back. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_hide Posted October 22, 2003 Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Spoilt softie fisherman, your bass are wrecking machines. Here in australia particularly where I live in victoria (cold south)a 4 Inch bait is not finesse fishing. Its Massive. My biggest home made worm is 3.5 Cm's. My Senko/Stiks etc are about 3 Inches. Average bait I use here is a 2.5 Inch shad for large trout and salmon . I can't believe how lucky you guys are, you can design really good large baits while Im messing around with syringes etc trying to fill my tiny little holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senkosam Posted October 22, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2003 Two things come to mind as per Craig's reply - size and texture. If fishing a 4-5" grub on a 1/16 oz.-1/8 oz. jighead, most of the time, is a finesse approach, then that's how I fish 90% of the time. Look at the classic won down in Florida. A short 3" craw with a 1/2 bullet weight was used to punch through heavy, floating, weed masses. This guy was pulling out hogs from early on. Sometimes size counts, but the other way. But, for the first time since I've been using grubs and shads, my handpours are on the fat-and/or-big-action side. The grubs you'll receive, I guarentee will catch fish of different species! Overall length is still small, considering the large 7-10" worms used with 1/2 oz weights, but the profile is mouth size. It's possible that a fish sees this tubby waddler and is convinced it can't move fast enough to get out of it's own way. Plus, it seems too stupid in it's actions, not to be at least subdued in it's appearance and behavior (action)-(a big no-no in nature!) The less-noticed survive; the injured, flashy, grossly-moving or subtley-moving-but-stationary, and/or stupid and unaware, don't! Hey, two approaches to using lures - flashy and stupid versus maimed, injured, weak or drunk! (Lions and their prey come to mind when they decide which animal to take down. What a concept!) As far as texure/ softness is concerned, retention of soft baits is a no-brainer. But, a harder plastic worm (salt filled-no softner), in my experience, is held just as long. The time to strike may not be as long as Craig's softies or Senkos, but far longer than most hard lures. When you think about it, most things consumed by fish are hard! Craws, shads, threadfins, perch, madtoms (with it's spikes), frogs (back-bone, head and extremities)etc., are all hard. The lesser consumed items (slugs, worms (usually only seen under a bobber),eels and leeches, are the only prey that are very soft. Even snakes and lizards are hard and crunchy. From this perspective, matching size and softness, may be the most attractive thing about plastics. Taste may also contribute to retention but not attraction. (Applied scent is a personal preference in my opinion, but salt and cooked-in scent could be detected by taste buds beacuse the time in the oral cavity is much longer because of it than, say, a crankbait or spinnerbait .) (Happy Craig- I concede that scent may be a positive reinforcement for holding on longer, but fish still have no idea what they're tasting! LOL) Time to make up a batch of Slider Worms. Talk later. Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 Thanks Merc I appreciate the compliments. I think the molds for the updated Huffers will be here soon. When I get them, I will try to pour a few and send them to you. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury Posted October 23, 2003 Report Share Posted October 23, 2003 That would be great. Are you sure I couldnt persuade you to part with one of your OLD Molds. Honestly When I seen them I was verry pleased with them. I almost couldnt believe that they were hand pours, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidlizard Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 Sorry Merc, I cant part with the molds, but man I cant wait until we get the new ones. I told you that we would pour whatever you need. Always willing to help any of you out, especially if its with something I pour! I can even try to do any color you like. If I dont know how, just give me the recipe. Thats just like having the molds...........well almost anyway. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celticav Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 The huffer is an awesome trailer, can't wait to see the new ones, JIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthworm77 Posted October 24, 2003 Report Share Posted October 24, 2003 (Happy Craig- I concede that scent may be a positive reinforcement for holding on longer, but fish still have no idea what they're tasting! LOL) Frank-We agree! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
