Home Made Soft Plastics

[Patrick]

This is really a message for Got Stripers since he is the only guy I know that pours his own plastics. I have some questions.

Did you buy a mold or did you make it? If you made it, what material did you make it out of and if you bought it, where? If I were to make my own mold, how hard do you think it would be to make something like a Fin-S?

So you just melt the plastic like you would lead? Could I do this on a grill or a stove top?

When melting the rubber, do you seperate the colors or do you just make one big pot?

The reason I ask is because I have a bunch of half Fin-S and have Sassy Shads because of blues. I usually just toss them out but if there is a way to save them, I will.

Patrick

[Fishpart]

Patrick, Got Stripers has some great articles on how to make soft baits here http://www.rgsiroisco.com/articles.htm. There is also a book by C. Boyd Pfeifer on tackle making that has a decent article on making your own soft baits and molds. I made some Fin-s type molds using plaster of paris, but the baits kind of stick. When I painted the molds i found the baits pull the paint out, not a huge deal but you get a little paint on your fingers. You really need to read Got Stripers article on making your own, it would have made me more successful my first time out. You can recycle all of your old soft plastics, so be sure you save them as they rip. LOL

[Got Stripers]

Fishpart beat me to the punch and there isn't much I can add that isn't in my article. If you have any questions after reading it, or down the road when you get started, send me an email because I'd be happy to help. VENTILATE, don't want to be breathing the fumes, tight lines.

[Fishpart]

Got Stripers, I seem to get a lot of bubbles when I pour do you have any suggestions? It seems to be worse at the start, do you think I am gettign my plastic too hot??

Thanks,
Fishpart

[Got Stripers]

It could be too hot, if you microwave to jump start things that can cause problems or salt if your trying to add it can cause bubbles. You don't want to get plastic too hot for a couple of reasons, first it can burn and the result will smell burnt, second the color youv'e added will be affected. That's especially true when pouring lighter shades, which tend to darken under too much heat. Could also be the plastic, which I can't comment on. Unless the bubbles are really severe and ruining the final result, I would be too concerned about it.

If your not using a microwave when melting down old baits, give it a try. I cut my old baits down into small pieces, put them in a coffee cup, about 3-1/2 minutes on high in the microwave and into the melting pot almost ready to pour. Another good product for striper baits is Fish Oil, which is made from Menhadden and the stuff really stinks. If your looking for a good scent additive that the stripers will recognize, this stuff works great. The only drawback is it tends to turn the plastic somewhat yellow, so it works best if your looking for that color or working with darker colors that will mask it.

Tight lines, hope that helps.