Anyone else into making soft plastics?

[thill]

Do any of you like to make soft plastics?

Just curious.

TH

[Breezy Kid]

I like looking at your soft plastics, they look killer, especially that monster one with two assasians melted together :-}

[Fishpart]

Yes, you and GS inspired me to. Haven't made any lately because I have been mostly slinging eels. When i get back to the ditch it will be back to plastic.

[Fish_n_Dive]

Hey, I'm thinking of trying it, any tips would be great.

[thill]

Got Stripers is the man with the plan. He has a website that shows the basics.

In a nutshell, you buy the plastic from any of several sources (Bass Pro, Lurecraft, Netcraft, and several others, I believe) and then either buy or make a mold. Heat up the plastic in the microwave, add color and glitter and pour into the mold. Done!

Lurecraft has hundreds to choose from.

To make your own mold, you whittle the shape you want out of wood, and then buy some of that EXPENSIVE two-part silicone, and make your mold. Be SURE about the shape first!

I use soft plastics almost exclusively, so I have passed the break-even point, which is rare for fishing! The $100's I would have spent, I have anyway, but at least I have my own supply, not relying on anyone besides plastic suppliers.

Fortunately, so many people donate used plastic lures to me, I haven't bought plastic in a year, so it is working out OK.

For most it is probably more efficient to buy them from Got Stripers, and just stay at work an extra hour to pay for it, rather than spending the cash AND spending hours and hours making them yourself. But I really enjoy the creativity involved in making everything from scratch.

TH

PS - Those "double" lures are still top producers when the big fish are around. I just got lucky with my first design!

[Fishpart]

GS also tells you haow to make a molds with body plastic. I made a few molds using plaster of paris. They worked out ok, but they aren't too durable.

[thill]

Yes, both of those will work, but once you go silicone, you never go back. Most of mine are made from mold urethane, and they are pretty good, but not quite as nice as the silicone.

You can use regular household Silicone, too. Just spread it on in thin layers, and keep adding layers as they dry. Very slow process, but the mold will be excellent if you are patient.

TH

[Bob Thomas]

Thill,

Where do you get the silicone from and how is it packaged?

[striperjerk1]

you know, i changed my tactics this year and used more plastics than normal with fairly consistence results. i was surprised.i,ll probly use more this coming year.and use more selections of color and size.wont be making them though , no room.

[thill]

Bob,

The best source I've found is www.uscomposites.com

The "mold urethane" works, and is cheaper than the silicone, but is not as flexible, and may eventually crack if you bend them too much.

TH

[Fish_n_Dive]

I'm a total newbie when it comes to soft plastics, when you see molds they are always open on one side, how do you make a lure that doesn't have a flat side?

[thill]

Well, there are a couple of ways to do it.

1. Make your pour mold with a very small slit in the back. (You MUST use silicone for this, otherwise flexing the mold to get the lures out will crack the mold) Then over-fill the mold when you pour and use scissors to trim that extra off when the lure hardens.

2. Make a 2-part mold with a pour spout, just like a lead mold. This works very well, but is slower than method #1.

I personally find that my lures don't mind having a flat back.

[Fish_n_Dive]

Thanks thill