HAND MADE PRIDE

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 2:35 pm

Guys I was just wondering how many of you make your own crankbaits or pour your own worms? I am just starting to do this myself.
Its not that I cant find what I want on the store shelves or the quality of the baits is not good. Its, well its hard to explain, the feeling you get when you pull in a bass that you caught on a worm that you made the mold, melted the plastic, and packaged the worm. Or how about cutting and carving the wood, sanding, painting (the pattern that you want), useing the hooks that you want, and catching a fish with your own creation.

Just think,you can make them any color, shape or size. How many times have you gone to look for a bait in a particular color or size and not been able to find what you are looking for? Make you a mold of the bait and pour your own. For example Blue Fleck is one of my favorite colors but you cant get it in all the differnt baits that I like to use. So I made a mold of the bait that I like and melted the old worms that I used, you know the ones that are tore or broke in half from fishing, and poured them into my new mold and presto a bait that no one else is using because it can't be bought.

Just an idea for some of you to consider. Alot of Pro are useing some kinda modified bait that no one else can get, Why not us.

All it takes is a little imagination, some time (off season coming up, what better way to spend your non fishing time than making something for next year.) and some Pride in what you are doing.

Mo

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Fri Oct 04, 2002 6:18 pm

I got into tying my own jigs for a while, so I know what you mean. When you catch a fish on something that you created, there is nothing else as rewarding. I never got into molding though... perhaps it's because I worry about melting down plastics and the fumes it may produce. How do you go about melting down the plastic?

Thanks,
BC

MMT · Post by **MMT** » Sat Oct 05, 2002 6:10 am

There is nothing like catching a bass on a bait you made all by yourself. I started making jigs and spinnerbaits in 1995 and now have my own small company. I have begun to pour my own plastics as well. First they started out as just trailers for my jigs but now i'm hand dipping tubes and pouring a bait similiar to the Senko. The cool thing is you do it your way, as much glitter, scent, salt etc as you want. Bren, if you are interested, we have to hook up this winter and I'll show you how to do it.

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Sat Oct 05, 2002 5:52 pm

Brendon it is simple to get started. This is what I did.

To make the mold I went to Home Depot and bought some Durams Water Putty. It doesn't make the prettiest mold there is but it is cheap and works for what I want. Follow the directions for mixing on the can. (I used a little bit more water than its says to get it to pour easier) Take your worm that you want to make a copy of smear it with Vasoline, and use some double sided tape and tape it down to a peice of glass or an old tuper ware dish. I used an old peice of glass from a picture frame and built and little box out of some wood to hold the putty in and around the worm. Pour the putty over it and let it sit till it hardens. Remove the worm from the mold and coat the inside of the mold with epoxy, you can use an old model paint brush to do this. The epoxy gives the inside of the mold a slick finish so that the worm comes out shiny and slick. (I learned that the hard way)

I took a Large Tuna can and bent pour spouts into the sides. I have an outdoor grill with a side burner. I put my old Berkley Blue Fleck power worms into the can and heated it up till they were all melted. (make sure you do this outside or in your shop or your wife will not forgive you). Got the plastic to the point it would pour easy and poured it into the mold. Presto a Blue Fleck Brush Hog complete with Power Bait built in. No one else I know has one. lol.

Or you can go to lurecraft.com or http://www.fishingworld.com/M-F-Manufacturing/ and order you some plastic and some molds and your in buisness. There are also helpful hints on this on these pages. If you really want to learn alot about makeing your own tackle, go to www.tacklemaking.com. These guys have been doing it all for a while and are more than willing to help. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes from there.

JoeMo · Post by **JoeMo** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 5:40 pm

Conley, Brendan and MMT- I am intrigued by the guys who make their own baits. Not that intrigued mind you, that I would do that myself. lol But I do enjoy swapping out hooks, changing skirts and blades, things like that. I also have one of the Texas Hook Sharpeners with the carborundum wheel. Takes a few seconds per hook, but it is now about 12 years old and I still use it. Especially when I buy 50 or 100 tube jig heads. 20 minutes or so and I am done.

Thanks to all of you for contributing your ideas.

Now, I know my changing hooks and skits isn't what you guys are talking about, but it's fun too. Anybody else out there?

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 8:44 pm

Thanks for the tips Craig and Conley... I'll check out that site when I have some time to really read into it.

Craig, I may just have to take you up on that offer this winter...

JoeMo, I'll see you next week... I hope you're ready for some deep water fishin'!

Thanks,

BC

JoeMo · Post by **JoeMo** » Fri Oct 11, 2002 10:14 pm

BC- After fishing in 40-50' with Deep Danbass
and up to 60' with the chap from Chautauqua Lake (in the St. Lawrence), I doubt that I will beg off the chance to nail a "Bozo" Smallie or perhaps a gorilla Bigmouth.

I'll get the heavy weapons ready. Especially the C-Rig outfit. It'll be fun. You going to White?

MMT · Post by **MMT** » Mon Oct 14, 2002 2:07 pm

Bren, no problem, it might cost you a Banana Boat or two!!!! LOL

brendanc · Post by **brendanc** » Sat Oct 19, 2002 6:39 pm

NO BANANA BOAT FOR YOU!!!

MMT · Post by **MMT** » Sun Oct 20, 2002 1:39 am

No soup for you!!