FishSchooler

I've seen homemade rubber baits on TV. They seem to work well but seem incredibly hard to make. Any ideas on how to?

slabjig

They are actually pretty easy to make, all you need is a mold, a source of the plastic (called plastisol) which can just be old used plastic baits, and a source of heat which can be readily controlled. A microwave and a pyrex measuring cup work very well for that. Using the microwave, heat the plastic in 15-30 second increments, stirring with a wooden popsicle stick or dowel in between. When fully melted, the plastic is like thick syrup. A little too much heat and it scorches. Then just pour the plastic into the mold and let it cool...this is a little tricky and takes a bit of practice.....but, you can just remelt your failed attempts. A good source of molds is Lurecraft...just do a search online. They also sell the plastic in liquid form which is a bit easier to use as well as a lot of different colorings and additives. You can also make plaster of paris molds of existing baits. There's an excellent site called Tackleunderground which has great information about all aspects of making your own lures and baits

GraphiteZen

As long as silicone doesn't melt at a temperature the same or lower than than plastic I bet you could make a mold like this:

Get a plastic bait that you want to copy (a worm or whatever), and metal tube that you hang the bait into vertically from a piece of string and a needle. Secure the metal tube vertically to a block of wood then coat the worm with a little vasoline and hang it into the tube so that the sides and bottom don't touch and give yourself like a half inch on all sides. Then fill the tube with high temp silicone or gasket maker (maybe heat it a little so it gets more runny and doesn't move the worm around as you pour it in) and wait for it to dry. Then pull the worm out and cut the mold in half lengthwise. To use it just put the two halves together and wrap some string around it and fill. Seems like it would work..

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cavdad45

Make a mold by setting a senko or other plastic worm in a shoe-box lid full of Plaster-O-Paris. When it dries remove the worm and you have a mold for pouring your own. Recycle partial, broken, and torn plastics by melting them in a saucepan and pouring them into the mold.

Troutski

Cleaver, and very green

Chuck

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FishSchooler

Doesn't melting rubber things create very horrible smells?

cavdad45

Low temps will melt soft plastics quite easily. And when you are done, set the pan aside and when the remainder of the plastic cools it will come out like jello from a mold.

There are bottles of plastic that you can get at some sporting goods stores for mixing your own colors and adding scent. For that matter, two-piece injection molds are also available for the hobbyist.

JTLunker

I would like to make some of those dingers!

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Live to fish!

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