DRob7 Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 What a great site. I am looking to start pouring some of my own soft plastics. I am only looking to do this for fun for me. Not looking to make money, just looking for something to kill some time during the winter months in Indiana. I am only looking to make the basics like senkos, worms, creature baits, and spider grubs. That's about all I use. However, I have no clue where to even start. I've seen several molds that I would definitely like to try. I have no idea where to buy plastic, how to make plastic, how to produces colors and scents, etc. Where do you all suggest I start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROWINGADUBAY Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 I would start using the search function and read up all the interesting posts I am not saying this to discourage you from posting but there is alot of useful info on this site alot of time I find more useful info in there than anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 Also check places like Jann's Netcraft, Barlow's Tackle Shop, Bear's Baits, Lure Craft, just to name a few. See what they offer and some prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBehr Posted February 10, 2012 Report Share Posted February 10, 2012 A couple of the injection mold makers have beginner "kits" that are a great way to start....correctly! I personally got frustrated with hand pour and wish I had gone straight to injection. Both are great company's to do business with. http://www.caneycreekmolds.com/Kits-and-Certificates_c_24.html http://www.bearsbaits.com/Starter-Kits_c_29.html If you want to start with hand pour (open, one sided mold) to keep your costs down, the Freedom Fry kit from Caney Creek is a great way to start. http://www.caneycreekmolds.com/Kit--Open-Pour_p_86.html The aluminum mold for this bait really has helped me learn to hand pour ....with much better results than some of the other "cheap" hand pour molds I wasted money on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshimotoson Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 The injection molds will allow you to make baits that rival most others off the shelf giving you the ability to have nice appendages with great action. For me, there is something to be said about hand pouring. It is a great way to really "get to know" the plastic and how it acts. To get a good feel for the plastic is to know what happens when adding salt, softner, hardner... and so on. I feel I have learned that by spending countless hours sitting over a pan and a hot plate. Hand pouring also allows you to get started at a lower price point if you happen to be on a budget. For most of us that have been doing this for a long time, hand pouring was more or less or "right of passage" that progressed us into what we do today. But... I also agree with DeBehr. If the injectors were available eight years ago when I started making my own soft plastics, I would have went straight to them, I just feel that it may have taken me longer to gain the experience I have developed over the years. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 First of all, welcome to TU. If you want to really learn the hobby start with handpouring in open molds and then work your way up.( you don't climb a ladder from the top down;lol) That way you will learn about colors as well as blending two and three colored baits. You can also make your own molds out of POP for little money and it's fun to do. Check out the "how-to" section on TU. If you have any questions; don't be afraid to ask. www.novalures.com 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted February 11, 2012 Report Share Posted February 11, 2012 (edited) All good info so far here's my take on hand pour versus injection: Both have their place in your arsenal I would recommend an injection starter kit from one of the above mentioned companies, get the mold that you will fish the most as you will immediately feel the results of your labor. I would also buy several hand pour molds of easier types of baits (no thin appendages here) as they are cheap and will give you years of useful production as you stated you wont be selling or doing volume. If you dare go ahead and buy one or two with more difficult features to understand the quirks of plastic but I would not recommend it be your only choice. Colorants come in many sizes but I would start off with the 1 oz sizes it sound like a small amount but it goes a long way and here you can determine what colors suit your taste before buying larger amounts, this also goes for flake same deal. As for what colors I would stick with pre made colors i.e. june bug, black, watermelon and the like then when you get the hang of it you can always blend your own colors, my point is you don't want to learn everything at once. Again as stated search the do's and don'ts section and search the web for YouTube videos on the process there are a ton out there from many folks on here. Have fun and good luck look forward to some pics! Very important: make sure you read the safety requirements and suggestions for safety on here as I assure you we have all learned the hard way and this stuff can hurt you if not respected. Edited February 11, 2012 by mrbilky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
