mark poulson Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 I am still having problems getting a watermelon bait with red flake that looks right. Every time I get the watermelon color right, and then add the red flake, I wind up with an almost pumpkin brown bait. I'm using Del's watermelon, and Del's .15 red flake. I add some softener and heat stabilizer, heat the plastic in 1 minute microwave bursts to 340-350, stir in the color, and then add the flake. I reheat to 340 and pour or inject. I'm sure I'm doing something wrong, but I can't figure out what. Help!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrs5kprs Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Have always used a mix of the MF NB watermelons (watermelon and watermelon brown), and 2 sizes of red flake from Lurecraft, usually with mid size black. Some of the greens have always been tricky about fading or changing color after being poured. Q's (or assumptions)... Color is mixed well? Salt added? Does the same flake cause changes to any of your other colors? Does the flake look "ok" after poured, still red, not curled, etc.? If it is not a temperature or process problem, might just need to add some extra green color of one flavor or another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Color is mixed well. It happens with or without salt. I only use the .15 flake in watermelon. The flake doesn't seem to be curled, but it's hard to tell if it's unchanged, because the bait has turned muddy. I've tried adding more green after I add the flake, but I lose the translucent watermelon color. I was thinking of offsetting the additional red by adding either blue or yellow, but I don't know how that will look either. I think my next batch I'm going to cook the plastic, stir in the flake, and then start adding the watermelon green, to see if that makes a difference. I may even use straight green instead of watermelon, and then add some black flake, too, but I'm just groping around in the dark. I really have no clue what I'm doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsworms Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Have you tried using just straight MF's watermelon? Always seemed to work for me. I never tried Del's watermelon, but I had the same problem you're having with Lure Craft's. Once I used MF, problem solved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 I'll try some Have you tried using just straight MF's watermelon? Always seemed to work for me. I never tried Del's watermelon, but I had the same problem you're having with Lure Craft's. Once I used MF, problem solved! Thanks. I see in my Lure Parts Online catalog they sell it, so I'll order some today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitjunkys Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Red and green make brown, Only logical answer is the glitter is bleeding, If you shoot without glitter and it dont brown, Then obviously it is the glitter. IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Here is my recipe for watermelon red which I've had several people say they prefer over zoom and other brands. 1/2 cup of plastic 3 drops Green Pumpkin 1 drop Watermelon 1 drop Natural 4 drops Lime Green .035 black flake .015 red flake All colors are from lurecraft, I have watermelon 101 from lure works but I like this recipe better than the one I came up with using 101 even though it is a good colorant. If you would like that recipe as well let me know and I can go digging for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Here are some pictures for you. The top one is watermelon slick willy's, no red flake but you can see how nice of a watermelon color it is. I used these pics because my watermelon red is a little hard to see because it was cloudy outside when I took it. Seedless Watermelon red hand pours Watermelon Red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slammingjack Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Try adding flake just before you pour. If it comes out right then it's the flake. Get some LC works real good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 I ordered some of Baitjunky's water melon color and .15 red flake. Pretty soon I'll have him to blame! Hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 4, 2014 Report Share Posted January 4, 2014 Lure craft flake is really good quality. I haven't had any problems with folding or bleeding from any of the flakes I have ordered from them and I add all of my flake after heating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitjunkys Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I ordered some of Baitjunky's water melon color and .15 red flake. Pretty soon I'll have him to blame! Hahahaill be very surprised if you are unhappy. You can add just a touch of red to give it the zoom brownish tint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I didn't even think about the amount being added that could be the problem. That is very true, too much red would definitely throw off the color making it appear a darker brown than normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 That watermelon you are showing does not look very green to start. More of a light green pumpkin or motor oil. Try 035 green flake instead of 015. That will help alot. This is more what I consider a watermellon. I added 035 black and red flake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 See that is just too green for my tastes hah. To each his own though. I have a jalapeno color that is that shade of green that has red and copper flake in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 This is a watermelon blue I made in a little better lighting which shows it is more green than brown. Again, just my personal preference and it is a pretty close match to the watermelon Zoom makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 MonteSS where did you get that mold. Looks like a rage craw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baitjunkys Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 If you compare zoom. A watermelon speed craw is different color than a watermelon trick worm. You will find a brown tint being the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonteSS Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 (edited) MonteSS where did you get that mold. Looks like a rage craw. Shhhh......I was hoping no one would notice. The Zoom Watermelon is a great color but not really watermelon IMO And yes mine is that ugly LC watermelon that is way too green. Just showing that the 035 does not brown it up. Edited January 5, 2014 by MonteSS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 One drop will do ya with that LC watermelon haha. The Lureworks watermelon 101 I have produces a really nice watermelon bait as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNC Molds N Stuff Posted January 5, 2014 Report Share Posted January 5, 2014 I usually only cook to 350 once when I first kick the bait over, then I try to shoot from 295-305. Maybe your flake doesn't like hitting 350. I have to be honest though. I rarely actually use a thermo anymore unless I am testing a new plastic. I do keep an NCT hanging above my pouring bench along with a couple digital cooking probes just in case. I have been using Bears and M-F flake, and a variety of watermelon, and I get a decent looking watermelon red IMO. It doesn't look muddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I am going to play around with both MF color, and Baitjunky's flake and color, and see if either, or both, work for me. I think you're probably right about the Del's flake not liking higher temps., but I add it after the first 350 cook, and try to keep it down to 330 after that. I hand pour a lot, and need the plastisol up to 330 to get it to pour well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix77 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 MonteSS where did you get that mold. Looks like a rage craw. Looks like a BassTackle Craw Mold. I have the same one. A very nice mold indeed!. http://www.basstackle.com/Craw702_Mold_p/702-1-1.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassinfool Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 It's not the 702 craw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ipt Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I also spent some time getting a good watermelon red flake. Here is what I'm using 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
