Floating Plastic

[mark poulson]

Is there a readily available plastisol, other than the exotic material Keitech uses,  that will float a 3/0 hook?

[SlowFISH]

Mark,

 

  How big of a bait is it for?  I used the Caney Creek Medium and it will float a 3/0 Gammy in a decent size swimbait.  Alot will also depend on the line you're using - I don't think anything will keep floro floating - but braid or mono would help.  I don't think the stuff I used is any different than others plastisol... alot has to do with hook/bait size.

 

  If you're making a DIY mold or willing to modify a mold you own.... there are a few tricks that might help float the bait as well.  I've seen a few baits with "holes" in them to trap air and help get that thing up and floating.

 

 J.

[mark poulson]

J.,

I wanted to make a Pop mold of a PopR-type soft bait, probably 2 1/2", with a light wire hook, like the Gamie you mentioned.  I would be throwing it on 17lb mono, so I can throw it into flooded brush, and still get the fish back out.

I guess I'll make a P.O.P. mold and try it out.  Maybe I'll stir in some bubbles before I pour it.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

Edited December 7, 2014 by mark poulson

[CNC Molds N Stuff]

I never found anything that REALLY worked for me except air.  I did some Mark II Curly Buzz Frogs a while back by pour the bottom mold, sticking in some cut in half foam ear plugs, closing the mold, and then injecting the back color over them.  That worked ok, but it was a little too much work to maker a lot of them.  I had to work fairly quickly so I would get a good bond between the two plastics.  

 

I figure when I get around to making the Mark III Curly Buzz Frog I'll design an option to put in a mandrel for an air pocket.  I haven't done the Mark III because the Mark II catches plenty of fish, and I have been pretty busy.  I do have some other improvements in mind through for the M-III.  

J.,

I wanted to make a Pop mold of a PopR-type soft bait, probably 2 1/2", with a light wire hook, like the Gamie you mentioned.  I would be throwing it on 17lb mono, so I can throw it into flooded brush, and still get the fish back out.

I guess I'll make a P.O.P. mold and try it out.  Maybe I'll stir in some bubbles before I pour it.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

 

Aquarium air stone on a stick.  LOL.  

[MonteSS]

No plastic will float a hook that size.

[joelhains]

I'll add a floating additive to the plastics when making frogs and they will float a 3/0 EWG Hook

[mark poulson]

I'll add a floating additive to the plastics when making frogs and they will float a 3/0 EWG Hook

 Where can I find that kind of additive?

[joelhains]

http://pouryourownworms.com/Floating-Additive-1-quart-FA32-Quart.htm

there you go. The only downside to using it is that it is white. So obviously your can't get clear baits when using it and you have to use more colorant to get the same color as you would without it. It also makes the plastic more firm and less flexible.

[mark poulson]

Thanks.  I bookmarked the link.

I'm thinking white won't be a problem.  I don't think a popper needs to be transparent.

Leonard Smith suggested sanding some cork into coarse dust, and adding that into the plastic.  That might work for more transparent baits, too.