[squigster]

Has anyone figured out the formula for the basstrix minnows using calhoun plastic? I thought I nailed it for the 6 inchers this past weekend and took them out and threw them yesterday and the tail folded over. I used 3 1/2 cups of hard to 1/2 cup of supersoft. They seemed right but did not swim as well as the basstrix and are still a little too soft in the tail and after being wet a while the plastic started to seperate some. I painted a perch pattern and after a few hour it was a dying perch pattern. LOL I made the 3 1/2 inchers using 50 hard 50 supersoft and they swim great but are so soft that the bluegills and perch bite the tails off of them and they only last for about 1 or two fish and are trash. I have tried several formulas and have piles of plastic all over the place with the formulas which luckily I can reuse but I am beating my head off the wall trying to nail this down. I am dipping 1/4, 1/2 , 2/3 for the body and two all the way to the tail. Any help would be appreciated. If someone dont want to give it out plase just PM me. I'll send you some baits or something. Thanks

[Delw]

Originally Posted by squigster

Has anyone figured out the formula for the basstrix minnows using calhoun plastic? I thought I nailed it for the 6 inchers this past weekend and took them out and threw them yesterday and the tail folded over. I used 3 1/2 cups of hard to 1/2 cup of supersoft. They seemed right but did not swim as well as the basstrix and are still a little too soft in the tail and after being wet a while the plastic started to seperate some. I painted a perch pattern and after a few hour it was a dying perch pattern. LOL I made the 3 1/2 inchers using 50 hard 50 supersoft and they swim great but are so soft that the bluegills and perch bite the tails off of them and they only last for about 1 or two fish and are trash. I have tried several formulas and have piles of plastic all over the place with the formulas which luckily I can reuse but I am beating my head off the wall trying to nail this down. I am dipping 1/4, 1/2 , 2/3 for the body and two all the way to the tail. Any help would be appreciated. If someone dont want to give it out plase just PM me. I'll send you some baits or something. Thanks

I was using straight med. but the tails moved to fast so been using Hard.

I don't do that many maybe a 4-5 a month.
on the seperation you might need to dip them a little faster, especially with the hard plastics to it will adhear.
now if I could only paint that would fix one of my problems.
as far as the tails being bite off is it only on the fish that have teeth?


Delw

[squigster]

The gills and the perch cause havoc on the small ones becasue of the plastic being so soft. The formula for the 6" dont work for the 3 1/2 inch and vice versa. I hear what you are saying about the seperation but you cannot really control it if you are painting them can you? The paint has to dry and cool. I dont know If I can let them sit in there longer for the last dip to try and heat the previous layer up or not. Maybe it would adhere better. I will have to try it. I have enough problems getting the tails right. I see why the darn things are so expensive now.

[King Bait Co.]

I have been looking at mine and trying to figure them out. I think they use a medium plastic for the instde of the body. Then they dip them in a harder plastic to make them stronger and as a protection coat for the outside paint an the eyes. The one's I have the outside feels hard but after you put the hook eyelet in the plastic in the middle feels softer than the outside. Plus if you look around the eyes or on the top of the eyes it looks to have a thick layer on the top of the eyes. Its just idea on them I have heard fifty diffrent ways to make them. Nobody has said anthing about using medium plastic for the body and dip them in hard plastic for the outside.

[squigster]

Thats a good idea. I will have to try that one also. I have to get my hands on a 6" version to compare to mine. I know some guys were making them but they were running with their tail up instead of horizontal which is not good or they rocked real bad or had an inconsistent roll or the tail folds over at high speeds. I am going to keep trying to perfect it. When I do figure it out I will post it for everyone so no one else has to go through this much plastic or aggravation.

[captsully18]

Originally Posted by squigster

Thats a good idea. I will have to try that one also. I have to get my hands on a 6" version to compare to mine. I know some guys were making them but they were running with their tail up instead of horizontal which is not good or they rocked real bad or had an inconsistent roll or the tail folds over at high speeds. I am going to keep trying to perfect it. When I do figure it out I will post it for everyone so no one else has to go through this much plastic or aggravation.

Squigster, I would be much in your debt if you would post a definite way to do this. My first ones came out fantastic. Hey, I thought I was on top of the world. After that, not a one has done well. I'm still trying, but if you get there first, I would LOVE to hear how you have done it. Look forward to your success.

David

[Smallie]

Originally Posted by Delw

I was using straight med. but the tails moved to fast so been using Hard.

I don't do that many maybe a 4-5 a month.
on the seperation you might need to dip them a little faster, especially with the hard plastics to it will adhear.
now if I could only paint that would fix one of my problems.
as far as the tails being bite off is it only on the fish that have teeth?


Delw

Delw - how much hardener should I add to Calhouns 2101 to make it into hard?