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I'll have to experiment with that. I have a pint of baitplastics softener and worm oil but switched to dead on black label. I'll see if using baitplastics causes any issues. It'll be nice to save a few bucks without needing to buy dead on worm oil/softener.

Great and informative

This is all you need to tie jigs. Coat and Clark Upholstery thread 137 mill 150 yard spools scissors Razor blade for trimming Umbrella skirt tag ends ( silicone skirts ) do not use any type of glue to secure your knots. That is forbidden. Like I said 44 years in this business I tend to know what im talking about.

44 years of tying custom jigs ive never use one. They dont save you thread and they just get in the way.

For those tying bass jigs with thread like I am. Does anyone have a relatively nice bobbin recommendation? Thanks in advance!

I'm close to that same ratio. I'll use that amount to drop my MF medium to soft. If I'm adding salt or glass beading or even floating additive, I adjust from there. I'll even add softener to the soft blends when using additives. As far as using the same brand softener in like brand plastic, I wouldn't worry too much. I've been mixing and matching for years without issue. I don't want to keep buying more softener every time a manufacturer changes formula for their plastisol, and I change brands. I just use what I have whatever I have on hand. Example- I have almost exclusively used MF plastisol. But I can't get it anymore. I had also tried Dead On, and bought their softener to go with it. When I was able to get MF again, I just used Dead On Softener in my MF. No problems. Same with Bait Plastics. I used either MF or Do It brand of softener, no issues then either. Now I can't get MF again But still have at least a quart of Dead On softener. Don't know what platic I'll get to replace the MF, but I won't spend$$ for new softener. Same with Hardener. I've tried them all. I have LureCraft. I hate it because of the color and smell, so I tried Do It Crystal Clear. Worked fine in whatever plastic I was using. Others may have had different results. This is only my experience. Best I can tell you is, experiment And have fun.

Best blanks I have found >>>>> https://www.alternativelures.com/lipless-baits-crankbaits

https://www.sugartitcustomlures.com/ just got some from here, they look really good, and shipping was fast.

I usually do 1 tablespoon of softener per cup to drop it down one level of durometer. Also make sure you are using the same brand softener as your plastisol.

Thanks you Sir! Saw your post and already ordered.

Here you go Tiderunner. They still have it and emailed me about it this morning. Here’s the link. https://store.do-itmolds.com/search.asp?keyword=91253

Check out bitters baits if you don't find anybody to pour them. They have a split tail trailer if it works for you.

Up to a point, the narrower the lip the more rocking motion a bait will have, flashing its sides up and down. Wider lips have much less rock and more tail wag. If you make a lip more narrow than the width of the bait, it can cause the bait to blow out and begin to spin on a constant retrieve. That matters more on regular crankbaits and less on jerkbaits.

Yes, they are.

Much appreciated. I didn't find it there either.That's why I thought it might be the powder paint. If they no longer carry it, I can always try the Spike It brand.

All are very good replies. I appreciate the different opinions. I do have different molds. My favorite silicone jigs to tie are life like silicone swim jigs. I imagine I could use most of those to tie bucktail jigs. I just didn’t know if anyone here had tried different molds for that application. It doesn’t have to have a keeper for a grub. I can hand tie one on. I am pretty good at coming up with patterns and colors for silicone swim jigs. I will just have to play with the bucktail and see how the jigs react in the water makes self. I have watched most of Smalljaw’s videos over the years. Dan is one of the people that kind got me into wanting to tie all my own jigs and my own patterns. Thanks again everyone.

All are very good replies. I appreciate the different opinions. I do have different molds. My favorite silicone jigs to tie are life like silicone swim jigs. I imagine I could use most of those to tie bucktail jigs. I just didn’t know if anyone here had tried different molds for that application. It doesn’t have to have a keeper for a grub. I can hand tie one on. I am pretty good at coming up with patterns and colors for silicone swim jigs. I will just have to play with the bucktail and see how the jigs react in the water makes self. I have watched most of Smalljaw’s videos over the years. Dan is one of the people that kind got me into wanting to tie all my own jigs and my own patterns. Thanks again everyone.

Learn to tie a knot faster. Most don't re tie enough anyway.

I thought about doing that, too, but I realized I'd have to retie every time the bait got damaged.

No. That’s not the product that I have. I sent them an email asking if the still handle the UV powder. It’s a light yellowish powder and I didn’t find it in their store. When I find out, I’ll reply back.

I ordered the mold from Barlow’s with Gami hooks. I’m hoping to modify a swim bait mold so I can mold the plastic around the jig.

I've done some searching around, and the Do-It UV Blast Powder was listed under powder paints. Is this the stuff? The only other option I have found is the Spike It/Lureworks liquid, which after researching sounds as though it's a bit less user friendly. Although certainly not rocket science.Is this the Do It powder? And if it is, it is actually a powder paint. Does it affect the plastisol in any way. As far as mixing, I have made a little mixer attachment that fit into my Dremel that does an excellent job of mixing. https://store.do-itmolds.com/Clear-Pro-Tec-Powder-Paint_p_810.html

Looks like a modified knock off of my Nail Head designed 15 yrs ago. Without the weight of a head to stabilize a hook point upright position, a pinned bait could roll or even spin. Very responsive to angler imparted twitch darts. http://leadfreejigheads.com/images/nails.JPG

Since the OP already has other molds, I don't understand the advantage of having a single mold for tying and pinning plastics? Since Smalljaw ties bucktail on a no collar head, perhaps the best solution would be a wire keeper head which can be cast with or without the keeper. Do-it conveniently offers many jig head styles utilizing both eye sockets and wire keepers to suit both aesthetic and functional preferences.