Custom Baits - Forum

Soft Plastic Bait Making => Soft Plastic and Plastic Baits - How To??? => Topic started by: chase102798 on 09/19/12 20:20 UTC

Title: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: chase102798 on 09/19/12 20:20 UTC
Besides sink rate, is there any argument to putting salt in baits so that fish "hang on" longer? I'm not using any and I like the action and sink rate of my trailers without. Every bait manufacturer puts it in and claims that it produces a more appealing bait to the fish and I've heard it crunches like a real creature or tastes like blood, etc etc. I think it just makes baits less durable. What is the concensus?
Title: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: 412BaitCo on 09/19/12 20:45 UTC
IMO I think there's a good chance that it makes them hold it longer just like scent does.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: MicroSpoons on 09/19/12 21:59 UTC
I think they  all use it just as a filler as the salt is cheaper then the plastisol, we all know they dont last as long with it so it also helps them sell more. 
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: floridagrimp on 09/19/12 22:23 UTC
Why if I load up...say, a carrot with salt and a redfish with extremely high blood pressure bites it and has a stroke and assumes room temp!!!!  Am I liable for damages cause I made it??  Jason, for selling me the mold??  is the guy who started this thread liable also???    Could the State of Florida, even the DOJ get involved and file a class action suit on behalf of all Gulf Coast Redfish??

I think we all see where this could go.......developing....
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: pjmcla on 09/19/12 22:33 UTC
I think salt may entice a freshwater fish to hold the bait longer --  for a neutral feeding mode fish.  I personally think scent attractants are a better choice.  Particularly with neutral mode fish or especially in cold water.   
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: MonteSS on 09/20/12 02:08 UTC
I think they  all use it just as a filler as the salt is cheaper then the plastisol, we all know they dont last as long with it so it also helps them sell more.

This is my thoughts too.

And I dont believe fish "taste"....they smell

....Bill
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: ghostbaits on 09/20/12 09:01 UTC
Why if I load up...say, a carrot with salt and a redfish with extremely high blood pressure bites it and has a stroke and assumes room temp!!!!  Am I liable for damages cause I made it??  Jason, for selling me the mold??  is the guy who started this thread liable also???    Could the State of Florida, even the DOJ get involved and file a class action suit on behalf of all Gulf Coast Redfish??

I think we all see where this could go.......developing....

I'll bet Denny sees an opening here...  :D

Class action redfish suit?????

Jim
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: Denny Welch on 09/20/12 10:11 UTC
I've given this a lot of thought and I think we've got a pretty good case against Jason.  For a small fee, I'll start working on it right away.  Thank's for the referral, Jim.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: JMason on 09/20/12 11:01 UTC
I think they  all use it just as a filler as the salt is cheaper then the plastisol, we all know they dont last as long with it so it also helps them sell more.
X's 2
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: andrewlamberson on 09/20/12 11:27 UTC
I've ranted on this topic a couple times! :D

It's obviously personal opinion...and if it gives you confidences...then it works.....but...

Salt was added as a cheap filler to replace expensive plastic. It is a common practice in the plastic's industry (disclosure: I work for a high technology engineered plastics firm) to add "fillers" to displace expensive resins (plastic).

It make the baits significantly less durable ...and they sold more.

Some brilliant marketing type guy ...such as myself  8) ...came up with:
 "fish hold the bait longer"
"tastes like blood"
"Immediately seek medical attention if your erection lasts more than 4 hrs"
 (I bet the bell rang big time when the Marketing guy heard some Doctor/Lawyer/Regulatory person say that for the 1st time!!!)

.... to rationalize why they were making their baits so fragile that you could only catch one fish per!!!!!

There is little scientific proof that it makes a difference....but some may argue this based on "experience" on the water.

If you want to adjust your sink rate....use a heavier weight! If you want it to sink really slowly...use a lighter weight! If you want it to float...DON"T use salt! If you want it to sink very..very slowly....Don't use the salted ones.

Personally I don't like salt because:
1. I want to adjust the sink rate to what I want it to be
2. It makes the baits very fragile. One bass per bait is a rip off!
3. When the bass throws the bait I want it to float so I can go over and retrieve it and use it again...and again....
4. It causes hooks and lures to rust!!!!!
5. What if the bass don't like the taste of salt???
6.  Ummm ...ever wonder if bass have become conditioned to AVOID the salt smell??? After you've been wacked a few times by those salty tasting things....maybe they learn to avoid them???


Thank you for the opportunity to rant again! ;D
Title: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: Justin9j on 09/20/12 15:26 UTC
I'm with Andy.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: JMason on 09/20/12 16:06 UTC
Andy, you are 100% right on this. I really hate it when someone asks for salt in their baits. I think it kills the action and the durability of the bait. I do try to talk them out of it, and I sometimes succeed.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: chase102798 on 09/29/12 19:11 UTC
you guys have sold me. Except for maybe some weightless senkos, no salt is my official party line. Thanks for all the info, rants, and legal advice ;)
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: out on a ledge on 09/29/12 21:01 UTC
I'm glad you started this topic because I was also wondering the same. No salt for me unless its for my beer. Lol
Title: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: 412BaitCo on 09/29/12 21:13 UTC
Do you salt your beer so it goes down easier or so you hold onto it longer lol?
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: out on a ledge on 09/29/12 21:42 UTC
Both lol 8)
Title: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: 412BaitCo on 09/29/12 22:20 UTC
And the debate goes on lol. 
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: ctom on 09/30/12 07:17 UTC
Years ago I read an article that made reference to salt, mixing with water, would create a chemical reaction in which a slight electrical charge was the end result and that bass could sense this charge and help it to focus on the bait in near mud for water. But I'm not a chemist so I let that read go. I will buy the filler aspect and the creation of more brittle baits which leads to expanded sales.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: superharmonix on 09/30/12 13:51 UTC
The one thing I do actually like about salt is how my forearm gets all buff when I have to stir the salt into the hot plastic.  :P

Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: chase102798 on 09/30/12 20:15 UTC
The one thing I do actually like about salt is how my forearm gets all buff when I have to stir the salt into the hot plastic.  :P

Be careful. You said "forearm" (singular) so your one arm will look like popeye and the other like olive oyl.

Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: superharmonix on 10/01/12 14:18 UTC
That is the look I am going for!  :P
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: chase102798 on 10/06/12 17:09 UTC
That is the look I am going for!  :P

Sweet. Make sure you post pictures.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: PQF123 on 11/19/12 23:05 UTC
I use salt primarily for sink rate.  It has two other purposes for me.  It affects the action of the bait, as well as the weight of the bait.  The weight of the bait comes into play if you want to fish it weightless.  You can throw a salted bait quite a bit farther, and with more accuracy than the same bait unsalted.  I think that is why the Senko became so successful.  It gave anglers the ability to cast accurately with a bit of distance and present the bait pretty naturally.   As far as action, salt seems to give the bait a more "natural" movement.  It's hard to explain.  It adds a bulk to the bait, that in the right percentage, seems to make the bait move more naturally.  I don't know to what degree it attracts the fish or if they hold a salted bait any longer than an unsalted bait.  The importance of salt for me is #1 Bait Action #2 Sink Rate #3 Added Weight (for casting weightless) #4 Fish Attracting.  Like others, I think scents work best for the attraction part of the equation. 
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: Igor on 11/20/12 08:37 UTC
In what proportions add salt?
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: andrewlamberson on 11/20/12 08:51 UTC
Check out the High Density Sinking Additive....it is significantly easier to work with than salt (easily stirs into the plastic before you heat it...and stays suspended), 2 tablespoons/4oz gives you the same sink rate as salt (see post by Bill), AND ...and this is a BIG AND...it make the baits significantly more durable (salt makes them very fragile).

Plus...no rusting hooks!

http://www.caneycreekmolds.com/HD-Sinking-Additive_p_386.html
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: Igor on 11/20/12 12:37 UTC
I will definitely use HD Sinking additive.
But my friends are convinced that the lure of salt catches better. I need time to convince them that it is not so.
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: andrewlamberson on 11/20/12 12:57 UTC
Get on a really good wacky bite.

After they have caught 5 bass ....on 5 salted worms that flew off the hook as the brought the fish in.

And you have caught 7 on the same worm (since you don't have to re-rig all the time you spend more time in the water)

Offer them your used worm...for $5  :P
Title: Re: Is Salt advantageous beyond sink rate?
Post by: Igor on 11/20/12 14:05 UTC
The buyer will trust me if I prove to him that I can fulfill any of his desires. I saw this when I started to build a rod.
I think it will work and with soft lures.