Custom Baits - Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: HawgBone on 12/19/10 13:37 UTC
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So I got my order from CCM and tried my hand at injection, I've made about 8 frogs but not really anything I'm too proud of yet. I have a picture of the first frog I made, it might be the best one I made. Looking at some of the baits posted on here, I feel almost ashamed to post this thing on here. :P Any tips for an injection newbie?
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/HawgBone/Mr%20Ribbit/BramberShrunk.png)
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Hey Hawgbone,
I am not the best at injection, but these are some tips that I have received along the way that have been helpful to me.......
1st, lube your new injector with scent worm oil. Just a few drops goes a long way.
2nd, I personally like my injector hot. I use a hot plate that I purchased at walmart - turn it on 400 degrees and let the injector sit while heating the plastic.
3rd, plastic I don't know what type of plastic you're using, but soft is the most difficult to work with, then medium, then hard. Okay, this is a must an has been very helpful to me - an infrared temp gage! This will allow you to see how hot your plastic is. If using a microwave, I start off let's say 6-onces plastic well shaken, put in for 1 min then you can check with the temp gauge to see where you're at. Depending on temp you can go every 15 or 30 sec to bring it up to about 350. Make sure you stir the plastic before you check temp. Once at 350, add color and glitter, then stir it in. Then check temp again. If it drops below 315, put the plastic back in for about 5 -10 sec to bring it back up to 350.
4th - okay, time to inject. Take your hot injector off the plate and stick it in your cup of plastic, pull in all the plastic then eject all the plastic in the cup very slow. This will get rid of any air in the injector. Now pull the plastic in again and inject your mold - very, very slow, just rest your hand on the injector and it should flow right into the mold. Hold pressure on the injector for 10 seconds with the frog mold. Some molds are different than others, depending on how long you have to hold them on the end. Then top off the spru with the rest of the plastic.
I don't use the microwave much anymore, I use a presto pot. I find the presto pot easier to work with. Once you have more than a few molds that you're working with at a time, it is worth the investment.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
Shawn
Underdog Baits
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Here is a video:
http://www.caneycreekmolds.net/index.php?topic=45.0
The picture isn't showing up for me, I'd love to see it.
Remember, we all started from the same place. Don't get down on yourself.
It just takes a little practice and creativity.
Shawn hit on all the core stuff. The only thing I would add is a note about recycled plastic. The more you reheat plastic the more difficult it is to work with. You can add heat stabilizer to extend it's usable life but at some point it becomes pretty tough to reuse.
Jason
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Hey Jason,
Deleted a few pictures from photobucket and I think I deleted the wrong one :P. Anyways, it should be there now and thanks for the tips I'll be in the "lureborartory" a little bit this week I'll be sure to post some results.
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Thanks for putting the pic back. You are being way to critical of your work. The frog looks great. You have the technique down, just have fun with the colors!!!
Tight lines!
Jason
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Thanks Jason! I poured a couple more frogs and tried triple dipping them, I have one that turned out alright. I dipped it watermelon-green plastic instead of clear so the eyes don't look that great. Only time will tell if it's a good idea I guess. Has anyone else tried dipping these frogs a couple times?
Triple-Dipped
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/HawgBone/Mr%20Ribbit/HuskyChartermelonShrunk.png)
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Dude.... I don't know what you are talking about... Both of those will catch!!!!!
Practice makes you good at hand pouring and injecting. Get a rhythm and set-up you can work with and keep refining it.
After a while, you won't even think about the steps.
You are definitely on the right track!!!!!
Jim
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Thanks Jim, it's great to hear that from someone who can create baits like you can! I made two more colors of frogs, but I think I went a little bit hard on the red flake. Is there any kind of guideline you guys use for your glitter? Like determining how much, or what size? I've always just kind of taken a shot in the dark.
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/HawgBone/Mr%20Ribbit/WhivocadoShrunk.png)
(http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/h458/HawgBone/Mr%20Ribbit/RevocadoShrunk.png)
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I have a set of measure spoons that has nip, smidge, pinch and dash size. I use the dash mostly, 2 of them to 4oz of plastic is usually enough.
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I have a set of measure spoons that has nip, smidge, pinch and dash size. I use the dash mostly, 2 of them to 4oz of plastic is usually enough.
Ditto on the measuring spoons. Go to Wally World and pick some up.
On flake, I have been taking this stand. If it is a reaction bait like a frog or a mat punching bait, I am not sure it matters that much. If the water is clear and the bite is subtle, it seems less flake or smaller flake works best. Stained or dark water I amp up my flake. I have caught more with that mindset this year.
Just my observation though. The fish really have to tell you the right amount OR the fisherman you are trying to catch!!! LOL!!!
Either way, you are making good baits!
Jim
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The nip and smidge sizes work well on hi-lites.
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I remember the first time I used a blue highlight - let's just say they never saw the water. Like Ted is saying, a little "smidge" goes a long ways.
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Also important on the hi-lites....to bring them out, add a drop or less of black for the darker colors or white for the lighter. Really intensifies the hi-lite
Jim