Frogs and a clear coat...drip dry or bucket of water

[andrewlamberson]

I'm a newby...so please go easy on me....but I read about dipping my frogs in clear hard plastic (works great)...and I built a dowel rod hanger for them which works ok. But I notice some folks drop their baits into cool water to cool down.

Which is better...and why?

(obviously you need to keep you water bucket FAR away from the hot plastic !)

Also, I've molded some CC Frogs Croakers up in both medium and hard CC plastic and the both seem to work equally well...from the noise perspective. What plastic formula do you mold your frogs with? Why?

Thanks!

Does "hard" equate to "more durable" but "less flexible"

[TAE73]

I have been dipping my crappie tubes for years, with no problem. Just work one direction during dipping process, left to right or right to left. Baits that need to dipped, hot plastic, cool water and then hanging rack.

[ghostbaits]

I think you can use either the rack OR water, not sure you would need both. The deal is just to cool them and then you can cut off the excess as needed.

I don't allow the plastic to drain all over. I let all excess plastic drip off of the frog body, round the nose and then put in water. With a reack, you dip the frog, allow some to run off and then just hang the frog and the rest of the excess will drip leaving a tag to cut off later. The rounding way takes way longer!!! I just like the result.

On the plastic, I think it is personal but I use medium and dip in soft. I just don't like my frogs so hard that the frog can get in the way when you try to set the hook. More will tear up but rather that than constantly missing fish. The bait has to fold a little for th hook to get to the fish's mouth.

Just my take...

Jim

[Muskygary]

If you don't have a rack (which most of us don't) then you throw them in water. If you lay them down on something your gone to have a flat side where they laid, so the idea of throwing them in water came up. No flat side; they hold there shape in water.

[kipbass]

I need a recommendation for dipping frogs. Currently using a Pyrex cup to hold clear plastic, but I would perfer something that's a smaller diameter so less is used. Microwave safe too.

[TAE73]

Have you used a one cup pyrex?

[Jason]

You can also use a lab beaker rated for the heat.

[Frank]

Try here. Prices are good but shipping is kinda high. Frank
http://secure.sciencecompany.com/Pyrex-Beakers-C645.aspx

[kipbass]

Have you used a one cup Pyrex?

Yep, but if I'm making laminates of frogs, my 2) 1 cup Pyrexes are in use. Thanks Frank, I'll check this out.
It's official, I'm in deep  Wife says I'm spending too much money! She did understand my logic in wanting to buy a few more molds of the same , so I'm not reheating plastic and burning it, therefore buying and using heat stabilizer. One shot, one kill !

[bribass]

personally i have found water cools the plastic too quickly and doesnt let it bond to the layer below as easily bc its cooled too fast ... so ive ditched the water.. thats just me tho, if it works for you do it!! hope this helps.