Making "Hard Nose" soft plastic

[MarkGuru]

I am sure you have all looked at "Hard Nose" soft plastic baits.

A hard nose bait lasts longer because it is harder at the end wher the hook pulls on the bait.

And you can see the mold lines for the hard nose section.

Well, in trying to figure out how to make UV (Ultraviolet) soft plastic lures that were not.

I discovered mixing engine oil UV treatment to find leaks and WD-40 will make a lure a lot harder. (read my other post about the importance of UV lures)

Basically get a quart (canning jar) and a WD-40 spray can with the spray nozzel and put the nozzel in the jar with the lid close on top to keep the fumes to a minimum.

Empty the can

Add about 8 drops of engine oil UV - to find leaks of engine oil - from the local automotive parts store. (not sure if it is the WD-40 or the combination that makes soft plastic hard).

In a new jar place enough to harden the section of the end of the soft plastic lure that you want

Figure our a way to keep the rest of the lure from falling into the jar.

Soak for 24 hours.

Wash with hot soapy water to end the chemical reaction.

Oh, if you have butter fingers & such use proper safety equipment

Now you have Hard Nose worms or in my case tube jigs... so they last longer.

Best Regards

MarkGuru

[ghostbaits]

WD-40 is a fish attractant however engine oil treatment is not. I am wondering if the trade off of hard nose baits is worth turning off the fish from the leftover scent of engine oil treatment.

For hard nose lures, I just pour the nose in tougher plastic or dip the nose in tougher plastic.

Jim

[nbarnych]

Question about dipping the head in a harder plastic....

Does it hamper the action a little or does it improve action being you have a harder, more solid part and a long softter section? (almost like making it a jointed hard bait...ie, swim bait)

[ghostbaits]

It does depend on the bait. It can hamper or change the action for better.

I think a hard nose is really not that big of a deal myself. If it was, Mann's would sell ton's of baits. They don't so I can't see the big deal really. The bait still tears down where the hook goes through the bait so you may still have the nose on your hook but the rest of the bait is gone....

Jim
 

[nbarnych]

Very true...good point

[MO QWACK]

So how hard can you make them ?