Hi-Lites

[Otis Baits]

I was going to get some hi-lites and try them out.How is the best way to use them and what do they do.Can they be used in dark colors to any affect.(green pumpkin, watermelon,June bug...) I use floater bubbles on some trick worms.And people really like them here.But I lose so much color.Will the hi-lites help get some color back?

[superharmonix]

I sure can't answer on the bubbles, and there are quite a few more well-versed peeps in this forum than me,  but certain hi-lite colors really bring out some cool characteristics.. For example, I use gold hi-lite in my CCM green with a drop of black for my baby bass back color and get a very realistic bronze-ish effect just like a real bass.  It literally blew me away the first time I tried it.  I'll say this- you sure don;t need much hi-lite at all to achieve insane results.

-Shawn

[ctom]

They add another layer or reflectivity to your baits. I love using them in small amounts in transparent colors. The colors look like they a foot thick in the sunlight. You can play on colors with hi lites too....try putting a small dab of violet in transparent chartreuse and see what happens to the color in sunlight. Try a dab of blue hi lites in transparent pink....that'll catch your eye. Gold hi lite in transparent orange....wowser.

I have found that using them in small amounts is the best way to go. Remember, you can make a ton of tiny adjustments but you can't undo a big one.  Hi lites are way more fun than the pearls in my opinion, but if you load a color with hi lite you'll end up with a color that looks like its a pearl color. Hi lites add sheen of a seperate color to your plastic's surface while pearl goes right into the meat of the plastic.

[pjmcla]

They are really neat to play with.  The hi lites somehow go to the surface of the paint and add a shimmer.  They all have a pearl overhue that will cloud a clear bait with a dull pearlish effect if you put much in.  As Ctom & Superharmonix have stated hi-lites can create some really neat  overtones.  They reflect their effect better in sunlight or light shade.  The most common use of a hi-lite color is blue hi-lite mixed with white pearl --  Monkey milk is a prime example when combined with black glitter ( a killer Crappie color ).   Many flukes are a white pearl with a touch of  blue, purple, or green hi-lite.     

[szuloaga]

Hi-lites have been on my radar as of late too! I have a buddy who makes a ridiculously awesome looking bait with some of that Hi-lite in it. With his, the bait looks like a normal color in your hand, but when you drop it in the water the hi-lite lights up!! It's really cool! Where can we get the hi-lites by the way? Last I saw him, I failed to ask where he bought his.

Steve

[pjmcla]

Lurecraft handles them. 

Listed under -->  Plastic Coloring  -->  Powder Coloring.

http://www.lurecraft.com

[ctom]

This I posted a couple days ago but shows how hi lites can work with plastic. This plastic is clear with just a dab of violet hi lites, no colorant whatever. The bait on the top or right shows clearly how hi lites work.

When using hi lites it is common to se some colored film atop the cup of liquid plastic. I stir it back in when I see this "slick" form since I want the hi lites to work inside the plastic rather than just on it. The pic shows hi lites at work inside the clear plastic.

 

[szuloaga]

Thanks for the info. Do you guys think 2oz. will last very long? Obviously it depends on how much you pour or inject. How long does the 2oz or whatever you guys have last?

[BassDetective]

If I understand this correctly.  Because the stuff floats you only have partial control over the location of the highlight OR are these being dipped?

[superharmonix]

Thanks for the info. Do you guys think 2oz. will last very long? Obviously it depends on how much you pour or inject. How long does the 2oz or whatever you guys have last?

 I use a smigeon at a time (in 1 cup plastic), and there are 158 smigeons in 1 ounce.  (this is an actual smigeon measuring spoon-ebay $5 for a set with dash and pinch)

BUT- of course it's all relative as we all have our own tastebuds...

If I understand this correctly.  Because the stuff floats you only have partial control over the location of the highlight OR are these being dipped?

It actually mixes into the plastic.  I believe it is a type of mica powder(Jason??).  You mix it just like pearl powder and the stuff from LC actually stays suspended VERY well.  It does not stay on the surface(unless you don't stir!) 

hope that helps.... 

[BassDetective]

I get it now - thank you.   

[pjmcla]

I don't think they float particularly, but some of the ingredients in the Hi-lite powder will "migrate" to the outside of the bait as it is injected & cools somehow.  The Lumina powders have part of their ingredients that do that as well.  More visibly than the Hi -lites.  ( At least that is what I see when I closely examine them ).  I would think you could dip with a clear with hi -lites.  It would surely concentrate the effect.   
As far as add rates, I use 1/16 tsp per 2 oz. on most, up to 1/8 tsp per 2 oz. on my heavy add rates with my opaque white pearls.  I am "heavy handed" compared to most.   1 oz. = 6 tsp x16 =  96 1/16 tsp. per fluid oz of product.  Now 2 oz. of powder is "larger" than 2 fluid oz I believe.   We are talking mixed measures here sort of.  we are using liquid measure "tools" on a powdered item.  But the add rates are  still viable assuming we both are not compacting the powder.  I gently fluff stir my powders before I measure and I do not compress.     

Superharmonix  -  I will have to go back and look hard at some of my Hi - lites.  You and Ctom may very well be right about a more homogeneous mixture.  It seemed to me that the pearl aspect did cloud the entire bait but the fine shimmer was more concentrated on the outside of the bait.  Much like the Lumina pigments. 

[ctom]

I use a popsicle stick and lift just the very tip of it with the hi lites. This stuff is like nitro glycerin...a little does an awful lot.

[szuloaga]

All this information is awesome! Thank you guys who are experienced with the High-Lites for sharing as much as you have so far. So, from this sound of it, I can get away with getting 2 colors of the High-Lites in the 2oz container and have more than enough. So, the tip of a popsicle stick sounds like a good method to use.

How and when do you add this stuff tho? Do you add it like you do color after you heat it or before you heat it? Thank you!!

[pjmcla]

It can be added either before or after heating.  Until I had my formula down pat; I would add it after heating in small increments.  It will fool you with it's effect "in the cup".  You need to shoot a bait and look at it outside; or in direct sun and in light shade to get it's effect.  Also, what looks "just right" in a small fry, may not in a  3.5 inch carrot.    I use the tip edge of a knife blade for "minor adjustments" for these; and glitters; as well.