Uninitiated no longer

[fasteddyc]

It's several weeks since I received my plastisol and gear from Jason and also one day short of 5 weeks since my total knee replacement. As I'm starting to hobble around a bit better decided to start making some 3 inch skinny carrots in anticipation of my annual spring perch outing on Lake Simcoe, which is about a half hour from home. Think I made every mistake possible....., too much x2 color, clamps not on properly, not enough plastic in the Pyrex for what I wanted to do.....etc. etc. All in all however I ended the initial batch yielded usable if not perfect baits and like the fish they are intended to catch, I'm HOOKED.......Now the plans begin....have to reconfigure my basement fishing room (giant mess), install a fume hood and do a y link to the gas dryer vent pipe, need more colors and eyes and glitter and medium plastic and several other molds, and more clamps, and a better mask......sure it'll never end but I'm happy. Spring's right around the corner right? By the way I've enjoyed reading the forum over the last few weeks of my recovery...it kept my spirits up knowing that I'll be able to fish again soon and with my own baits. 

[pjmcla]

Welcome to the wonderful world of injecting baits.  Just remember the first rule is SAFETY.  Take your time.  We are all in a learning stage. 
Hope the rehab on the knee goes well.

[t-billy]

Welcome to the wonderful world of injecting baits.  Just remember the first rule is SAFETY.  Take your time.  We are all in a learning stage. 
Hope the rehab on the knee goes well.

^ X2.  Welcome aboard. This forum is a great resource for new and experienced baitmakers alike.

[ctom]

Welcome to the wonderful world of injecting baits. Just remember the first rule is SAFETY.  Take your time.  We are all in a learning stage. 
Hope the rehab on the knee goes well.

Good advice here.

It sounds about like my first couple of ventures into this oftentimes wacky world of plastics injection. Don't fret...you're in good company. We've all been right where you're at.

In addition to what pjm says, I say practice, practice, practice.

[jl3140]

Good advice here.

It sounds about like my first couple of ventures into this oftentimes wacky world of plastics injection. Don't fret...you're in good company. We've all been right where you're at.

In addition to what pjm says, I say practice, practice, practice.

In addition to that, if the plastic gets too hot and burns, you can always change it into brown or black LOL! That's what I do 

[fasteddyc]

Thanks to all for the advice and encouragement. Lots of time to practice. No hardwater fishing for me this winter, but already dreaming about getting the boat out of storage.....and producing a whole lot of my own plastic baits.. Thanks in advance for the help I know I'm going to get from the fine members of this forum, have already read a lot of great tips and advice. As for the brown or black baits from overheated plastic.... Yup....got some already.  Lol

[BareKnuckleJigs]

It's good to see the ball rolling for You, Mr. Eddy!  Speaking of Brown and Black from Yellowed Plastic and/or Scraps...we discussed Leeches awhile back.  One of the better renditions of a Leech seemed to be from a half-mold Glider, with a few other fine ideas.

Sitting here thinking about some Cold Weather Sacalait Fishin', and considering all the Scraps I've amassed...I'm going to shoot a pile of Leeches when I get home.  I'll be half-molding 2.5" Carrots, 3" Skinny Carrots, 3.5" Regular Carrots and 3" Gliders for an array of Leech imitations.  I'm planning on Drop Shot'n and Recoil Rigging these this winter, soon.

While there are other methods, I find that the Laminate Plates are best for shooting half-mold baits.

[t-billy]

 Ha! I was just thinking about hand pouring some 1/2 4"and 7" carrots last night to imitate leeches BKJ. If I like them maybe I'll buy the Lami plates. Ok thread hijack over. Sorry bout that fasteddyc.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Awesome on'nat, T-Billy!  The LP's make a very clean half-mold bait!  Just warm up the plate like everything else, because You'll be shooting Half Thickness.

I brought a bunch of scraps to work with me, been getting them cut up pretty small.  These are in CCM "Hard" so I'll have to add a good hit of Softener then Stabilizer, and a strong hit of Black...although I won't go absolutely solid Black, so I let some of the already-existing Pearl show.  I think the 2.5" Carrot half-mold will be an absolute Killer for Sacalait (Crappie), and I'll throw the 3" Skinny to maybe aim at some bigger fish, depending on my Thought Process when the time comes.  I'll apply the 3.5" and Glider Leeches elsewhere, but surely shoot them at the same time.  I KNEW I should've brought the equipment to work.  Save them scraps!  If You run a business and don't want to save them for Yourself, You may could give or sell them!

[fasteddyc]

Great tip re the half pour baits. As for leeches, while black is the prevalent color I purchase live leeches that are more dark brown from time to time. Dark Brown with some black flecks would be a good representation and making it in soft plastic would give the bait great undulating flexibility in the water. Preference would be to drop shot a bait like this on a 4 or 6 circle hook. Then when the smallish hits the fight is on.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

Thank YOU, FastEddyC, Sir!  Maybe THAT's why my "Dark Tadpole" color got bit the way it did...some Leeches are dark Brown...I didn't know that.  Note taken (rubs hands together, reaches for notebook)...