Floating Baits

[BassDetective]

Hi There - new to pouring and new to the forum.  I have read many of the post already and thank you all for sharing.  Your work gives me hope and encouragement. 

My question is what is the best way to make a floating snake.  I have a BassTackle mold and it pours great.  I have been using other plastic from Lurecraft and Alumilite.  I just ordered up some CC - can't wait!  I have some microballoons from Alumilite but it doesn't seem to work.  The baits float without hooks but sink with the hooks even after adding the microballoons?

Is there another brand that is better easier to work with?

[Mick]

I've never used micro bubbles but read somewhere (on here maybe?) that you need to add almost a 1/1 ratio of microbubbles to your plastisol to get it to float with a hook in it.

I've had an idea of making baits float by making a hollow chamber inside with a removeable rod inside the mold. That after you inject you could seal by dipping

regards mick

[andrewlamberson]

My 6" Carrots and 5" stick baits made with CC plastic float...without a hook. In fact I retrieved my 6" Carrot twice last night after a bass threw it off the hook while landing the fish!

They have a slightly neutral (very slow sink) with a hook.

The make walleye jig heads that float... or even better there are floating bullet "sinkers' called Betts® Carolina Floater...try rigging it backward...so it pops! It's a killer in the weeds. I Texas rig my worms with a Betts Carolina Floater backwards (for the pop) and fish the slop. I crazy glue the head to the worm so it doesn't move (insert the tip into the worm a bit)

 Drives the largemouth and northern pike crazy. But, it's so light you have to throw it with a spinning rod!

[BassDetective]

Thanks for the reply(s).  I am aware that the stuff can be hazardous and do take precautions.  I really do want to get this bait to stay high in the water column (from surface to 2 inches) on a real slow erratic retrieve.

[Jason]

If you are retrieving your bait it will stay pretty close to the top without the bubbles. 

If you do use them (disclaimer: not a good idea), I would dedicate a container and some plastic to it and mix up a batch outside with the proper safety gear.  Then you will have it when you need it and not be constantly exposing yourself to the powder.  Once they are in the plastic they aren't nearly the threat as when they are in the powder form.

[ghostbaits]

I use them and have for a while. 1:1 almost to get anything to float well. Don't mix them into raw plastisol, only cooked stuff.

It will make your baits extremely tough as you probably have noticed and you loose most, if not all, of the action in the bait.

I have seen where they use a small cork on the line in front of a bait before and the cork is cut out to spit or cause a bubbleing like a Chug Bug. Highly effective technique with a Wutz-It or carrot behind it....

Don't tell anyone I gave this out!!!!!       

Jim

[andrewlamberson]

I use the cork trick also....but I prefer Scotch bottle corks....others prefer Wine bottle corks! I suppose down south you'll have to find a Bourbon that using real cork (that will be a tough one!!

The problem is....if you haven't been saving your corks...do you quickly consume the bottle of scotch for the cork.... Or......??
 

Seriously though...you can also go to Walmart and buy a $1.00 pair of shower shoes (beach flip-flops) and use a punch to drill out a cylinder. Or buy the material from a fly tying supplier like:

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/bug-popper-bodies/620730.aspx

I've been "tying" my bass bugs from shower shoes for over 30 years!

Check this out site out for all sorts of stuff!! Sleazy Steve's (he's a actually a great guy!)

Check out the brass cutters!!

http://www.jvlnet.com/~swinters/

I still think the Scotch idea is better!

[BassDetective]

All good ideas much appreciated.  I agree the baits when worked will stay in the upper water column - for summer this is good.  I am already thinking ahead to next spring

[Vodkaman]

For corks, try homebrew and wine making suppliers.

Dave

[ghostbaits]

I use the cork trick also....but I prefer Scotch bottle corks....others prefer Wine bottle corks! I suppose down south you'll have to find a Bourbon that using real cork (that will be a tough one!!

The problem is....if you haven't been saving your corks...do you quickly consume the bottle of scotch for the cork.... Or......??
 

Seriously though...you can also go to Walmart and buy a $1.00 pair of shower shoes (beach flip-flops) and use a punch to drill out a cylinder. Or buy the material from a fly tying supplier like:

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/bug-popper-bodies/620730.aspx

I've been "tying" my bass bugs from shower shoes for over 30 years!

Check this out site out for all sorts of stuff!! Sleazy Steve's (he's a actually a great guy!)

Check out the brass cutters!!

http://www.jvlnet.com/~swinters/

I still think the Scotch idea is better!

Thanks!!!!!

Jim