Sealing 3D eyes

[MonteSS]

What is the best way to seal eyes on a 4.5" swimbait?



Thanks....Bill

[kipbass]

Have you tried dipping the bait in hot clear plastic, slightly past the eyes? I suppose it may ruin the mouth with a build up of plastic...

[ctom]

I heated up clear plastic to about 360 degrees and dipped the 3d eyes I put on some 1.75" shads. To help keep the plastic warm longer I took a wadded up towel and made a pocket in it using the empty pyrex bowl I use for plastic. I filled the bowl with enough to dip the bait, brought it to temperature and set it back in that hollow in the towel and it stayed warm long enough to dip around 50 of the shads.

As I dipped, I'd touch the tip of the shd to the rim of the glass and then it would get slipped straight down into a bowl of cool water. The plastic set as soon as it hit the water and they wouldn't adhere to one another. After I finished the shad came out of the water and onto a curing tray. Works slick, just be careful to keep the water away from the plastic and have all the eyes on the plastic before you heat the dip. Keep an extra towel handy to tap your fingers on if they get wet.

[bribass]

if u dont want to dip try this... Loctite plastic adhesive

i havent used it personally but a buddy of mine said he uses it and works good

[MonteSS]

Can I dip just the head or the whole bait?

Thanks....Bill

[bribass]

you can do both and see which one u think turns out better, its all personal preference, but personally with the bait u are using to do it... u will lose almost all the detail on it when u dip it

[Muskygary]

Better to just dip the head. Won't lose any action on the bait and gives you a thicker bait where you insert the hook.

[Jason]

Definitely just the head.  I'm sure it varies by bait, but besides impacting the action, smaller appendages will just melt. 

[firetiger]

Cool little swimbait!

[ghostbaits]

For this bait, I think you will want to go with adhesive. Unless you are just using for yourself. Dipping will alter the look a bit but I doubt the action much, if any.

In my experience, as long as you coat the inside of the eye cavity good with loctite or super glue GEL version (and others I am sure), the eye will stick and hold up.

If you are using M-F plastic, the eye cannot touch the plastic anywhere or it will end up a gooey mess. I have not tested CCM long enough but so far, the eyes just get a little gooey if put directly on the plastic.

Swirl the glue well on the sides and bottom of the eye socket, stick in your eye and you will be good to go.

Jim

[ghostbaits]

These are made from CCM medium. No affect to eyes to date. I looked at the glue I am using... Krazy Glue Brush-On.... If I dip over the eyes, the bait does not perform as it should....



Jim

[bribass]

Jim,

Thank you very much for posting this info! Really helps out!  

ganna have to give that stuff a try!

Do you mind sharing where you are getting those eyes from?

[ghostbaits]

Caney creek eyes.

Jim

[MonteSS]

Thanks all. I will try the glue first as it seems easiest.

Which shad is that Ghost? Does it need a weighted keel hook? Is it a line twister if fished weightless?

...Bill

[ghostbaits]

Bill:

It is the shad from Basstackle. You should use a weighted hook. I have not fished it but have tested in the pool. Without a weight, the bait has a slooooow glide to the bottom. Doubt it will be very effective that way but who knows.

It is meant to be fished by somewhat like a spoon I gather. Cast it out and let it fall but monitor you line for the weight of a fish or line movement indicating a strike.

I plan on using it for bed fishing myself, might even drop shot it in beds....

Jim