Thinking About Trying To Make Some Tackle

[dpeels37354]

Should I go for it? Any good videos you all could point me towards? I'm looking to maybe start making some bullet weights and soft plastic baits.

[Jig Man]

Those are two different ends of the spectrum that need totally different equipment. 

 

You can't ever make enough bullet weights to offset the cost of a lead melting pot. 

 

For plastics you need a dedicated microwave, pyrex or nor por cups or some hot plates and dedicated melting pans.  Then you need a mold, some colorant, plastisol, gloves, and goggles.  The list goes on and on but you can get started with just this.

 

If you are doing it to save money DON'T because it won't.  If you are looking for a hobby then by all means jump in but I'll warn you in advance whether wire baits, soft baits or hard baits there is no end and it can become an expensive hobby.  My first injected tube cost me over $300.  Slowly the cost is coming down but it will take a long time to get down to store costs but I'm not in it to save money.  I'm in it for the pleasure of catching fish on stuff I make that no one else has.

[cadman]

If you are looking to learn and try your hand at making things, then I would say go for it. I can help you with some tutorials on lead pouring and jig making. If you are looking to save money by making jigs or plastics, then it is cheaper to buy what you need. If you're interested in the tutorials PM me.

[Bruce424]

Go for it dude. I buy unpainted crankbaits and paint them. I buy spinnerbait heads and build my own spinnerbaits. Jigheads too, and I have a ball. You can be so creative. I dont pour lead cuz I live in a one bedroom apt. And dont have the space to melt and pour but once I do get the space ill try to make things from scratch with pouring molds. If its money your worried about, wait til christmas and ask for giftcards to bps or cabelas etc. Where they sell pouring starter kits. Good way to start out. Melt old splitshots down. And friends if they have any unwanted lead... I dont know??

[dpeels37354]

Not really worried about the money. I just think it would be awesome to catch fish on stuff I make.

[Jig Man]

Not really worried about the money. I just think it would be awesome to catch fish on stuff I make.

It is.  I had a limit of keepers last night and they were caught on 4 different bait all of which I made.

 

My advice to you is pick something that you like to use and don't mind having lots of colors and several hundred on hand and start making them.  When you decide what you are going to make let us know and we may be able to point you in the right direction.

[dpeels37354]

I want to start making senko type soft plastics to start

[ksboy]

There's a great video on you tube on how to make the mold for Senko-type baits. He goes through the complete process from making the mold to pouring the baits. Give it a look.

[Munkin]

I want to start making senko type soft plastics to start

$20 microwave from yard sale, pawn shop, wherever?

$60 two piece hand pour aluminum mold

$3 Pyrex cup from Wal-Mart

$ plastic from wherever (Lurecraft is a good start)

$= 0 Used plastics for re-melt

 

This is as simple or  complicated as you want to make it? I have a two piece senko mold that has 2- 4" and 2- 5" cavities that I bought used for like $50 shipped. I make senkos by experimenting with colors, salt, etc. but a lot of them are just re-melts of used worms?

 

Allen