Trailers and recycling soft plastic baits

[scaleface]

Heres the plan . I want to reuse the soft plastic baits I  accumulate . So I'm going to get some sort of  jig trailer , lay them flat in a container , pour plaster of Paris over it to make a mold . Melt the worms and pour them in . I need trailers that are perfectly flat on one side . What are your favorite trailers that meet the criteria ?  

[Bankc]

Try Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty instead of plaster of Paris.  It's stronger, will last longer, and will preserve more detail.  You'll still need to seal it.  But it works a lot better and is still readily available in local hardware stores.

 

I don't think you'll find a whole lot in the commercial sector in the way of flat sided plastics.  It's easier to do injection molding on a mass scale, and it makes them look like they're a higher quality product when they're finished on all sides.  But many plastics, like swimbaits and craws, will do just fine if you leave one side flat.  If you look up some pourable molds, you'll get an idea of what's possible.  

[Kev-mo]

I don’t have an answer for you but can send you my used plastics if you want

[scaleface]

10 minutes ago, Bankc said:

Try Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty instead of plaster of Paris.  It's stronger, will last longer, and will preserve more detail.  You'll still need to seal it.  But it works a lot better and is still readily available in local hardware stores.

 

I don't think you'll find a whole lot in the commercial sector in the way of flat sided plastics.  It's easier to do injection molding on a mass scale, and it makes them look like they're a higher quality product when they're finished on all sides.  But many plastics, like swimbaits and craws, will do just fine if you leave one side flat.  If you look up some pourable molds, you'll get an idea of what's possible.  

I'm not investing any money into the project . Just going to melt some plastics and pour them in . I might get creative and make my own with a small block of wood and cut the tails off double tail grubs . Lay them down touching each other pour the Plaster over the top . 

[Bankc]

3 hours ago, scaleface said:

I'm not investing any money into the project . Just going to melt some plastics and pour them in . I might get creative and make my own with a small block of wood and cut the tails off double tail grubs . Lay them down touching each other pour the Plaster over the top . 

I was just suggesting to look at open pour molds for ideas on what can be done and how it's done.  No need to go out and buy those.  Not for an open pour mold, anyway.  If you're going to invest money into premade molds, I'd suggest going the injection route.  

 

As some examples for baits to try, you could pour a 6" zoom lizard.  They're really flat on the bottom.  Not perfectly flat, like what you'd find at the store.  But flat enough that if you made a mold, and used some release, you could probably pour one and still be able to slip it out.  Same with something like a Berkley Powerbait the Champ Swimmer, only leave the top flat.  

 

And the Durham's Water Putty is probably cheaper than the Plaster of Paris.  16 oz. bottles are like $2.  If you've already bought the PoP, then go ahead and use it.  It'll work.  It just doesn't do detail as well and is more prone to cracking.  

[Jig Man]

I have made lots of open pour molds using Bondo fiberglass resin.  My first one was a split tail trailer.  I use double sided Scotch tape and a plastic box that has a flat inside.  I cover the inside floor with the tape and stick the baits down.  I mix up the Bondo and pour it over the baits.  Be sure to spray the baits with oil before pouring the bondo.

[scaleface]

I've made plaster of paris worm molds before . I figure a flat jig trailer would be simple and a way to recycle some soft plastics . Fine details are of no concern . A trailer that would aid in jig   skipping  is what I'm shooting for .

[GRiver]

I do some thing like that. I same all my plastic, use what I can for trailers. Mostly it’s the end of a curly tailed worm. Then after they are trashed I save them and melt them down and I’ve got a couple open pour molds my friend gave me. And it starts all over again.
I get some funky colors and I never really catch any thing off them, but it’s fun. 

[Kenny Yi]

make an endless supply of zoom super chunks, maybe carve out the mold a little to create bigger body for threading on the hook

[scaleface]

5 hours ago, Kenny Yi said:

make an endless supply of zoom super chunks, maybe carve out the mold a little to create bigger body for threading on the hook

Yeah ,I was looking at those . Whatever I get will have to be ordered because there are  no trailers with a flat side  being sold close by .

[Jigfishn10]

I'll be using Fat Cow jig strips this season. Can't get any flatter than that.

[Mobasser]

Sounds like a good idea. I'm sure you remember our old favourite Guido Bug was originally made with a live craw and plaster paris mold. Guido's son Dion made this for a high school science class.

[scaleface]

1 hour ago, Mobasser said:

Sounds like a good idea. I'm sure you remember our old favourite Guido Bug was originally made with a live craw and plaster paris mold. Guido's son Dion made this for a high school science class.

I have some Guido bugs , that might be the way to go . Thanks for the reminder .