Bassmaster2 <sky1...@skynet.be> wrote in message
news:8i5nss$4j$1...@news0.skynet.be...
To make minnow baits, mix some plaster of Paris, pour it in a pan, and press
some real minnows down into the soft plaster. After it dries, remove the
minnows and . . . voila! Minnow molds. Sure, one side is flat -- but fish
don't really mind that. The one-sided baits move through the water just as
well as two-sided minnow lures. Take a look at baits like the Sluggo, and
you'll agree that shape, not texture, is the key factor. You can buy liquid
plastic compounds, or you can save all your used, torn baits in a bag and
melt them all down to remold them into new baits.
This process works just fine with real crayfish (crawdads), worms, and
nightcrawlers -- just make sure they're dead before you use them as models.
I suppose you could use other plastic baits to make the mold impressions,
too.
If you really want realistic-looking baits (molded on both sides), then just
press the originals down about half way into the plaster. Press two thin
tubes or sections of coathanger wire into the plaster for each bait. Make
sure that one end of each wire hangs off the edge of the pan and the other
contacts the bait model. One wire will form the fill tube, and the other
will be a channel for air t7o vent as the cavity is filled with plastic
later on.
Let the plaster harden, then apply a coat of petroleum jelly to the entire
surface, including the minnow/crawdad/crawler/whatever. Pour plaster into a
second pan, then press the first face-down onto the second pan. When it
hardens, separate the two plaster panels, remove the tube/wire and baits,
and you'll have two-sided molds. With the two panels held together with
strong rubber bands, gouge out a funnel-shaped opening for each of the fill
tubes, and you're ready to start making baits.
Spray the panels with cooking oil so the finished baits don't adhere to the
plaster molds. Pour melted plastic into each fill tube until it starts
emerging from the vent hole. Let them stand awhile so the plastic can
harden. Pry the panels apart, and remove the baits.
TNBass >")))><