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How to Melt Plastic Fishing Worms to Make New Ones

How to Melt Plastic Fishing Worms to Make New Ones

fishing worms image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com

Purchasing new fishing worms can become expensive, especially if you are an avid angler. Plastic worms can rip or tear apart, making them useless. Instead of tossing them, store the useless worms in a plastic bag. The process of melting your old plastic worms to create new ones is relatively easy. You will save money and have pride in knowing you are fishing with your own homemade lures. Before you know it, you will be reeling in fish attracted by your used, homemade plastic worms.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Burner
  • Pouring pan
  • Popsicle stick
  • Hardener
  • Softener
  • Glitter
  • Worm mold
  • Paper towel
  • Water
  • Plastic container
  • Plastic bag
  • Worm oil
Step 1
Set up your work area before you begin melting the old worms so you have everything required in one place. Gather together the burner, worm mold, pouring pan and all the other supplies.
Step 2
Turn on a burner to low heat to melt the worms, because it is not required or recommended to use high heat.
Step 3
Remove any hooks or other attachments from the used worms before placing them into the pouring pan.
Step 4
Place the worms into the pouring pan and place the pan onto the burner. Slowly allow the worms to melt, stirring the mixture with a wooden Popsicle stick if necessary to blend the worms together as they melt. The mixture should melt to the consistency of syrup.
Step 5
Add a teaspoon of hardener or softener to the melted worm mixture if it is too thin or thick and stir. Continue adding a little hardener or softener until you get the desired syrupy texture.
Step 6
Sprinkle in a little glitter if you desire your used melted worms to have more glitter and stir well.
Step 7
Pour the melted worms into the mold, filling the mold completely with the melted plastic. Wipe away spilled or excess plastic from the sides of the worm mold with a paper towel.
Step 8
Allow the plastic worms to cool inside of the mold for approximately five to 10 minutes. Carefully pull the worms out of the worm mold and place them into a container of cool water to finish the cooling process.
Step 9
Remove the worms from the container of water and place them on a paper towel to completely dry. Place the dried worms inside of a plastic bag, adding a few drops of worm oil to keep the worms from sticking together.

Tips & Warnings

 
Always store your plastic fishing worms in a plastic bag with worm oil and out of direct sunlight or heat, which can cause them to deteriorate quicker.
 
When making your worms, be sure the work area has good air circulation, because the fumes can be toxic.

Article Written By Joyce Starr

Joyce Starr is a professional writer from Florida and owns a landscaping company and garden center. She has published articles about camping in Florida, lawn care and gardening and writes for a local gardening newsletter. She shares her love and knowledge of the outdoors and nature through her writing.

Write for Trails.com

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