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How to Make Rubber Fishing Lures

How to Make Rubber Fishing Lures

Brian M. Kelly photo

Rubber, or soft plastic, fishing lures are a popular choice for anglers pursuing bass, walleyes and trout. These baits come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet the needs of anglers across the country. But anglers can also craft their own soft plastic lures in order to produce a custom bait that uniquely theirs and can be just the ticket to catch a trophy fish. No matter what type of soft plastic bait you are interested in making, their is a mold to make you perfect lure. Read on to learn how to make your own soft plastic fishing lure.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Molding the Bait

Things You’ll Need:
  • Plastisol, mold, injector, mixing cup, non-stick cooking spray, goggles, work gloves.
  • Plastisol, mold, injector, mixing cup, non-stick cooking spray, goggles, work gloves.
Step 1
Begin by pouring 1/2 cup of liquid Plastisol into a measuring cup and heating in the microwave for 1 minute, then stirring and heating again for another 1 to 2 minutes. The plastic is ready when it becomes thick and clear like syrup.
Step 2
Once the liquid plastic is hot, be sure to spray the inside of the molds with non-stick cooking spray so the baits will come out cleanly after cooling.
Step 3
Next, put the mold together in preparation for the soft plastic injection. Make sure both pieces are aligned and together tightly before injecting the hot plastic.
Step 4
Spray the inside of the nozzle and reservoir of the injector with non-stick cooking spray to insure the hot plastic does not stick. Then fill the reservoir with the hot liquid plastic and put the plunger in place.
Step 5
The finished product
The finished product
Using the work gloves to protect your hands, place the injector nozzle into the mold and push down slowly until the entire mold is full. Remove the injector and stand the mold upright to allow the plastic to cool. After a few minutes, remove the bait from the mold, trim the excess and you have a bait that is ready to catch fish!

Tips & Warnings

 
Add sparkles to the plastic when it is in hot liquid form and stir in evenly. This will add some extra attraction to your new lure.
 
Do not mix liquid with the hot plastic as this will cause it to splatter and could cause burns.

Resources

Article Written By Brian M. Kelly

Brian M. Kelly has been freelance writing since 2003. His work has been published in respected outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life, Great Lakes Angler and Salmon Trout Steelheader. He holds an associate's degree in automated machine design from Macomb College.

Write for Trails.com

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