My first pour came out really soft

[emeryj]

I broke out my 5-1/4" T stik kit last night and made my first batch.
I read every post that I could find in regards to recipes. I started out a little cheaper than buying a microwave. I spent $36 at Wal-Mart on a hot plate, stainless steel pan, measuring cups and thermometers.
This is how I started out: I followed how too off of one of the posts.
1 cup plastic
1/4 cup softener
maybe a teaspoon of worm oil (I think this is where I went wrong)
I first started out with no color or salt just to see what the plastic would look like and if I was going to burn it.

I heated very slowly, at least 20 minutes until it got up to 300 degrees F
The pour out of the mold was like a wet noodle even after it cooled completely, way too soft. If I held it like it was wacky rigged the two ends would touch.
I am using a Senko for comparison and trying to achieve the same "flex"

So I figured maybe the salt made the difference. I remelted the first couple of worms and started to notice some discoloration do to burning, I think from the sides of the pan, I never got above 300 degrees.

I added 1/4 cup of salt, and another 1/4 cup of plastic, plus this time color and glitter.
The results were better but still too soft.

Remelted and added another 1/4 cup of plastic and some more color.
Result still a little better but sides still almost touch when held in the middle.

Remelted again, added another 1/2 cup of plastic and 1/4 cup of salt and color.
by now, my pot is 75% full and received decent results, but still softer than the Senko.

I had great result with color, I poured aproximately 30 stiks in a sand green with gold

then added more watermelon and got 20 stiks of a wonderful dark watermelon with gold and purple flake.

I added some brown and made 12 stiks that almost matched up perfectly with a green pumkin.

My texture is very tacky (I'm guessing I could use more salt) and my stiks hang half again as much as a Senko.

The only thing I did differently, that I know of, is add the worm oil. I was thinking that worm oil is a sent additive, but know I'm wondering if it isn't some type of release agent and put way too much in.

Any help from you experienced guys out there would help.

If it matters, I'm just doing this to save money on baits, I do not plan on going into business for myself, all my money goes to tournament fees and boat payments.

I'll be back in the pole barn tomorrow to continue perfecting the plastic?

Should I start over from scratch? Or, can I remelt the stiks and salvage what I have.

By the way... This is a blast! Being an Engineer... it got my mind racing all night long, I was so excited, you would have thought I had a tournament the next morning.


Josh

[wannabefishing]

I'm by no means experienced, so i can only speak of what i've been doing.

I bought a microwave from Wally world for $50 CDN, 3 pyrexs for $10 ( 1 x1cup and 2x 2 cups)....

i mix 2oz usually (still making new colours) and i will put in:

2oz plastic
.33oz of softener

heat for 90secs

stir

heat for 3secs

add .75oz salt (sometimes less, sometimes more), then colouring 9some say to add before you heat the plastic) and then add glitter and pour

the key is the salt/softener mix... too much softener and not enough salt= supersoft.... too much salt not enough softener= super stiff....

I would say if you wanna remelt the plastic, go for it... ad a bit of salt to it, pour a bait if it's too soft add more salt, etc. etc... but remember the salt will change the colour of the plastic.

Now i'm sure that didn't answer your questions, but i haven't used a hot plate/pan yet lol

these are som eof the very first ones i've poured, have gotten much better since i first started..... and i still have yet to catch anything on them, tho i've only used them 5 times, being boatless sucks lol

http://home.cogeco.ca/~wannabefishing/Baits/

have fun :)

[rxfish]

I'd definitely cut back on the softner to start. Its always easier to add than to take away. The plastic I use is super soft to start with, but I have added softner to it and could tie the bait in a knot. And the salt is going to stiffen it some. Key I've found is to keep the salt suspended in the plastic as much as possible. Stir the crap out of it, pour a couple holes and stir again.

[ol' big]

get rid of the worm oil in it. you should put this in the bag so they don't stick together not actually in the mix. also, when you put salt in, they will stiffen up alot. I use the mixture your talking about and they will come out a little softer than the Yamamoto Senko but they move around twice as much. Also, try blending the salt into a powder. I do this and they not only seem more durable but even softer! softer and more durable, can't beat that. I can usually catch about 3 fish on each one, with a senko, i'm lucky to get two. hope it helps.

[emeryj]

Thank you all for your comments.

Here's what's happened since yesterday's post, after work, I bowled a 173, 178 and 181.
Then I went home and with the intent on doing something different with the plastic, I found that even though the plastic was cooled down the night before, it seems like the stiks had "set-up" and were almost exactly what I was trying to achieve.

I did learn something else, don't just throw them in the box. Keep em straight and let them set over night before storing them.

Ultimately, I had a bunch of stiks that were all crooked. So... I remelted them... added more salt and more color and this morning I have what I would call a very good first batch. I brought them to work with me this morning and have recieved some very good feedback from some of the other fisherman here.

Now of course, all these guys want to know what other colors I have and how much.

I am really liking the hot plate method, now that I have gotten over my fear of burning the plastic.

I also found out... the slower you pour, the better the product.

Wannabefishing I looked at your pics. those are some nice looking baits.

[emeryj]

You mean worm oil isn't for sent enhancement?
Is there an award for being an idiot?
If so... I've got it.

I know that now, AprilW sent me a private message telling me that.
I think it was to eliminate the embarrasment.

All I can say is... I didn't know.... the kit was a gift, and it didn't say what it was in the instructions.

There's a good joke in here somewhere... I'll figure it out... sometime after I'm done cracking up!

Thanks again for your help

Josh

[Delw]

Emeryj

Worm oil is generally used for oiling the worms before they are put into the bag, It gives them a life look and feel( its a selling point)

When I first started pouring I just poured the plastic in a mold and waited, I thought it was odd that I didnt get the hardener part to make it cure( like epoxy)

The hot plate is the only way to go. Ive been doing that for a little while now and my baits come out much clearer and brighter.

The microwave is a good deal but I am thinking now it doesnt cook the plastic enough.
You know kinda like have a baked potato vs one in the micro wave, the thing just isnt right even though its cooked.
Delw

[jmik26]

May sound stupid but, did you shake up the plastic well before measuring? I made this mistake my first pour, they were so soft they stuck to whatever you set them on. I have a 7” stik mold and I follow this procedure:
1. 1 cup of soft plastic.
2. Heat in microwave for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes in pyrex cup.
3. Stir in ¼ cup of salt.
4. Heat in microwave for 45 seconds.
5. Stir in glitter and adjust color to recipe.
6. Heat in microwave for 30 seconds.
7. Stir and pour worms.
8. I reheat for 20-45 seconds ever 3 worms.
Hope this helps you out…….jmik26

[emeryj]

Actually... I did not shake the plastic up well the first time. I kept reading about bubbles in the plastic and was trying to be very careful. I have since found out that the bubbles will come out once it gets hot enough.

Thank you for your reply,

Josh