Chloe Zhang
Floating soft plastic lures are a popular choice for fishing enthusiasts. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours, and textures, and can be used to mimic a range of forage species. Floating vinyl plastisol, for example, can be used to make any style of bait float. It comes in liquid form and must be heated to about 325 degrees and allowed to cool to become solid. Some popular floating plastic lures include the Z Man TRD, the Yamamoto 3 Ned Senko, and the Strike King finesse worms in Elaztec.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic lures float in water | Yes |
| Plastic lures come in different forms | Floating or sinking |
| Floating lures are made from | Floating vinyl plastisol |
| Floating lures are used for | Making any style of bait |
| Floating lures are used with | Injection and hand pour molds |
| Floating lures are used for | Drop shot or finesse baits |
| Floating lures are available in | Different shapes, sizes, colors, and textures |
| Floating lures can be | Rigged on different types of hooks |
| Floating lures can be used to mimic | Frogs, baitfish, worms, lizards, and insects |
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What You'll Learn
Floating lures can be made from liquid soft plastic
To begin making floating lures, you will need liquid plastic, which can be purchased with varying levels of hardness depending on your desired application. For example, a worm or slug lure will require a softer plastic, while a shad lure will need a firmer plastic. You can also customise the hardness of the liquid plastic by adding softener or hardener (around 10-20%). These additives must be mixed into the liquid before heating.
Before heating the liquid plastic, ensure that it is well combined by shaking the bottle vigorously for a couple of minutes. If there is still some material stuck to the bottom of the bottle, carefully push the edges of the bottom inwards to release it. Once the liquid plastic is ready, pour some into a microwave jug and begin heating. The amount of time this takes will depend on the power of your microwave and the amount of plastic being heated. Take your time with this step, as heating the plastic too quickly will cause it to burn and turn yellow. The liquid plastic should be heated to around 170°C, at which point it will become a clear and slightly thicker liquid.
After heating, you can add colour and glitter to the hot plastic. Only use a few drops of liquid colour at a time, as the colours are highly concentrated. The more you add, the more opaque the plastic will become. If you want a translucent colour, add a few drops before heating the plastic. Fluorescent colours must be added this way as well. You can also experiment with mixing colours to create unique shades. When adding glitter, make sure to use heat-resistant glitter, as regular craft glitter will shrink and bleed colour into the plastic.
Once you are happy with the colour and glitter, it is time to pour the liquid plastic into your mould. Common mould materials include plaster, resin, silicone, and aluminium. Before pouring, make sure the mould is warm, especially if it is made of plaster, as pouring hot plastic into a cold mould can cause it to crack. Pour the liquid plastic carefully and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before removing the lure from the mould. It is best to let it cool down completely to avoid distorting the shape of the lure and to prevent burns.
With these steps, you can create your own floating lures from liquid soft plastic, customised to your desired colour and level of hardness.
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Floating lures can be made to resemble frogs, baitfish, worms, lizards, and insects
Floating lures can be designed to mimic the movement of specific creatures, such as frogs, baitfish, worms, lizards, and insects, to attract and deceive a variety of fish species. These lures are made from soft plastic or vinyl plastisol, which can be heated, moulded, and customised with colours and glitter to create realistic textures and versatile presentations.
Soft plastic frog lures, for instance, are designed to float on the water's surface and create a unique, violent noise and an impressive bubble trail, enhancing their resemblance to a real frog. Similarly, floating lizard lures are designed to move like a real lizard or snake, enticing predator fish to the line.
Plastic worms are another popular floating lure, designed to mimic the appearance and movement of real worms. They can be rigged in various ways, such as the Texas rig or the Carolina rig, to create natural presentations and maximise the chances of catching fish. Anglers can also choose to make just the worm's tail float, creating a unique presentation.
Stick baits are long and slender lures that resemble small baitfish and can be rigged weightlessly or on a jig head. These lures are effective in both freshwater and saltwater fishing, attracting a wide range of fish species, including bass, trout, and pike.
Bug baits, designed to mimic insects, are also effective floating lures, especially for ice fishing. These lures can be fished under a float or on small jigs, imitating the movements of crickets, small larvae, hellgrammites, nymphs, and other attractor lures.
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Some plastic lures float better after being boiled in water
Some plastic lures are designed to float, while others are designed to sink. Floating lures are made from a type of plastic called vinyl plastisol, which comes in liquid form and must be heated to about 325 degrees Fahrenheit and then allowed to cool to become solid. This process results in a lure that will float in the water.
However, not all plastic lures are created equal, and some anglers have found that boiling their lures in water can improve their floating ability. This is because the heat from the boiling water can soften the plastic, making the lure more buoyant. Additionally, boiling the lure can also remove any memory it may have, allowing it to take on a new shape as it cools. For example, if a lure has a bent tail, boiling it in water can soften the plastic, giving the tail more action and improving its performance in the water.
It is important to note that not all plastic lures will float after being boiled, and the effectiveness of this method may vary depending on the type of plastic and the design of the lure. Some anglers have reported success with this technique, while others have found that their lures still sink. It is always a good idea to test the floating ability of your lures before using them, to ensure they are performing as expected.
Additionally, it is worth noting that boiling plastic lures can affect their durability. The heat can change the composition of the plastic, making it softer and more susceptible to damage. Therefore, it is recommended to use an old pan specifically for boiling lures, as the melting plastic may make it unsuitable for cooking.
Overall, while boiling plastic lures in water may improve their floating ability, it is not a guaranteed solution. Anglers should experiment with different techniques and lure designs to find the best floating lures for their needs.
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Floating lures can be made from Floating Vinyl plastisol
The lures made from Floating Vinyl plastisol will float in water. The plastisol can be used with injection and hand pour molds to make the whole worm float or just the tails/pinchers. This product is ideal for drop shot or finesse baits but can be used for any style of bait. The baits will cure crystal clear, which allows for great customization when adding colors and glitter.
The floating additive in the plastisol will cause some milk appearance to the resin. While this is typically not enough for the lure to float when rigged, it is excellent for slowing the lure's fall. If you are looking for a lure that sinks faster, you can use a heavy resin with a density modifier or an X-heavy resin with a large amount of density modifier.
There are a variety of plastic baits available that float, such as the Z Man TRD, the Yamamoto 3" Ned Senko, and the Strike King finesse worms in Elaztec. Additionally, most baits will float if you boil them in hot water, and they will become softer. However, it is important to lay them straight and flat when removing them from the water to avoid adding memory to them as they cool.
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Floating lures can be made to float by adding salt
Plastic fishing lures can be designed to float or sink, depending on the type of fishing they are used for. Floating lures are designed to operate on the surface of the water, while sinking lures operate subsurface. Some lures are also designed to suspend in the water, remaining at a constant depth.
To make plastic lures float, one can use a product called Floating Vinyl plastisol. This product comes in liquid form and must be heated to about 325°F to become solid. The liquid plastisol can be used to make the entire lure float or just specific parts, such as the tails or pinchers. It is ideal for drop shot or finesse baits but can be used for any type of bait to create a different presentation.
Another way to make plastic lures float is by adding salt to them. Some lures, such as the Z Man TRD and the Yamamoto 3" Ned Senko, are designed to float by adding salt, which makes them more neutrally buoyant. However, stretching and rubbing the lure can cause the salt to come out, affecting its buoyancy.
It is also possible to make plastic lures float by boiling them in water. This method makes the lures softer and can also be used to remove memory from old soft swimbaits. However, it is important to note that boiling the lures for too long can affect their buoyancy.
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Frequently asked questions
No, not all plastic lures float in water. Floating lures are typically made with vinyl plastisol, which must be heated to about 325 degrees and allowed to cool to become solid.
You can make your plastic lures float by boiling them in hot water. This method also makes them softer.
Some floating plastic lures include the Z Man TRD, the Yamamoto 3" Ned Senko, and the Strike King finesse worms in Elaztec.
Some plastic lures that don't float include the Robo Worms, the Zero/Zinker from Strike King, and the Zoom Trick worms.
