Alexei Volkov
Creating your own plastic fishing lures is a rewarding endeavour that gives you full control over design, colour, and weight. With the right materials and techniques, you can craft reusable molds and design lures tailored to your specific needs and preferences. The process begins with selecting the appropriate mold material, such as silicone, plaster, or aluminum, and creating a positive master model that will shape the interior of your mold. This master model can be crafted from wood, clay, or 3D-printed plastic, allowing for creativity and customization. The liquid mold material is then poured over the master model, and once cured, the mold is ready for casting your unique plastic fishing lures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mold material | Silicone, plaster, resin, aluminum, clay, wood |
| Mold type | One-piece, two-piece |
| Mold frame | Simple wooden craft frames with one open side |
| Master model material | Wood, modeling clay, plastic |
| Tools | Scissors, super glue, epoxy, spray paint, powder pigments, microwave, glass-measuring cup |
| Plastic type | Soft plastic, Plastisol |
| Additives | Pigment, glitter, scent, worm oil, salt |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right materials
Once you've chosen your mould material, you'll need to create a positive master model that will shape the interior of your mould. This can be made from wood, modelling clay, or 3D-printed plastic. Clay and modelling clay are excellent choices as they allow for intricate sculpting and freedom in designing the shape of your lure. When using clay, it's important to place your original model in a mould box and apply a release agent, such as Ease Release 200, to ensure the clay can be removed easily later.
The next step is to select the plastic for your lures. Soft plastics are a popular choice and can be purchased or hand-poured. If you opt for hand-pouring, Plastisol is a common choice and is available in various brands, allowing you to choose the one that suits your preferences and produces your desired results. You can also add pigments, glitter, scent, and worm oil to customise your lures and make them more enticing to fish.
Finally, you'll need a few additional tools and materials to complete your project. These include a mould box, which can be made from wood or plastic, and a stirrer, such as a stick or an old butter knife. If you're using silicone, you'll also need a mould frame to contain the liquid silicone as it sets; a simple wooden craft frame with one open side will work. Additionally, if you plan to paint your lures, you'll need paint and brushes, or you can use Cast Magic™ pearlescent powder. For a glossy finish, epoxy can be applied.
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Creating a master model
Start by deciding on the material you want to use for your master model. Common options include wood, modelling clay, or plastic for 3D printing. The material choice is not critical, as long as it can hold crisp details. If you're starting from scratch, modelling clay is a great option as it allows you to create any lure shape you can imagine.
Once you've chosen your material, begin sculpting your master model. This is where you'll need to be creative and design the shape of your fishing lure. Take your time with this step, as the more precise and detailed your master model is, the better your final product will be. Remember that you can always refer to online resources or books for inspiration and guidance.
After sculpting your master model, it's time to refine the details. Use appropriate tools to smooth out any imperfections and add the desired textures or patterns to your design. Ensure that your master model is symmetrical and balanced, as this will affect the performance of your final lure in the water.
Before finalising your master model, carefully inspect it for any flaws or areas that need improvement. Making adjustments at this stage is crucial, as it will ensure the accuracy of your mold and the functionality of your fishing lure. Remember that the master model is the foundation of your lure, so it's worth investing time and effort into getting it just right.
Once you're completely satisfied with your master model, prepare it for the mould-making process. This may involve applying a release agent or coating to ensure that your master model can be easily removed from the mould once the silicone has cured. Follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of your chosen mould-making material.
By following these steps, you'll be able to create a precise and detailed master model, which is essential for crafting high-quality fishing lures. Remember that practice and experimentation will refine your technique and allow you to create an impressive arsenal of lures tailored to your fishing needs.
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Making the mould
Making your own fishing lure moulds allows you to create custom designs and colours, modify the weight of your lures, and save money in the long run. The process begins with creating a reusable positive master model, which will shape the interior of your finished mould. This master model can be carved from wood, sculpted from modelling clay, or 3D printed from plastic.
When sculpting with clay, you can create any lure shape imaginable. Start by sculpting your original model in clay and placing it in a mould box. You can use an old Tupperware container or a disposable plastic bowl. Spray the mould box lightly with a mould release agent, such as cooking spray or a specialised product.
For the mould frame, simple wooden craft frames with one open side work perfectly. Before pouring liquid silicone into the mould frame, create your reusable positive master model. This will act as the 3D form around which the liquid silicone cures.
If you're using a two-piece mould to create a fully round bait, fill the lower half of the mould box with about 1" of liquid silicone. For a one-piece mould, fill the box about 1 1/4" thick. Try to keep as many bubbles out of the silicone as possible, as these can affect the final product.
Once the silicone has cured, cut open the mould and remove the master model. Now you have a mould that is ready for casting your plastic fishing lures.
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Customising the lure
Customising your fishing lures is a rewarding endeavour that allows you to connect with your fishing on a deeper level. Here are some ways to customise your lures:
Design and colour: Creating your own lures gives you full control over their design and colour. You can sculpt your original model from clay, carving any shape you can imagine. For colour, clear silicone works well for many lure designs, but you can also use coloured silicone in red, black, blue, etc. to make opaque lures. Additionally, you can blend unique custom colours using pigments and even add glitter to your lures.
Weight and buoyancy: Modifying the weight of your lures can improve their balance and movement in the water. You can increase the weight and adjust buoyancy by adding salt or other additives to your mix.
Scent: You can soak your lures in scented worm oil to make them more enticing to fish. Popular scents include shad, even for eel baits, as it produces excellent results.
Hooks, rings, and weedguards: Most anglers will want to upgrade their lures with hooks, rings, and weedguards. Carefully insert hook hangers in the appropriate position and secure high-quality hooks that are sized right for the lure. Super glue will hold these parts firmly in place.
Eyes and paint: You can further customise the appearance of your lures by adding eyes, applying spray paint coats, or using powder pigments. 3D holographic eyes and epoxy for a glassy protective finish are great options.
With custom-made lures, you can experiment with different designs and techniques to create effective and unique fishing lures that provide the satisfaction of catching fish with your own creations.
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Finishing and storing
Once you have removed your lure from the mould, you can finish it in a variety of ways. Firstly, trim away any excess plastic or flashing along the seam lines with sharp scissors. You can then add hooks, rings, and weedguards. Super glue will hold these new parts in place. To customise the appearance of your lure, add eyes, spray paint coats, or powder pigments. Finally, apply an epoxy coating for a glassy protective finish.
Allow your lures to sit upright for a day or two before using them, so they retain their proper shape. You can also soak them in scented worm oil to make them more enticing to fish. Shad is a good option, even for eel baits. You can also add salt to your mix to increase weight and adjust buoyancy.
In terms of storage, keep your lures away from heat, humidity, and sunlight. With proper care, silicone lure moulds can last for years.
There are a variety of materials you can use to make your own moulds, such as silicone, plaster of Paris, water putty, and aluminium. Silicone is a good option as it is reasonably priced, allows for fine detail, and is easy to work with. Plaster of Paris is a good starting point as it is affordable and easy to cast with, but it must be sealed and fully dried before use.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a mould box, a stirrer, a plastic bowl, and a prototype to mould. You can use a butter knife as a stirrer and an old Tupperware container as a mould box. You will also need a moulding material such as silicone, plaster of Paris, water putty, or clay.
First, you need to create a reusable positive master model that will shape the interior of your finished mould. This can be made from wood, modelling clay, or 3D-printed plastic. Next, you will mix and pour liquid silicone into a mould frame containing your master model. After the silicone cures, cut open the mould and remove the model. You can then brush on pearlescent powder and pour in lightweight urethane to create the casting. Once this has cured, you can remove the lure and paint it.
Creating your own plastic fishing lures gives you full control over the design, colour, and weight of the lure. You can modify the weight to improve balance and movement in the water. Making your own lures can also save you money in the long run, as you can replicate proven designs and experiment with new shapes.
