3 Budget Options to Get Started Making Soft Plastic Baits!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

BTW, I didn’t mention PPE/Ventilation equipment in the video as I assumed it for everyone, so please be sure to cook your plastic in a well ventilated area! Lots of fans and/or proper face mask is a must!

[@Psychoti]

Glad I read this before I replied! I've heard so many people skip out on the ventilation and/or mask, and it's just terrifying to think what they're doing to their lungs.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@Psychoti yup, wish I had remembered to add the disclaimer. Thx!

[@travislovelace44]

Yes sir I started with a $400 budget one gallon of plastic three or four colors and glitter and five six silicone molds and 100 bags started selling to friends and yard sales flip a $400 investment about six times and I started injecting enjoy this awesome hobby been doing about 4 years now even got to sale in a local tackle shop I even get to go to a tackle show in joyed the content thanks again triple j baits

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Cool progression, it definitely grows for most people! Glad to hear business is booming for ya!

[@baitchuckin]

Awesome video Adam!! This is just what the community needed!! Great idea! SO much valuable information in here!! Tight Lines brother!!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks man! I hope it helps some guys on the fence so we can grow this community!

[@davidwilliams1805]

Great video Adam! Appreciate you sharing this! Hope you have a great weekend!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Pleasure is mine David, thanks!

[@jeffhayungs5254]

Great video Adam. Great info for people wanting to get into the hobby/ business. Love your vids.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks Jeff! Appreciate you watching!

[@johnwhite993]

Amazing information Adam. Really good info. I want to get started and this is just what I needed. Thanks

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Awesome, great to hear John! Its a great hobby to get into, just be warned... its friggin' awesome, so 500 turns into 2K before you know it! LOL

[@lamarcantrell9019]

You hit it out of the park again Adam. By far the most entertaining resource out there.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thank ya sir, truly appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertfrance6843]

Great tutorial Adam, I was thinking about getting into that phase of bait making but was not sure about what to purchase to get started. Thanks for all the helpful information in this video. Looking forward to getting into this.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@robertfrance6843 sweet! Love to see the baitmaking community grow! Glad the video was helpful to you!

[@JoeHazlet]

This was a very needed video. You did a fabulous job with it. It is very easy to follow and was in depth with a tremendous amount of needed details. I believe it is one of your best videos so far. Be blessed. My friend.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks Joe! Really appreciate it!

[@EpicBaitMolds]

Great video! We were very curious to see how you put together the different levels and you nailed it!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thank ya much! Hopefully it can be a big help to a bunch of folks!

[@mattsandridge6766]

Thanks Adam! Pretty sure everyone appreciates this! So good!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks Matt! Hope its help to many!

[@squirrellydan1277]

Perfect breakdown, thanks fella 👍

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

My pleasure, glad you liked it!

[@adwhite804]

Definitely wanna be making plastics as soon as I can. Thanks for all you tips Adam! You da man

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Always a pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@lroyson]

Adam, that was a nice breakdown of essentials and 3 great options.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks Lee! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kayakak77]

Nice work as always!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks man!

[@ZZ430T56]

Good recommendations. I actually think if making small batches for yourself, a lower power Microwave is best, especially for a beginner. It really helps prevent burning plastic. I also feel a dual injector is not necessary. I personally feel fish don't care for my baits and too much extra labor and waste if selling.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks man, appreciate the input!

[@T_J_Fishin]

Awesome 👍🏼

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks man!

[@kelster1574]

GREAT options for folks wanting to or wondering if they want to get into the hobby......definitely need a warning label "may become very addicting" to go along with all three options....lol Do It makes the ONLY Yamamoto licensed mold on the market...and don't be scared of the finish on the Essential Series baits, they flat out catch fish

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks man! Addicting indeed - the proverbial snowball at the top of the hill! I've heard some guys even prefer the ES look, no doubt they definitely catch!

[@BOSN_BAITS]

I’m glad you threw in the vac chamber I was debating what size to get

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Yup, 3G is perfect for this guy! Glad it helped!

[@mattnolan6979]

Shannon and I loved this video! But I noticed you didn't mention stone molds from Europe for the budget options. I have a few of them from Bug Molds and Bait Molds. Lure quality is comparable to the Do It Essential series but there are several amazing options for $15 -$50 per mold. You sure can't drop them, you have to lube them with cooking spray and denting is a problem. But at a third of the price of even the Essential series, they are fun to try different lures. They'll even customize a mold for you. Just throwing that out as option.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks for the input! Admittedly, I’ve only heard frustrations about stone molds, so I avoided them… but I’m glad they’re working for ya! Appreciate you and Shannon watching!

[@Alexhobby32and7]

Hello! I’ve been watching your content about making silicone lures, and I think you covered a lot of great information about the budget options and essentials for getting started. However, I noticed that there was no mention of a respirator mask for protection. When heating silicone, no matter how good your ventilation might be, there’s still a risk of inhaling fumes that can be harmful over time. I’d really recommend including this advice, as a respirator mask can be crucial for safety. Also, I’d like to ask if you could recommend a budget-friendly hot plate from Amazon for pouring open molds. Specifically, I’m looking for a model that could hold molds steady, ensuring a flawless pour without any defects. Ideally, something between $100 and $200 if such options exist. Thanks so much for your advice!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks Alex! You are correct, PPE/ventilation didn't make it into the video as I "assumed" it for everyone. I did add a pined comment to that effect, so hopefully folks will see that. Regarding a hot plate, I'm not sure I follow the concern about it "holding a mold steady" as that seems to imply some hot plates either move around, or are slanted, or for some reason would cause a mold to slide. I've never seen that to be the case, and all I'm using is a $50 electric griddle from Walmart/Target. The heat distribution isn't perfect, so I purchases a couple "heat diffuser" plates from Amazon that help spread out the heat. If size doesn't matter, you can search for a small, flat, hot plate that is used when dealing with soldering and electronics (Michael over at the Baitchuckin' channel uses one). Its about $60-70, but very small... so maybe 2 of those would do if you have a lot of open pours at once. Hope this helps!

[@Alexhobby32and7]

@@SDGCustomLurecraft Thank you for the response! Yes, I was actually referring to the small hot plate I saw on Michael's channel. I did see some of these models on Amazon but had doubts about whether they'd work well for aluminum molds. They’re typically intended for electronics soldering, so I'm wondering if you think their heat output is sufficient for our purposes. For my setup, I’d only need space for about 3-4 molds at once, so the smaller size might actually work well. Also, do you happen to know about the 9.5 oz wide injector with locks available on Do-it for $105 (without discounts)? I’m cautious because I’ve had a rough experience with their double injector before-ended up regretting that purchase. Do you think it's worth getting, or would you recommend something from SDG or Bass Tackle instead? Thanks again for your advice!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@Alexhobby32and7 yup, that’s the hot plate. From what I know about it (little) it gets plenty hot and is actually in celsius degrees vs Fahrenheit. I was unaware of the Do-It injector with locking pins, I’ll have to check on it. While I can’t speak for it, I can definitely speak to my experience with N2 having come from Do-It… N2 is absolutely worth the extra cost (which is only another $25 for a 10oz, closest in comparison).

[@Alexhobby32and7]

@@SDGCustomLurecraft Thank you for the quick response! It’s good to know that the hot plate gets plenty hot and that the temperature is in Celsius. As for the injector, I agree with you-paying a bit more for the reliability and quality of a trusted brand like N2 is definitely worth it. I appreciate the recommendation; it helps a lot!

[@Alexhobby32and7]

Hello Adam! I just wanted to let you know that I sent you a letter to your mailing address with some questions about custom orders. Could you please check your mail when you have a chance? Thank you! Best regards, Alex

[@waltergurly4040]

It is definitely a additive hobby

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

1,000% yes indeed!

[@TheFishinMortician]

Just a personal reccomendation.... check your local thrift stores for microwaves, knives, measuring spoons, and pyrex cups. Dead On plastics offers a new red label plastic for like $26 a gallon but still has shipping cost and can add salt to make it sink faster. Salt is like $2. Edit: Isn't monkey milk just a white with some pearl powder? and I have to reccomend Hog Salad Bait molds as a strong contender. Epic bait molds are nice but also some of the most expensive out there outside the basic mold.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

All good options, yup! You can can close to MM with white pearl powder and blue highlight, but there’s something more going on (I think anyway). Some guys even add a tiny touch of blue pigment to capture the effect. Me… I just buy it straight out! :). Thanks for the comment!

[@coreyarendt7289]

don't Forget about the Vaseline for the o. Rings on the injectors. It will make the o rings last longer And I also use a presto pot Will I cook my Plastisol in

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Good call, thanks Corey!

[@DavidRamos-ok1tk]

Un video muy interesante Adam pero hay que separar dos sectores claros ,el primero es que hay gente que con muy poco dinero saca algun señuelo con 4 moldes para su uso personal eso es hobby y pesca ,y la segunda opción es la que me considero yo también donde la pasión por lo que haces no tiene precio y siempre intentar conseguir un producto final que es difícil de alcanzar o imposible de comercializar por grandes marcas y ahí es donde reside la auténtica calidad y pasión como decían los jedi el talento sin entrenamiento no sirve de nada todo es pasión y cuando hablamos de eso el dinero no se mira es lo que a uno lo hace excelente trabajar en algo que le gusta tampoco existen las horas dedicadas por qué saben a gloria jejejje un abrazo Adam y como siempre observando mucha calidad amigo !!

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Sí señor, amigo mío, ¡hay mucho que considerar y siempre nos divertimos!

[@TBudgetAngler]

can always make your own mold by making a silicone mold from your favorite open pour bait

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Yup, lots of ways to skin the proverbial cat!

[@williamharkenrider3842]

Been building a supply for 6 months now started with Chris then you made a comment about how expensive epic was you kindly told me you get what you pay for so I started backwards 🤔 got pretty much a mold from everyone but epic saved the best for last👍 setting up shop this month Getting the whip wad and colorant then the trail run 242 bait plastic all thanks to you tube university 👍😎👍

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Epic is worth every penny, yup! There's not a lot of hills I'll die on, but that's one of them! Glad you're well on your way! I hope you dig the 242 as much as I do. 👍👍

[@Arrowhacked]

Great video!! Next, show in real time taking the plastic out of the microwave, into the chamber and into the injector.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@Arrowhacked thanks man! Including the vac chamber in videos (real time) is a challenge, both from all the noise and the time it can take to complete the “pull”. I do want to pull together a plastisol-specific video, so may we do it there… min editing if any. Appreciate the suggestion!

[@Arrowhacked]

@@SDGCustomLurecraft nobody has anything like this posted. At least I haven’t found any. You are already separating yourself from others, this will help many of us that learn hands on better, instead of directions. Appreciate your prompt response. Also, which pearls would you recommend a must have?

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@Arrowhacked thanks man! Regarding pearls… I love the stuff by Barlows and Lureworks. I’ve played with Pearl EX and they are good… I’ve also messed around with some “specialty” powders I got from Amazon… but the ones I go back to are Barlows and Lureworks.

[@Arrowhacked]

This video was the one that made me take the plunge into making my own lures. After realizing I had many of the necessary tools that you mentioned, I went ahead and searched FB Market and found a heck of a deal. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and I am hoping that you make that video in real time with the vaccum chamber.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@ sweet man! The journey begins!

[@dangeroustoman]

How much can you get for each bait?

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

That all depends on the bait itself, size, materials used to make it, quantity you're selling in a bag, injection vs open pour... LOTS of variables!

[@WorldsWorstFishing]

$250?? Stop the madness 😊

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Insanity unleashed... grab a seatbelt!

[@lockpickingengineer7458]

Not a fan of the epicbaitmolds(what is it with the pink shirt the owner is aways got on). I have some they work okay but I feel they are middle of the range. all the Epic mold I have got has come from eBay. I am a big fan of Angling AI. I have very single mold Angling AI has released. I even got the starter pack kits too.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Thanks for the comment! I’ve owned multiple molds from every main manufacturer - all of which have some good stuff, but I still tip my hat to Epic. That said, each to their own, I’m glad you found stuff you like!

[@mikenolan6562]

Great video Adam but…… WARNING WARNING WARNING!!! You start small and the next thing you know g you o is you have a shop full of stuff and you are glued to SDG waiting on the next video so you can try something else! 😅😅😅

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

LOL, indeed! The hobby does need warning labels! Thank you much Mike, I do appreciate the love!

[@KamArte-x4d]

Well, to get a shiny surface from a cheap cast mold, blast the final product with a heat gun! ;)

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

Definitely an option! I've tried it, and never got what I wanted... I got some shine but at the cost of the details. Who knows, maybe that was just me!?

[@KamArte-x4d]

@@SDGCustomLurecraft well , some lure makers are so concerned with the glossyness or smoothness or exotic colors or very restrict coloring and QC that these things become rather a fascination!.... Fishing lure industries feed on these fascination!... some try to have the most colorful work of art paint job, coloring, coating etc on their lures, having big eyes, small eyes, red eyes, gold eyes, No eyes, .... ;).... of course all of them work and catches fish... having this exotic colored Jighead, to that NASA spec. ;), and the list goes on and on and on.... The fact of the matter is that , fish doesn't care, a simple piece of raw wood with added hook can catch a bass, as a $500 hand carved lure in a very exotic wooden box, and perhaps better!.... This is just an option though! ;)

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@KamArte-x4d bass will eat a lot, yup… but there’s also something to be said about HOW I fish a “fancy” lure that I’m excited about! I pay more attention, I anticipate the bite… all that good stuff that wouldn’t happen with a block of wood and a hook :). At least not for this guy!

[@KamArte-x4d]

@@SDGCustomLurecraft well, you said it all... good luck,

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@KamArte-x4d Appreciate the dialogue!

[@jigisuplurecraft]

Solid video. Watching this makes me think of the old adage, "How do you make baits and become a millionaire? Start out as a billionaire!" 😂😂

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

LOL, indeed! We pay for what we love, no doubt about it!

[@yankeelipperfishing]

Bro we need gas money just to go fishing with our bargain bin baits. 250 can get me fishing not baitmaking. Keep up good work. I would say tight lines or good pours . But we can’t have both in this economy 😂

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

LOL, the tension of priorities - definitely a tight rope to walk!

[@JerrelBaker-vo8xv]

Do you write down recipes or just go back and review videos?

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@@JerrelBaker-vo8xv both actually, some that I know I’ll make again I wrote down, some I’ve written down BEFORE the video, so I’m just executing it, and others are more spontaneous/experimental and I go back to see what I did in the video, should I want to write it down or make it again. All depends!

[@JerrelBaker-vo8xv]

Think you. Ever think about publishing your recipes?

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

I have, yup... just never can seem to find the time to do it! Putting it somewhere that I can update it regularly and folks can grab a copy is another challenge (not to mention the hours it would take to go through all the videos!). Perhaps one day :)

[@JerrelBaker-vo8xv]

Well I myself as never gotten around to some day. Just find someone who can read your writing. Have them do the book ad charge customers pay cost of publishing and your cost for ideas. Unless your writting.is as bad as mine.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

@ some day is, indeed, an allusive target!

[@IfYouDontLikeItHereYouCanLeave]

Come on, be truthful. You may not need thousands of dollars but you'll be spending thousands of dollars.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

No argument there, LOL! The hobby does take on a life of its own - too much fun not to!

[@michaelboettcher9384]

I been making plastic lures for many years. Have over 80 molds. I taught a friend d and his brothers to make pladtic lures. They laugh and say it opened a real Pandora box.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

It doesn't take long, does it? Tons of fun and very rewarding, especially when you start catching on stuff you made!

[@michaelboettcher9384]

Go to second had store and buy a microwave oven for 6 dollars.

[@SDGCustomLurecraft]

That would be a dandy of a find, yup!