Pike-perch casting soft baits, the 6 best tips!

Want to cast pike-perch soft baits? In this blog we explain in detail how you can cast your own soft baits. We give you tips and tricks and some nice recipes to get you started. First, we'll focus on how to get started!

What do we need to get started casting pike-perch soft baits?

A great way to start casting soft baits is by casting one of our KITS to buy . We currently have 3 in our store. The first is a basic set, the second a set for making pike-perch/perch bait and the third is for casting pike bait. Let's say you bought the Zander/Perch Kit. As you can read in the description on our website, the full package includes most components. In this package you will find: 1 liter Plastisol soft, 250 ml hardener, small glitters, colorants, a mold to get started with, RTV mold silicone to make your own molds, a pyrex cup, clay to make masters, mold oil and measuring spoons.

Our recommended way to start casting soft baits is in a well-ventilated area (preferably outside) using a microwave. Microwaves don't have to be very expensive. I use one that cost me $50 and I've been using it for over 5 years now. Two Pyrex cups is a minimum if you also want to make two colorful baits. One Pyrex cup is sufficient for one colored bait.

Components in detail:

Plastisol

We sell a soft, floating, a medium-hard and a hard variant. The former is great for making small soft baits for drop shotting or vertical jigging for bass/ zander. The medium variant is ideal for large pike bait. The hard variant is very suitable for sea bass shads / Pelagic shads. The versions can be mixed together. For example, the mix I prefer for pike-perch bait is 50% soft and 50% medium. This 50/50 mix can also be obtained by adding approximately 15 ml hardener to 1000 ml Soft Plastisol. The recommended temperature for pouring is between 165 and 175°C.

Hardener

By adding 4%, the Soft Plastisol changes into the Medium version. You can play with this. Add before heating and stir well.

Softener

Adding 10% changes the Medium Plastisol into the Soft version. You can play with this. Also add before heating.

(Polyester) glitter

Available in different colours/sizes in small and large packages. Add glitter after heating to prevent them from sinking quickly to the bottom of your cup. Glitter can withstand 200°C (approx. 400°F).

LUPA Colors (coloring)

Available in standard, pearl and fluorescent colours. Add before heating. Usually 5 drops per 50 ml of plastisol is a good guideline.

RTV silicone molds

Ready to use, high-quality open molds at a low price. We sell several types. RTV silicone molds are flexible and strong and last much longer than plaster molds, for example.

RTV-Mold silicone (Softbait version)

The best material to make your own silicone molds. Add 2% Activator to the weight base. So 2 grams for every 100 grams of silicone.

Pyrex Cup

Pyrex is a glass that is heat resistant up to 220°C (approx. 425°F). Perfectly suited to get the job done, as we heat our plastisol to approx. 165 / 175°C.

Fimo Clay

The best clay to make small mater shapes. It does not harden by air, but must be baked at 100°C for 30 minutes. | 212°F. After it's baked, you can easily sand it or use a dremel to get the shape you want. TIP: You can also add details afterwards and bake again.

Measuring Spoons

5 stainless steel cups varying in size. Handy tool to get glitter consistency in your bait.

Worm Oil

Used to lubricate molds before casting. Especially useful when using plaster molds or stone molds. Use only a few drops.

View the items mentioned here shop.

3 things you should take into account when working with Plastisol

To avoid getting burned by the plastisol, it is advisable to: heat resistant gloves to carry. You can also consider one safety glasses and a mask with filters. Especially if your workplace is not well ventilated or if you work in it for days.

So always protect your airways, hands and eyes when casting soft baits!

===> The process of making your own molds with RTV Mold Silicone can be found in this blog

Suppose we want to cast a shad like the one pictured below. A speckled green chartreuse shad with a pearly white belly. We take 2 Pyrex Cups and pour in a 50/50 mix of Plastisol Soft / medium or Plastisol soft with 1.5% Hardener for approximately the same result.

We need two cups for two colorful pike-perch soft baits

Recipe 1: 

Pyrex Cup 1: 50 ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Fluo Green / add the smallest amount of medium black glitter after heating

Pyrex Cup 2: 50 ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Pearl White + 1 drop fluorescent green

Now stir in the food coloring with a teaspoon and place the two cups in the microwave for 3 minutes at 600 watts. After those 3 minutes you will see the color emerging and the Plastisol starting to thicken (see photo). Fine.

Plastisol approximately halfway through the heating process.       

Add the glitter, stir and you're ready to pour…                                                 

Put the two cups back for another 2 minutes. After two minutes, take it out again and stir the cups a bit as if you were swirling a glass of wine. Repeat this process until the plastisol is thin again and a little smoke is released. Now add the glitter to the 'green cup' and stir it through.

Do not use a tablespoon, as this will create a lot of air bubbles. Just turn it inward.

We are going to cast Zander Softbaits!

In this case we start with the belly and fill it up. Immediately followed by the green color. Don't wait any longer, because we want the two colors to blend together a bit. Fill the mold and wait 5 minutes. Depending on the size of the bait this could be 3 minutes, 5 minutes or even 10 minutes or longer. If all goes well, it should come out nicely. When your pike-perch soft baits are ready, place them in a bowl of cold water and leave it there for half an hour. After the cooldown, we place the bait upside down on a piece of paper for about 12 hours. After that they should be ready to use and catch fish :).

Softbait comes loose at the thickest part… time to demould

Residual material can be remelted and reused                                                          

In a bowl of cold water to cool

. 

Let it rest for 12 hours, flat on your back             

Zander soft bait. Ready for use :)

Recipe 2 (Brown with black glitter/pearl belly):

Pyrex Cup 1: 50 ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Brown / add the smallest amount of medium black glitter after heating

Pyrex Cup 2: 50 ml Plastisol Mix + 5 drops Pearl White + 1 drop Brown

==> Poured in the same way as recipe 1, but this is a natural color for clear water.

Beautiful pike-perch took this bait

TIPS for casting Zander Softbaits with Plastisol

• TIP 1: If we need to pour small details, it is advisable to heat the Plastisol a little further, because this higher temperature will result in a thinner flow when we pour the Plastisol into it. In that situation, Heat Stabilizer is highly recommended because this liquid prevents the Plastisol from burning at high temperatures. Add maximum 1%. So max. 10 ml for every 1000 ml Plastisol.

• TIP 2: If your bait is cooling in the mold after you cast it, and you're not sure you can get it out, you can try pulling the edges of the mold loose. When the bait comes off at the thickest part, your bait is ready to be taken out.

• TIP 3: Write down your recipes because it's very easy to forget how you made a certain color.

• TIP 4 : Shake your Plastisol and the dye well before using it. The Plastisol only requires a swipe of the hand, but the pigment of the coloring may need further treatment. After a certain time it tends to sink to the bottom. Loosen the pigment with a small screwdriver and stir it.

• Tip 5: Wear heat-resistant gloves when casting your bait. Heated plastisol can cause serious burns. When pouring in non-ventilated areas, it is advisable to use a mask with filters to use.

• TIP 6 : To add dots and other details to your zander soft baits, consider our Softbait dip to use. It can be dipped or brushed. It can also be applied with an airbrush using a 0.3 nozzle. You can dilute the dip by using acetone.

If you have any questions or tips for us, please let us know via Lureparts@hotmail.nl or in the comments below.

Have fun casting Zander Softbaits!

Cheers,

Oscar Wissink

Lureparts.nl