A Western Renaissance

Glitter and Iridescent Powders

The addition of glitter to plastic adds flash. Make sure to use only poly glitters in making plastics, as metal flake will burn and bleed into the plastic. These glitters also can be purchased at the companies listed at the end of this article.

Titanium-oxide-based powders can add an attractive twist to the coloration. These powders, used mainly in the cosmetic industry, found their way into hand-poured worms in the early 1980s. They add an iridescent sheen to a bait that mimics the iridescence of many preyfish.

Scent and Salt

Scent and salt also may be added. Make sure the scents are oil based, not alcohol or water based, as alcohol or water create a foamy reaction, ruining plastic due to the low boiling point of these materials. Salt, on the other hand, can be added to baits before they cool in the mold. The problem is that most of the salt stays on the surface of the bait and washes off on the first few casts.

Production

Production speed depends on experience and equipment. A beginner with ladles, a couple molds, and hot plates can expect to pour no more than a few dozen worms an hour. An experienced pourer, on the other hand, using pots and many molds can manufacture up to several hundred baits an hour, depending on the size of the bait.

Hazards of Pouring

Similar to working with most chemicals, consider hazards when hand pouring. First and foremost is the toxicity of PVC fumes. Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing these fumes. PVC slowly volatizes at pouring temperatures.

Even if you can’t see smoke, PVC fumes are in the air around you. The best solution is to make a small fume hood for your pouring. Place a small bathroom fan above your pots, ******* out the fumes, and vent to the outside. This also keeps the smell of the plastic out of your working areas.

When using a fume hood, be sure to check regularly for flow restrictions. After prolonged pouring, the PVC fumes will condense in the ducts and dust will accumulate. Clogged ducts are a fire hazard.

A second major hazard are burns. Because the plastic is heated to 340°F, take care that it doesn’t splatter on your skin. First-degree, and more often, second-degree burns will result.

Cost

If you like to tinker, pouring plastics isn’t difficult. You need some liquid PVC, molds, coloring, glitters, and melting pots, all of which can be bought for less than $300. When you start, expect some waste as you get used to pouring and mixing colors, but catching a fish on something you’ve made can be fun and rewarding. n

*Terry Battisti, Idaho Falls, Idaho, is a chemical engineer who grew up in California during the renaissance of hand-poured plastics. He also owns SnakeBite Custom Fishing Tackle (208/822-6160) and is an avid tournament angler.