Personally I like salt for weightless presentations where I need a steady fall. Salted stick baits sink nicer in water with current. Also soft plastic jerk baits I prefer salted. They sink a little, and have more of a suspending action vs non salted. I've tried both zoom and Yamamoto 5 inch jerk baits, and the Yamamoto perform better because of the salt. The zoom baits last longer, but don't really sink
I usually only reach for a heavier plastic if I’m fishing it weightless and I want it to sink faster. I could easily just stick a nail weight or something in it if it’s not already heavy by itself. I don’t think the salt adds anything more than weight (and filler from a manufacturing standpoint like you said). Great video WWF
poured baits with and without for a year and the salted baits out fished the ones without 3 to 1. Sink rate is the key and the softness in the texture and lightness in the color that salt provides is essential. Great video and channel.
I caught my biggest bass wacky rigging a senko, so I stick with them even though I lose a lot of baits. I like fishing weightless when I wacky rig and I think the salt helps it sink faster thus giving the bait a better fluttering action.
Same I came my biggest on second cast wacky 6 lber. To this day I will never complain about them tearing down easy. Actually it was a lake fork worm but extremely similar to the senko.
First of all: great videos, and keep up the good work. My input: I make baits as well, I like salt in my stick baits, because i like to fish weightless with just a size 1 or 2 hook, and having salt in a Stick bait, it sinks faster into the zone. Espicially on windy days, stick baits without salt sinks too slow and tend to get drifted . Also on the sink, when testing it in 1ft of water, you'll see nothing big. But x that by 5-8ft of water. Huge differences when it's weightless. Being heavier with salt, I like to skip it under docks and it gives me that advantages as well with the extra weight. But! I also do use non-salt stickbaits for drop shot, like you mention it's more durable and buoyancy, but thats because it's weighted down.
I'm totally with you about the no salt. I've had customer's ask if I put salt in mine and I explain them how it weakens the bait and I explain that I use a sinking blend, they no longer ask about salt. I have rolled my tubes in a bag of salt before tubes have cured but that's it. Good video and nice to see you back in the shop
Salt is a good additive in smaller amounts. I like zoom baits and strike king plastic but I don’t touch Yamamoto because they are so expensive and are way too easy to tear up. Honestly I think YUM has a near perfect senko because it’s durable and still has salt.
I'm not a bait maker but do enjoy the process and learning how different baits work, or should work. I understand you are not a fan of salt but if you were to lay the salt out on a baking sheet place in a warm oven for awhile it should solve your moisture problems.
I was thinking the same, 200F for half an hour to an hour should drive out most of the retained moisture. How long it would stay moisture free would depend on climate of course. Florida probably not long but long enough for a few pours.
Good information. I like the senkos and used them for wacky fishing. If you have water flowing you need a weighted wacky unless you’re in shallow water you can’t get it down to where the bass are.
Salted tear super easy as you pointed out, but they also have the annoying trait of destroying any hooks you leave in place on them too. I always dunk hooks in water before ending a tour with the senkos in past. Looking into trying to make my own options and appreciate your information.
Great job dude! I know this is an old video but I'm just now watching it. Out west here in California our finesse worms were always salted. I was involved in those early years making baits for a hand pour company while in high school. They called it salt impregnated. We sprinkled or poured salt onto the hot plastic before it solidified. These were the open pour finesse worms 4.5 to 6 inch plastic worms with blood lines and what not. Like roboworms.(Definitely were not the originals) Don Iovino still makes some of these original baits. The salt kept the baits from sticking together and also added a soft natural texture and a "scent" trail in the water that a fishes ol factory sensors can detect. I was told that all things in nature need salt in their diet to survive way back then so I continue to do it. Injections have come a long way since then. You make some great videos on those baits. In my opinion I think that they strayed away from adding salt to the surface of the baits out of necessity and convenience. Although you can duplicate great colors now with injections, you can't really add salt to an injection bait in the same way as an open pour cause it will be cold and just fall off anyway. Sorry for the long winded story 😅 thats just my take on salt. Also.....Senkos would have been just another cheap injection bait without salt!
I just watched the drop rate at 25% play back speed, and your salted bait has way more flutter than the Yamamoto bait. Great looking, and action on that bait.
The two sticko’s that I use are yum dinger-no salt, and bass pro sticko- with salt. The with salt sinks faster for sure, but I’ve caught the same amount of fish on either, so I don’t think salt really matters.
This all started back in the 70's (LOL my age) when the hot bait was a jig and pig. Pork frogs are mostly salt and it was thought that bass would hang on to it longer. Now plastic has more action then pork, but what if you put salt into the plastic? And that's how it all started. also, now 2021 I see pork frogs are coming back on the market! (What comes around isn't always new)
If you want to make your bait more natural looking salt is needed. You can rub a bait with salt and it will make it more flat looking. If you rub a bait without salt it stays glossy.
New sub here. Nonmaker angler. I do everything I can to get the slowest possible sink I can because I generally fish very skittish finicky bass. They don’t generally attack bait dropping on their head… they run! So I have to lead them most often. So I have done some surgery to some of my 4”sink-o and added a tiny foam to some of my worms belly. They sink I get in my pool is very unique. With the weight of a 4/0 keeper hook belly float it really isn’t like anything I’ve every seen. It almost snakes it’s way down nice and slow.
As a hobbyist bait maker my self, you are about the only person that totally agrees with what I have been saying for years on the various forums. Many years back I think it was Kalins? that started using salt, advertising it that fish hold on longer. Blood has salt in it and fish can taste that, Yada yada yada. Other brands caught on to this and started doing it. I think that's false, but MANY still believe it to be true. And as said, salt is a cheap filler, and baits tear easier resulting in more sales. More salt (especially powdered) is tough for bait makers as it really clouds the color and changes it lighter. You cant make translucent baits for more clear water. Glitters don't show well. My opinion is that the plastisol does not adhere to salt so tears easy. BTW always add salt before heating and mix well. NO clumps and less bubbles. Many people LOVE the real Senkos and insist they catch more fish on it. GYBC I believe was one of the first to use heavy salt for sink rate fished weightless. This may be true and seasonable. Spawn time fish are usually more shallow and a slower falling stick (like a Yum Dinger) may work better. The faster falling Senko may be a better choice working the bait slowly out to ten feet or more. I personally use very fine Glass beads. I can make any sink rate I want and colors are vibrant. I can even make clear sticks that sink and are just as soft as a Senko. Two tablespoons of salt or glass beads to 4 oz soft plastic and the bait will be about 11g. Same as the real deal. With an o-ring wacky I easily catch twenty bass on one. Not good if you want to make money LOL. Only downside that I see is the glass beads WILL scratch your injector. Still useable but I have one specific injector for plastic with the beads. MANY of my friends insist on salt in sticks so I use half glass beads and half pickling salt (lil more course). As far as baits that will be used with a sinker or jig head, I never use salt as I want it to stand up and definitely be more durable.
Yeah I agree man, thanks for such a good comment.. people are using sinking additives that are silica base and glass base... Using the sinking plastic also helps reduce the amount of additives needed.. it's all an interesting discussion
Durability isn't something I worry about too much- I don't catch enough fish for it to matter. I know that sounds funny but, it's true. I guess when I finally become a good angler- if it ever happens, maybe I'll have to worry about it then but- right now it's just not a concern.
Keep up the good work! I just want to comment on the question When I was a Kid I used a 9” Black Mann’s Jelly Worm ( Blackberry Scent) and a Burke Buckshot Worm and caught many big bass. So, I do not look for salt and I think if the worm does have a scent to it, I think it’s more useful on masking human scent. I look more for action, also I think that fish hold on longer when the bait is soft. How soft who knows LOL. But I do use worms that sink differently For example I want more of a floating worm when I am fishing lily pads and weeds and in deeper a like a faster sinking worm because I don’t like to use weights
When I make my stick baits I add a little bit of salt only for the fall rate. When I first started I added salt but the baits are much weaker. So I agree with your comment on that
Yep, I agree with you. But , for me I use recycled plastic lures yep it’s a pain dealing when salted lures . A lot bubbles and moisture. And the tearing of lure sucks. I try not to use the salted ones as much I put them to sideline and only use them when someone ask.
I had no idea that salt made the bait tear easier...good to know. I am just getting into pouring plastic baits and was wondering if I should start adding salt and now I'm glad I didn't.
I got into making my own stick worms just so I know they don't have any salt in them because I want them to float. Especially when I Carolina rig, or dropshot, or shakeyhead rig a stick worm that I want to float as much as I can for presentation purposes
bead blast medium for weight,to maintain translucency.an strength salt may add depth to color or does salt also cover human Oder .maybe bass see salt fall from the bait on initial cast ,like sparkle scales scent leaves a scale trail
25:10 Might be a good spot for an icard up in the top corner linking that video. As far as salt goes, I absolutely hate weak baits. I've been watching a ton of your videos lately because I want to start making my own baits when I get home from deployment. It's really nice to know plastic is out there that doesn't require salt. I have a buddy who makes baits and he loads some of them with salt. Especially his flukes. He said it makes them dart around like crazy. I tested them out and I couldn't keep the smallmouth off of them. But they were definitely not quite as strong as I would prefer.
On single trail and double tail Yamamoto grubs, ill put the tails and rub them between my hands. It changes the look of the tails just a bit. Puts a white hue on the tips. I think that has helps me.
I'm certainly no fan of making baits with salt. I agree that it adds additional messy work, which IMHO takes some of the fun out of it. That said I do get requests for salt, an feel that some salt is necessary for proper fall on certain baits.
I fish tidal water and sink rate is important without sinking you will most likely miss your spot. On some of my stick worms I use my dual injector and use both to make sure my bait fall but I still keep it off the bottom.
Great example and proof of the differences, and I have used zoom plastics far more than Yamamoto, but in the past few years(5-6) I’ve been using ZMAN floating worms for drop shot and shaky heads. Can you get a product similar to elaztech 🤷🏻♂️ I know of a half dozen companies now creating similar products, although I don’t think they’re as good as ZMAN…I just think any bait that looks and “acts” naturally is a superior product, and in all styles, like crawfish, worms, swimbaits😜 always like your work and videos ✊
Personally I think the Yamamoto senko has my most personal best catches. I don't like the limited use, but they DO seem to catch more fish. At least from my experience in the northeast
I’ve played with it and have determined it is a viable filler depending on application. I make a salted 5inch swim bait that has a neutral buoyancy when by its self and adding a hook with small chin weight makes it sink very slow (1ft every 6 seconds. I use it for Murray cod in Australia where being able to pause the bait and have it suspend next to a snaggy log at a particular depth is important...using no salt and just a jig head on the plastic makes for zero fish. I’m sure the same theory would work for other fish species. But on the topic of salted worms for drop shot I think ur right and it’s just a filler to make the plastic go 20% further and not as durable so more packs are sold
I would have to agree 100%. Working for a chemical company that makes resin we use salt as a filler. It doesn’t do anything to the resin but make more of it for less.
i have never used anything else but Yamamoto baits but sense he sold the company they cut colors by 30% i would guess so i started making my own cus my colors that we use were in that 30% so looking forward to the fishing season here in Lansing Mich i am also the director of are bass fishing club called the river rats are biggest fish last year was caught on the grand river @ 6lbs-4oz
seems like i’ve had the best luck with the berkley maxscent stick worms, not sure what makes those different but they are even softer than the synkos and cost about the same so they dont get used much
Others may have already shared. For me skipping docks salt makes the bait heavier and easier to cast. The flutter on the fall is different to with salt
I like salted baits in my mind because I fish in brackish on the coast. As a bait maker without a vacuum chamber I hate it for the moisture problems. I now don’t use salt and use a weighted wacky head.
One thing I figured out about fishing a long time ago- you want to stay out of "camps". If you find yourself in a "camp"- get out. Every time I think I have something figured out, and I build my little camp- the fish or some other angler burns it down. They show me I'm either just plain wrong or that whatever I figured out is relative to my fishing and doesn't always apply. So- no more camps, I'll just pitch a pallet wherever I find myself.
Spring and fall salt so it sinks a little faster if it’s middle of summer I tend to use no salt so it sinks slower since the bass are more lethargic so usually reach for strike king or yum in summer for slow descent and Yamamoto or berkley max scent any other time
You know what- I used to think the same way- they're lethargic so I need to be using the smallest weight possible, if any- trying to get that slow fall. But, I've found out this year I was only partially right- they do indeed want that on some days but- on many days a fast fall or presentation works way better. Even though they're lethargic their instinct is still triggered when something goes by quickly, not giving them time to examine or think about it. After all, their metabolism is the highest it's gonna be all year long in the middle of summer.
I haven't used a non salted plastic that I know of to compare. If I remember correctly you once said that the salt in the plastic also dissolves once you start using it and that will weaken the plastic as well. (Don't hold me to it but I thought it was you) I know I've heard someone say it. Lol. Anyways I'm curious on non salted plastics now and will have to give them a try.
I also think salt is a headache but, when I used DO I didn’t need it. Now I feel since useing BP my fall rate isn’t how I like it for a good flutter on the stickbaits. Trying to get the best action and durability 👍🏼 if anyone has suggestions feel free to leave them here!
Now after watching the video: you pretty much confirmed what my feelings were. It's just for weight. A lot of the baits I use are salted because that's what I can get unless I end up at bass pro. But I just fish for fun so it doesn't really matter. If I were to be more serious about it, I would be more picky about my soft plastics and probably get them from someone nearby that makes them so I know what kind of plastic and what is going into them. Plus it helps a local person out. But it also depends on what the fish want. If they want faster bait you want faster fall. Sometimes they want slower movement. So you need both sometimes.
I tried crushed glass from harbor frieght an it made baits look so much better the color did not change like it does with salt an has great fall rate BUT it scared my plastic gun up to almost the point was no longer any good so dont use glass beads.Unless you hand pouring baits
To answer the question for now, absolutely. In some circumstances. This title intrigued me enough to get in to content. I'll have to watch and recomment later.
For me its about practicality, and its not practical to have a bait that breaks apart really easy after one or two bites. Doesn't justify me paying for baits that aren't durable. And the sinking plastisol from deadOn is really good without adding filler, falls more naturally
I didn't know salt was in the plastic itself I thought it was just coated in salt for the scent/taste instead of having gross scent juice dripping on you. I haven't been fishing since I was a kid and never never caught anything with lures because I didn't know what I was doing. Now 10 years later I felt like going out again actually try to catch something now I have more of an idea on what i'm doing and still have all my old stuff and tacklebox from 10 years ago still full of salt scattered over everything from these stupid things.
I typically want the softest heaviest baits I can get without having to add lead or tungsten. I also like the color change and the texture difference of added salt. I recently started making my own baits due to your videos so think you for giving me another outlet to spend money in this sport lol…
I kind of like that rough look it gets once some of the salt has dissolved or the bait gets roughed up- gives it a sort of matt finish, dulls it out a little- more natural looking.
For me salt is really for density. For example on the caffeine Shad by strike king the action wouldn’t be the same without salt and with a weighted Texas hook. And you can also cast them further away
OK, I really like Yamamoto Senkos. I've caught a lot of fish with them. Some of my best days were Senko days. But for almost 2 years I have been making my own baits. all hand pour. I DON'T LIKE adding salt. Using salt when handpouring is awful. Plastic cools too fast, is too thick for smaller baits, the salt does not suspend well in the pouring cup and a struggle with bubbles. (Usually end up with a cup of salt with some plastisol when done) I've been using Dead On black bucket and found that it doesn't sink quite fast enough in current. I've started adding a little bit of salt to stick worms lately, but not a fan.
There wasn’t a bunch of options in plastic or buoyancy of plastic, when the old worms like senko came out. Now that it’s the number one selling, most used lure on earth, would be pretty stupid to change the formula
Salt probably not cheaper than plasticizers for those large manufacturers and they most likely use more dye to make lures with salt but I agree is does make them less durable thus people buy more.
I prefer a scent over salt but my absolute favorite worm is a strike king ocho that does have salt in it. I prefer it for the coffee scent but as I throw it mostly weightless the faster sinking helps and they are one $4 a bag and seem to stand up well. Yamamotos are overpriced lol
I’m not paying 8$ a bag for something that’s going to get lost or destroyed by a fish. That’s nuts I don’t care how good it is. In my own opinion , the best two baits besides zoom and yum is 6th sense line of soft plastics and z-man. I love z-man! And the 6th sense divine shaky worm! Good point on the salt making baits cheap to make and then selling them for more money. It’s all about marketing.
in my opinion its due to a lot of reasons but for me i lie to flip weightless texas rigged worms the salt helps me get a little weight to my casts and how it sinks plus i think the fish hold on for the taste just like when people would add coffee to the bait
What I noticed was during the stick worm salted sink test was yours had a lot more flutter on the fall than the yamamoto . thats the action that catches fish
On your salt. If you are paying more for the Lureworks fine flake, you don't have to. Fine salt is just salt that has been ground down. You can do the same thing in a home blender with any salt you have. So get the cheapest. As far as moisture, put the salt in the oven on a baking sheet for a while to get the water out. I don't know how long it would take, but you can't burn salt, so the longer and hotter, the better.
Yeah you can usually take the moisture out of the salt before you actually use it, but it will attract moisture in the final product and you will still have some unwanted side effects from that
A weightless stick bait is my confidence lure! The Yamamoto and Strike King in my opinion catch more fish and they have more salt in them than others! They work, but yeah, the durability is worse! If i had the $$, I'd always buy them!
I only use salt in my stickbaits. Hard to not try and duplicate the "standard" aka senko when so many tournaments have been won on them and anglers have confidence in them. Yes it is a pain in the butt, you need a vac chamber and a hot air gun to rid the bubbles but once you learn the tricks it's easy. I have said it before, don't be afraid of salt.
You should heat up the salt before adding it. About 80-100C owen for like 30min should do the trick. Assuming that salt is put evenly on flat surface during heating. No more moisture bubbles.
I love scent on mine like creed aventus , that’s how you catch the big ole girls lol 😂😂naw just pickin . But I do like salt in my senkos but not on regular ribbon tail or brush hog type baits . But I believe your right never thought of it as a filler and boy you can go through some Yamamotos quick. What about sugar I wonder if you could use it instead of salt for the fish with a sweet tooth
No salt. Not once have I ever caught more fish with salt than without. To me, I want a slower sinking stick bait so it can do its thing longer on the fall. I think salt is just a way to catch fisherman.
Well salts are used in bait cures. Specific salts have strike provoking properties. So yes you can use any salt but you probably don’t want to use any salt you probably want a very specific blend of salts and you probably want a certain amount to give off the right taste in the water that might mimic say the salt from blood or organs.
hard to argue with the popularity of the Yamamoto senko. all these test aside, which one catches more fish? that's the only test im interested in and if I like it or not is meaningless. also if we're making our own baits does it really Matter if they tear easier?
Have You Tested How Much Floating Additive / Beads Per Cup Of Plastic It Takes To Completely Float a Frog With a Proper Sized Hook Thanks If You Have Done It Already Can You Give Me The Link So i Can Watch it Thanks
I'd be interested to see the googan baits along with the zoom and Yamamoto baits. I use yum baits the most but I'm in canada googans aren't easily found up here you have to order them and its pricey
I don’t use salt in my baits unless someone wants it. I don’t use salt in anything i make for my self and i don’t think it makes a difference in fish catches. Some manufacturers will put salt in the bait bags, what does this do? Like you said probably a money thing. Good info!
I’d be willing to bet that 90% of it is that salt is a cheap filler, the other 10% is so they can slap “loads of salt!!!” on the package for the people that think it matters.
I personally go for scent vs. salt. I think of it this way, are you more likely to eat a pizza that is salty or eat it because it smells good? Also I'd rather have a bait that can catch multiple fish than a bait that tears with one fish bite that you might not even hook, but it tore that bait up anyways. Gets expensive.
Totally off topic, but nice haircut haha
Personally I like salt for weightless presentations where I need a steady fall. Salted stick baits sink nicer in water with current. Also soft plastic jerk baits I prefer salted. They sink a little, and have more of a suspending action vs non salted. I've tried both zoom and Yamamoto 5 inch jerk baits, and the Yamamoto perform better because of the salt. The zoom baits last longer, but don't really sink
I'm more on the scent side but I was questioning what salt really did and you nailed it for me personally.. nice informative video👌🏾
I usually only reach for a heavier plastic if I’m fishing it weightless and I want it to sink faster. I could easily just stick a nail weight or something in it if it’s not already heavy by itself. I don’t think the salt adds anything more than weight (and filler from a manufacturing standpoint like you said). Great video WWF
Thank you man I appreciate the comment
poured baits with and without for a year and the salted baits out fished the ones without 3 to 1. Sink rate is the key and the softness in the texture and lightness in the color that salt provides is essential. Great video and channel.
I caught my biggest bass wacky rigging a senko, so I stick with them even though I lose a lot of baits. I like fishing weightless when I wacky rig and I think the salt helps it sink faster thus giving the bait a better fluttering action.
Same I came my biggest on second cast wacky 6 lber. To this day I will never complain about them tearing down easy. Actually it was a lake fork worm but extremely similar to the senko.
First of all: great videos, and keep up the good work.
My input:
I make baits as well, I like salt in my stick baits, because i like to fish weightless with just a size 1 or 2 hook, and having salt in a Stick bait, it sinks faster into the zone. Espicially on windy days, stick baits without salt sinks too slow and tend to get drifted .
Also on the sink, when testing it in 1ft of water, you'll see nothing big. But x that by 5-8ft of water. Huge differences when it's weightless. Being heavier with salt, I like to skip it under docks and it gives me that advantages as well with the extra weight.
But! I also do use non-salt stickbaits for drop shot, like you mention it's more durable and buoyancy, but thats because it's weighted down.
I'm totally with you about the no salt. I've had customer's ask if I put salt in mine and I explain them how it weakens the bait and I explain that I use a sinking blend, they no longer ask about salt. I have rolled my tubes in a bag of salt before tubes have cured but that's it. Good video and nice to see you back in the shop
Is the rolling tubes in salt for just aesthetics/traditional purposes? Won’t it wash off immediately once it touches the water?
👌👌🙌
I think more for looks, customer asks for it so i did it
@@thebacklasher8426 Many do that so they dont stick together.
Salt is a good additive in smaller amounts. I like zoom baits and strike king plastic but I don’t touch Yamamoto because they are so expensive and are way too easy to tear up. Honestly I think YUM has a near perfect senko because it’s durable and still has salt.
I'm not a bait maker but do enjoy the process and learning how different baits work, or should work. I understand you are not a fan of salt but if you were to lay the salt out on a baking sheet place in a warm oven for awhile it should solve your moisture problems.
I was thinking the same, 200F for half an hour to an hour should drive out most of the retained moisture. How long it would stay moisture free would depend on climate of course. Florida probably not long but long enough for a few pours.
Good information. I like the senkos and used them for wacky fishing. If you have water flowing you need a weighted wacky unless you’re in shallow water you can’t get it down to where the bass are.
Salted tear super easy as you pointed out, but they also have the annoying trait of destroying any hooks you leave in place on them too. I always dunk hooks in water before ending a tour with the senkos in past. Looking into trying to make my own options and appreciate your information.
Great job dude! I know this is an old video but I'm just now watching it. Out west here in California our finesse worms were always salted. I was involved in those early years making baits for a hand pour company while in high school. They called it salt impregnated. We sprinkled or poured salt onto the hot plastic before it solidified. These were the open pour finesse worms 4.5 to 6 inch plastic worms with blood lines and what not. Like roboworms.(Definitely were not the originals) Don Iovino still makes some of these original baits. The salt kept the baits from sticking together and also added a soft natural texture and a "scent" trail in the water that a fishes ol factory sensors can detect. I was told that all things in nature need salt in their diet to survive way back then so I continue to do it. Injections have come a long way since then. You make some great videos on those baits. In my opinion I think that they strayed away from adding salt to the surface of the baits out of necessity and convenience. Although you can duplicate great colors now with injections, you can't really add salt to an injection bait in the same way as an open pour cause it will be cold and just fall off anyway. Sorry for the long winded story 😅 thats just my take on salt. Also.....Senkos would have been just another cheap injection bait without salt!
I just watched the drop rate at 25% play back speed, and your salted bait has way more flutter than the Yamamoto bait. Great looking, and action on that bait.
The two sticko’s that I use are yum dinger-no salt, and bass pro sticko- with salt. The with salt sinks faster for sure, but I’ve caught the same amount of fish on either, so I don’t think salt really matters.
This all started back in the 70's (LOL my age) when the hot bait was a jig and pig. Pork frogs are mostly salt and it was thought that bass would hang on to it longer. Now plastic has more action then pork, but what if you put salt into the plastic? And that's how it all started. also, now 2021 I see pork frogs are coming back on the market! (What comes around isn't always new)
pork swimbait next video haha
@@WorldsWorstFishing LOL
If you want to make your bait more natural looking salt is needed. You can rub a bait with salt and it will make it more flat looking. If you rub a bait without salt it stays glossy.
So you prefer a more dull finish to a glossy finish?
New sub here. Nonmaker angler. I do everything I can to get the slowest possible sink I can because I generally fish very skittish finicky bass. They don’t generally attack bait dropping on their head… they run! So I have to lead them most often. So I have done some surgery to some of my 4”sink-o and added a tiny foam to some of my worms belly. They sink I get in my pool is very unique. With the weight of a 4/0 keeper hook belly float it really isn’t like anything I’ve every seen. It almost snakes it’s way down nice and slow.
As a hobbyist bait maker my self, you are about the only person that totally agrees with what I have been saying for years on the various forums.
Many years back I think it was Kalins? that started using salt, advertising it that fish hold on longer. Blood has salt in it and fish can taste that, Yada yada yada. Other brands caught on to this and started doing it. I think that's false, but MANY still believe it to be true. And as said, salt is a cheap filler, and baits tear easier resulting in more sales.
More salt (especially powdered) is tough for bait makers as it really clouds the color and changes it lighter. You cant make translucent baits for more clear water. Glitters don't show well.
My opinion is that the plastisol does not adhere to salt so tears easy. BTW always add salt before heating and mix well. NO clumps and less bubbles.
Many people LOVE the real Senkos and insist they catch more fish on it. GYBC I believe was one of the first to use heavy salt for sink rate fished weightless. This may be true and seasonable. Spawn time fish are usually more shallow and a slower falling stick (like a Yum Dinger) may work better. The faster falling Senko may be a better choice working the bait slowly out to ten feet or more.
I personally use very fine Glass beads. I can make any sink rate I want and colors are vibrant. I can even make clear sticks that sink and are just as soft as a Senko. Two tablespoons of salt or glass beads to 4 oz soft plastic and the bait will be about 11g. Same as the real deal. With an o-ring wacky I easily catch twenty bass on one. Not good if you want to make money LOL. Only downside that I see is the glass beads WILL scratch your injector. Still useable but I have one specific injector for plastic with the beads.
MANY of my friends insist on salt in sticks so I use half glass beads and half pickling salt (lil more course).
As far as baits that will be used with a sinker or jig head, I never use salt as I want it to stand up and definitely be more durable.
Yeah I agree man, thanks for such a good comment.. people are using sinking additives that are silica base and glass base... Using the sinking plastic also helps reduce the amount of additives needed.. it's all an interesting discussion
Durability isn't something I worry about too much- I don't catch enough fish for it to matter. I know that sounds funny but, it's true. I guess when I finally become a good angler- if it ever happens, maybe I'll have to worry about it then but- right now it's just not a concern.
Keep up the good work!
I just want to comment on the question
When I was a Kid I used a 9” Black Mann’s Jelly Worm ( Blackberry Scent) and a Burke Buckshot Worm and caught many big bass.
So, I do not look for salt and I think if the worm does have a scent to it, I think it’s more useful on masking human scent.
I look more for action, also I think that fish hold on longer when the bait is soft. How soft who knows LOL.
But I do use worms that sink differently
For example I want more of a floating worm when I am fishing lily pads and weeds and in deeper a like a faster sinking worm because I don’t like to use weights
I do like those jelly worms LOL
When I make my stick baits I add a little bit of salt only for the fall rate. When I first started I added salt but the baits are much weaker. So I agree with your comment on that
It's definitely an interesting discussion
Almost at 75k subs, can't wait to see what we have a chance to win. Great content
Yep, I agree with you. But , for me I use recycled plastic lures yep it’s a pain dealing when salted lures . A lot bubbles and moisture. And the tearing of lure sucks. I try not to use the salted ones as much I put them to sideline and only use them when someone ask.
I had no idea that salt made the bait tear easier...good to know. I am just getting into pouring plastic baits and was wondering if I should start adding salt and now I'm glad I didn't.
I got into making my own stick worms just so I know they don't have any salt in them because I want them to float. Especially when I Carolina rig, or dropshot, or shakeyhead rig a stick worm that I want to float as much as I can for presentation purposes
bead blast medium for weight,to maintain translucency.an strength salt may add depth to color or does salt also cover human Oder .maybe bass see salt fall from the bait on initial cast ,like sparkle scales scent leaves a scale trail
25:10
Might be a good spot for an icard up in the top corner linking that video. As far as salt goes, I absolutely hate weak baits. I've been watching a ton of your videos lately because I want to start making my own baits when I get home from deployment. It's really nice to know plastic is out there that doesn't require salt. I have a buddy who makes baits and he loads some of them with salt. Especially his flukes. He said it makes them dart around like crazy. I tested them out and I couldn't keep the smallmouth off of them. But they were definitely not quite as strong as I would prefer.
On single trail and double tail Yamamoto grubs, ill put the tails and rub them between my hands. It changes the look of the tails just a bit. Puts a white hue on the tips. I think that has helps me.
I'm certainly no fan of making baits with salt. I agree that it adds additional messy work, which IMHO takes some of the fun out of it. That said I do get requests for salt, an feel that some salt is necessary for proper fall on certain baits.
I fish tidal water and sink rate is important without sinking you will most likely miss your spot. On some of my stick worms I use my dual injector and use both to make sure my bait fall but I still keep it off the bottom.
Good content. The home made salted versus the Gary Yam looked like it had more action as it fell without a hook.
Yeah had some nice wobble
Great example and proof of the differences, and I have used zoom plastics far more than Yamamoto, but in the past few years(5-6) I’ve been using ZMAN floating worms for drop shot and shaky heads. Can you get a product similar to elaztech 🤷🏻♂️ I know of a half dozen companies now creating similar products, although I don’t think they’re as good as ZMAN…I just think any bait that looks and “acts” naturally is a superior product, and in all styles, like crawfish, worms, swimbaits😜 always like your work and videos ✊
I haven't started making bait yet but from my best guess though if you put the salt in an oven or dehydrator could help
Good points, one other thing is that the baits tearing more means you have to buy more. Meaning more money for the business.
Personally I think the Yamamoto senko has my most personal best catches. I don't like the limited use, but they DO seem to catch more fish. At least from my experience in the northeast
I’ve played with it and have determined it is a viable filler depending on application. I make a salted 5inch swim bait that has a neutral buoyancy when by its self and adding a hook with small chin weight makes it sink very slow (1ft every 6 seconds. I use it for Murray cod in Australia where being able to pause the bait and have it suspend next to a snaggy log at a particular depth is important...using no salt and just a jig head on the plastic makes for zero fish. I’m sure the same theory would work for other fish species.
But on the topic of salted worms for drop shot I think ur right and it’s just a filler to make the plastic go 20% further and not as durable so more packs are sold
Thanks for the comment, it is definitely an interesting discussion
I would have to agree 100%. Working for a chemical company that makes resin we use salt as a filler. It doesn’t do anything to the resin but make more of it for less.
So you admit it! 😆
Se ven muy buenos tus señuelos salydls desde cuba
You are an artist on colors
What a nice military camelo color worm color I like salt soft plastic baits for Pier fishing because they sink faster for halibut fish
I love the Yamamoto Flappin Hog, but I’m lucky to get two fish out of it. I wish I could find a non-salted version.
i have never used anything else but Yamamoto baits but sense he sold the company they cut colors by 30% i would guess so i started making my own cus my colors that we use were in that 30% so looking forward to the fishing season here in Lansing Mich i am also the director of are bass fishing club called the river rats are biggest fish last year was caught on the grand river @ 6lbs-4oz
Stay healthy my man! We're dealing with some weird sinus cold thing over here...sucks
Sorry to hear that
I do not like salt in my plastics. As you mentioned, I feel the salt weakens the bait and I don’t feel salt is an attractant.
seems like i’ve had the best luck with the berkley maxscent stick worms, not sure what makes those different but they are even softer than the synkos and cost about the same so they dont get used much
I'm from some of the same area as you, and I've used all kinds of stick worms. Personally don't have a preference on manufacture, as to color myself.
I use glass. It doesnt affect clarity as bad and actuallybonds to the plastic. It also adds weight and does not disolve and ruin the baits integrity
Others may have already shared. For me skipping docks salt makes the bait heavier and easier to cast. The flutter on the fall is different to with salt
I like salted baits in my mind because I fish in brackish on the coast. As a bait maker without a vacuum chamber I hate it for the moisture problems. I now don’t use salt and use a weighted wacky head.
what would it be like using a fantastic elastic plastic core with a salty shell?
One thing I figured out about fishing a long time ago- you want to stay out of "camps". If you find yourself in a "camp"- get out. Every time I think I have something figured out, and I build my little camp- the fish or some other angler burns it down. They show me I'm either just plain wrong or that whatever I figured out is relative to my fishing and doesn't always apply. So- no more camps, I'll just pitch a pallet wherever I find myself.
Spring and fall salt so it sinks a little faster if it’s middle of summer I tend to use no salt so it sinks slower since the bass are more lethargic so usually reach for strike king or yum in summer for slow descent and Yamamoto or berkley max scent any other time
You know what- I used to think the same way- they're lethargic so I need to be using the smallest weight possible, if any- trying to get that slow fall. But, I've found out this year I was only partially right- they do indeed want that on some days but- on many days a fast fall or presentation works way better. Even though they're lethargic their instinct is still triggered when something goes by quickly, not giving them time to examine or think about it. After all, their metabolism is the highest it's gonna be all year long in the middle of summer.
I haven't used a non salted plastic that I know of to compare. If I remember correctly you once said that the salt in the plastic also dissolves once you start using it and that will weaken the plastic as well. (Don't hold me to it but I thought it was you) I know I've heard someone say it. Lol. Anyways I'm curious on non salted plastics now and will have to give them a try.
I also think salt is a headache but, when I used DO I didn’t need it. Now I feel since useing BP my fall rate isn’t how I like it for a good flutter on the stickbaits. Trying to get the best action and durability 👍🏼 if anyone has suggestions feel free to leave them here!
Yeah the dead on makes the need for salt less
Glass beads
Now after watching the video: you pretty much confirmed what my feelings were. It's just for weight. A lot of the baits I use are salted because that's what I can get unless I end up at bass pro. But I just fish for fun so it doesn't really matter. If I were to be more serious about it, I would be more picky about my soft plastics and probably get them from someone nearby that makes them so I know what kind of plastic and what is going into them. Plus it helps a local person out.
But it also depends on what the fish want. If they want faster bait you want faster fall. Sometimes they want slower movement. So you need both sometimes.
It definitely makes em cheaper to manufactur
I tried crushed glass from harbor frieght an it made baits look so much better the color did not change like it does with salt an has great fall rate BUT it scared my plastic gun up to almost the point was no longer any good so dont use glass beads.Unless you hand pouring baits
Have you ever wondered why that bass bit and spit so quickly? Did he taste the salt and remember the previous experience?
To answer the question for now, absolutely. In some circumstances. This title intrigued me enough to get in to content. I'll have to watch and recomment later.
It's an interesting discussion, as an experienced bait maker I do not enjoy working with salt from a process standpoint.
@@WorldsWorstFishing I can respect that
For me its about practicality, and its not practical to have a bait that breaks apart really easy after one or two bites. Doesn't justify me paying for baits that aren't durable. And the sinking plastisol from deadOn is really good without adding filler, falls more naturally
I also use salt to cloud my top layer of some of my colored laminates
Interesting
I didn't know salt was in the plastic itself I thought it was just coated in salt for the scent/taste instead of having gross scent juice dripping on you. I haven't been fishing since I was a kid and never never caught anything with lures because I didn't know what I was doing. Now 10 years later I felt like going out again actually try to catch something now I have more of an idea on what i'm doing and still have all my old stuff and tacklebox from 10 years ago still full of salt scattered over everything from these stupid things.
I typically want the softest heaviest baits I can get without having to add lead or tungsten. I also like the color change and the texture difference of added salt. I recently started making my own baits due to your videos so think you for giving me another outlet to spend money in this sport lol…
😆😆
I kind of like that rough look it gets once some of the salt has dissolved or the bait gets roughed up- gives it a sort of matt finish, dulls it out a little- more natural looking.
For me salt is really for density. For example on the caffeine Shad by strike king the action wouldn’t be the same without salt and with a weighted Texas hook. And you can also cast them further away
OK, I really like Yamamoto Senkos. I've caught a lot of fish with them. Some of my best days were Senko days. But for almost 2 years I have been making my own baits. all hand pour. I DON'T LIKE adding salt. Using salt when handpouring is awful. Plastic cools too fast, is too thick for smaller baits, the salt does not suspend well in the pouring cup and a struggle with bubbles. (Usually end up with a cup of salt with some plastisol when done) I've been using Dead On black bucket and found that it doesn't sink quite fast enough in current. I've started adding a little bit of salt to stick worms lately, but not a fan.
There wasn’t a bunch of options in plastic or buoyancy of plastic, when the old worms like senko came out. Now that it’s the number one selling, most used lure on earth, would be pretty stupid to change the formula
Salt probably not cheaper than plasticizers for those large manufacturers and they most likely use more dye to make lures with salt but I agree is does make them less durable thus people buy more.
It's way cheaper than plastisol compound
I prefer a scent over salt but my absolute favorite worm is a strike king ocho that does have salt in it. I prefer it for the coffee scent but as I throw it mostly weightless the faster sinking helps and they are one $4 a bag and seem to stand up well. Yamamotos are overpriced lol
I’m not paying 8$ a bag for something that’s going to get lost or destroyed by a fish. That’s nuts I don’t care how good it is. In my own opinion , the best two baits besides zoom and yum is 6th sense line of soft plastics and z-man. I love z-man! And the 6th sense divine shaky worm! Good point on the salt making baits cheap to make and then selling them for more money. It’s all about marketing.
I have thought that the Yamamoto senko's light up in the water, now I know its the salt, what if the fish like that effect ?
Can anyone buy baits from him ? Realy nice stuff ! Came a long way ! Iv been watching from the start !!
in my opinion its due to a lot of reasons but for me i lie to flip weightless texas rigged worms the salt helps me get a little weight to my casts and how it sinks plus i think the fish hold on for the taste just like when people would add coffee to the bait
It’s the shimmy when there sinking with a hook the sinko shimmes a lot better than any others
Thanks for doing my homework
What I noticed was during the stick worm salted sink test was yours had a lot more flutter on the fall than the yamamoto . thats the action that catches fish
I definitely agree
On your salt. If you are paying more for the Lureworks fine flake, you don't have to. Fine salt is just salt that has been ground down. You can do the same thing in a home blender with any salt you have. So get the cheapest. As far as moisture, put the salt in the oven on a baking sheet for a while to get the water out. I don't know how long it would take, but you can't burn salt, so the longer and hotter, the better.
Yeah you can usually take the moisture out of the salt before you actually use it, but it will attract moisture in the final product and you will still have some unwanted side effects from that
I am neither for or against salt. I like a bait that has a good action, moderate salt, abd a lot of sent.
What brand does that best would you say?
@@WorldsWorstFishing I use Googan baits., Strike King, Z-man, and Zoom.Most of the Time I use Strike King.
A weightless stick bait is my confidence lure! The Yamamoto and Strike King in my opinion catch more fish and they have more salt in them than others! They work, but yeah, the durability is worse! If i had the $$, I'd always buy them!
Would love to see more footage of the baits actions underwater
Me too haha
I only use salt in my stickbaits. Hard to not try and duplicate the "standard" aka senko when so many tournaments have been won on them and anglers have confidence in them. Yes it is a pain in the butt, you need a vac chamber and a hot air gun to rid the bubbles but once you learn the tricks it's easy. I have said it before, don't be afraid of salt.
Nothing to fear that's for sure
You should heat up the salt before adding it. About 80-100C owen for like 30min should do the trick. Assuming that salt is put evenly on flat surface during heating. No more moisture bubbles.
ooh, well, you should not use salt, but if you are going to, do it right :D
I love scent on mine like creed aventus , that’s how you catch the big ole girls lol 😂😂naw just pickin . But I do like salt in my senkos but not on regular ribbon tail or brush hog type baits . But I believe your right never thought of it as a filler and boy you can go through some Yamamotos quick. What about sugar I wonder if you could use it instead of salt for the fish with a sweet tooth
What can you use if you want a lighter color without adding salt?
No salt. Not once have I ever caught more fish with salt than without. To me, I want a slower sinking stick bait so it can do its thing longer on the fall. I think salt is just a way to catch fisherman.
And I don't even think it does that
Well…. Fish don’t have any money but fishermen sure do 😂
Really interesting and informative video. Thank you
Question: Do you use the featherweight plastic when pouring frogs? NO SALT
I use black bucket for my buzz frogs..the retrieve speed keeps them on the surface, definitely no salt
Well salts are used in bait cures. Specific salts have strike provoking properties. So yes you can use any salt but you probably don’t want to use any salt you probably want a very specific blend of salts and you probably want a certain amount to give off the right taste in the water that might mimic say the salt from blood or organs.
Pickling salt would give you a much finer crystal.
I add salt to my stick worms for weight. The worm weighs more with salt and I can cast a salted stick worm farther than non salted.
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hard to argue with the popularity of the Yamamoto senko. all these test aside, which one catches more fish? that's the only test im interested in and if I like it or not is meaningless. also if we're making our own baits does it really Matter if they tear easier?
Great video. Was wondering if the senko mold you use is the lurecraft mold. Am just starting out. Thanks
Have You Tested How Much Floating Additive / Beads Per Cup Of Plastic It Takes To Completely Float a Frog With a Proper Sized Hook Thanks If You Have Done It Already Can You Give Me The Link So i Can Watch it Thanks
I'd be interested to see the googan baits along with the zoom and Yamamoto baits. I use yum baits the most but I'm in canada googans aren't easily found up here you have to order them and its pricey
I don’t use salt in my baits unless someone wants it. I don’t use salt in anything i make for my self and i don’t think it makes a difference in fish catches. Some manufacturers will put salt in the bait bags, what does this do? Like you said probably a money thing. Good info!
Makes them not stick together
Salt in the bait bags is supposed to keep the baits from sticking together. At least that's one reason given
Bella prova.complimenti!
I’d be willing to bet that 90% of it is that salt is a cheap filler, the other 10% is so they can slap “loads of salt!!!” on the package for the people that think it matters.
hehe yep
I'm about 50/50 on salt baits in heavy cover I want it to sink fast and in brush and rock cover I want it to sink slow
I would love to see a live stream of you making at least 1 run of EVERY MOLD you own. 🎣🇺🇸🎣 maybe make colors the fans on the stream come up with.
I personally go for scent vs. salt. I think of it this way, are you more likely to eat a pizza that is salty or eat it because it smells good? Also I'd rather have a bait that can catch multiple fish than a bait that tears with one fish bite that you might not even hook, but it tore that bait up anyways. Gets expensive.
Very informative video thanks