How Cost Effective Is Making Your Own Senko's? 2024

youngangler274 reply :

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this post. I have a few questions, I have been fishing senko's a lot and as you all know, its expensive but it just plain catches fish. So I've been looking into cheaper alternatives, I have looked at off brand imitations but they just aren't as good. recently I have been looking into making my own. here are my questions:

1. truly how much cheaper is it really?

2. how time consuming is it?

3. how close are they too the real thing?

thanks for all the help

CJV reply :

On 7/15/2014 at 5:16 AM, youngangler274 said:

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this post. I have a few questions, I have been fishing senko's a lot and as you all know, its expensive but it just plain catches fish. So I've been looking into cheaper alternatives, I have looked at off brand imitations but they just aren't as good. recently I have been looking into making my own. here are my questions:

1. truly how much cheaper is it really?

2. how time consuming is it?

3. how close are they too the real thing?

thanks for all the help

It's not that much cheaper considering you will be investing a lot of your own time. Nothing will be the same as an original senko.

jhoffman reply :

Believe me, I entertained it too. If youre looking for something a little stronger try the zman or elaztech strike king one, it fishes well. NOTHING is like a real senko, they just dont fall right. I dont know what the formula is for that plastic but he has it right on the money, the salt content is another big question. Id rather have a box full of senkos that drop at the right speed then a box of crankbaits, I love crankbaits but NOTHING and I mean NOTHING outfishes a senko.

youngangler274 reply :

yeah this is what I was thinking. I am a young kid so I do have an abundance of time so I'm not worried about that. especially now that its summer (only for about another month for me) but I can probably crank out quite a few. I'll check out those zman and elastic strike king worms. thanks for the replies guys

Droppingshot reply :

Have you bought "mend it"? It will save you a ton of money on plastics. Fixes them very well.

Denea reply :

On 7/15/2014 at 5:16 AM, youngangler274 said:

I apologize if this is the wrong place for this post. I have a few questions, I have been fishing senko's a lot and as you all know, its expensive but it just plain catches fish. So I've been looking into cheaper alternatives, I have looked at off brand imitations but they just aren't as good. recently I have been looking into making my own. here are my questions:

1. truly how much cheaper is it really?

2. how time consuming is it?

3. how close are they too the real thing?

thanks for all the help

(1) I have been pouring my own plastics since 2010, and it has paid off big time for me (in the long run). In the beginning, you spend a lot getting all of your equipment (see below for a breakdown on pricing (give or take $5 depending on where you purchase it).

I have five (5) 5.25" Senko style molds (each is 5 cavities, injection molds) - $73.50 each
Calhoun's Medium Plastic 2.5 Gallon - $74.50 (my senkos last between 2-5 fish with a 3/0 hook through the top)
I have a large injector, medium injector, and a dual injector for laminates - I don't know the exact amounts on these, but the medium injector was around $50 (Large is probably $70-$75 and when I purchased the dual injector is was around $100)
Gloves (ones that can withstand heats of 300-400+ degrees if you get plastic on them) I use Hot Mill Gloves which can withstand 450 degrees ($5.50 at Bear's Baits - these are mainly for injection molds)
Eye wear and a painters mask are highly recommended. The plastic burns at high temps, and releases toxins which are hazardous
Pyrex cup (preferably a 2 cup size)

I have probably a total of $2,000 in everything that I have purchased over the years. I am doing this as a hobby and for me to have an unlimited supply of plastics. I also have craw, tubes, lizards, frogs, grubs molds which can run you anywhere between $50 to $150 per mold (depending on what you want).

It's a big initial investment in the beginning, but to me, in my opinion, the risk (money spent & time) has well been worth it.

(2) I just poured (on Saturday) 50 blue fleck with green glitter (.015 size) with 1.5 cups of plastic in 20 minutes. I can pump out 25 at a time with my 5 molds. I have poured as many as 500 baits in about 5-6 hours. I work overnights, so the night before I go back in, I stay up late and pour plastic.

(3) I had purchased GYCB back in 2008, and went through a ton of them. I was spending $50-$60/week just on senkos. I decided to pour my own. The plastic I use seems to be a little bit stronger, but can also depend on how hard the fish hammers it. My avatar shows my senko from a local pond.

If you're interested, I can send you some of my plastics I have poured. Just shoot me a PM, and I will send them out on Thursday or Friday (my weekend).

Hopefully this little bit of info help you out some.

youngangler274 reply :

On 7/15/2014 at 11:17 AM, Denea said:

(1) I have been pouring my own plastics since 2010, and it has paid off big time for me (in the long run). In the beginning, you spend a lot getting all of your equipment (see below for a breakdown on pricing (give or take $5 depending on where you purchase it).

I have five (5) 5.25" Senko style molds (each is 5 cavities, injection molds) - $73.50 each

Calhoun's Medium Plastic 2.5 Gallon - $74.50 (my senkos last between 2-5 fish with a 3/0 hook through the top)

I have a large injector, medium injector, and a dual injector for laminates - I don't know the exact amounts on these, but the medium injector was around $50 (Large is probably $70-$75 and when I purchased the dual injector is was around $100)

Gloves (ones that can withstand heats of 300-400+ degrees if you get plastic on them) I use Hot Mill Gloves which can withstand 450 degrees ($5.50 at Bear's Baits - these are mainly for injection molds)

Eye wear and a painters mask are highly recommended. The plastic burns at high temps, and releases toxins which are hazardous

Pyrex cup (preferably a 2 cup size)

I have probably a total of $2,000 in everything that I have purchased over the years. I am doing this as a hobby and for me to have an unlimited supply of plastics. I also have craw, tubes, lizards, frogs, grubs molds which can run you anywhere between $50 to $150 per mold (depending on what you want).

It's a big initial investment in the beginning, but to me, in my opinion, the risk (money spent & time) has well been worth it.

(2) I just poured (on Saturday) 50 blue fleck with green glitter (.015 size) with 1.5 cups of plastic in 20 minutes. I can pump out 25 at a time with my 5 molds. I have poured as many as 500 baits in about 5-6 hours. I work overnights, so the night before I go back in, I stay up late and pour plastic.

(3) I had purchased GYCB back in 2008, and went through a ton of them. I was spending $50-$60/week just on senkos. I decided to pour my own. The plastic I use seems to be a little bit stronger, but can also depend on how hard the fish hammers it. My avatar shows my senko from a local pond.

If you're interested, I can send you some of my plastics I have poured. Just shoot me a PM, and I will send them out on Thursday or Friday (my weekend).

Hopefully this little bit of info help you out some.

this helps a ton!!! thanks!

Comfortably Numb reply :

As said above. Minimum start up is a few hundred bucks.

With one 5 cavity mold you can make a pack in about 15 mins.

I have the GYBC salted formula down and baits are identical. I can also make a saltless version (special sinking additive) that is same as GYBC and catches 10++ fish per bait. I have caught up to 50 bass on one bait wacky rigged with an o-ring

Making baits is VERY addicting and you will end up buying more molds and colors. Most who do it will say its more of a hobby and not to save money.

sarcazmo reply :

People that say you cant get a fall like an original senko... I'm not sure I buy that.

There are A TON of recipes out there that will get you incredibly close if not identical. Often times a subtle difference in the bait you made could be the difference in triggering a spike.

Senkos use salt and silica powder, search around, you can find recipes that will get you a sweet shimmying action that weigh the same as a real 'senko' with similar plastic density/feel. Pretty sure do-it's HD additive is silica powder + softener. Makes a very close if not identical senko (no clear colors though, silica powder muddies it up a bit) and FAR more durable. A mix of the two is pretty good.

Making plastics can be cost effective, but you have to be VERY realistic. Most people typically use what, 5 lures max? If you buy those 5 molds, some plastic, only the colors you really use etc, its not that daunting an initial investment and it will pay off. However it doesnt work that way, I have at least a dozen molds now and I don't use half of them on a regular basis. Its a fun addiction.

wnybassman reply :

Oh, that was a serious question? lol

geo g reply :

I have fished real senkos for about ten years, and got tired of paying their outrageous prices. I went strictly to the BPS stick baits, especially the 4 inch ones, watermelon red, Okeechobee, black, and morning dawn. I have not dropped off the catch rate at all, they hold up better, and I have saved a bunch of money. No need to pay those prices. Its all hype!

Amarley reply :

It's definitely a volume game. To get a "real" senko type of bait, you need an injection system. I started hand-pouring plastics, but this is only really good for baits that have a flat side. Senkos definitely do not.

You'll need plastic- A gallon runs about $50, but makes about 500 5 inch senkos, so that's only $.10 apiece

Colorant- About $3-$4 per bottle, probably need to buy at least 5 bottles minimum for the basics- $20

Glitter- Another $3-4 per container, another 4 bottles here, so that's $12

The mold- A 5 inch mold is about $100 for injector, handpour is only about $12

The injector- I've seen these for about $50

The heating pot- $200

Facemask, glasses, gloves- $25

Let's call the startup costs about $400 because I'm sure I'm forgetting something. So your first round of 500 senkos will cost you $400 assuming they all come out perfect. You're at $1.25 per bait.

Now, your variable expenses going forward are the plastic, colorant and glitter. So every bait will cost you approximately $.20 in materials after the first investment. Assuming you're buying the Yamamoto Senkos for $7 per 10 ($.70 apiece), you could buy 57 packs of senkos for your start-up costs. You come ahead when you pour your 572nd senko assuming no waste.

So, the big question is, are you going to fish 572 senkos? Also, IMHO it will take you several gallons of plastic, hardener, softener and salt to get your formula right, and even then the quality probably won't match Yamamoto brand.

Just my two cents. Pouring plastics is addicting, you'll buy more molds, more colors, and more equipment unless you are extremely disciplined. This will change the analysis above every time you spend more on this new obsession!

Jig Man reply :

I hand pour mine. I like it better than injecting. I use a microwave $30. I gave $55 for the mold. I use Nor Por silicone cups about $7 each. So not counting plastisol, glitter and colorant I have less than $100 in them. I give $30/gallon for plastisol.

basscatcher8 reply :

Now they have the officially license Senko Mold from Do-It but still nobody has been able to nail the plastic mixture correctly yet.

Jig Man reply :

On 7/30/2014 at 12:38 AM, basscatcher8 said:
Now they have the officially license Senko Mold from Do-It but still nobody has been able to nail the plastic mixture correctly yet.

Oh some of us have it very very close if not exact.

gulfcaptain reply :

On 7/15/2014 at 10:03 AM, Droppingshot said:
Have you bought "mend it"? It will save you a ton of money on plastics. Fixes them very well.

I would suggest this. As long as you can get the bait back Mend-it does wonders on putting them back together and saving you money as well as being able to get a couple more fish out of each bait.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

MF makes a sinking plastic which gets close with no salt. A little salt added to it and softener and it gets real close. Also better coloration due to the less salt. I dont pour them anymore but the sinking plastic is the way to go. I use to pour a lot of them for the wife and I. I did a lot of testing in my aquarium before I even fished one of them.

bradc36 reply :

On 7/15/2014 at 11:17 AM, Denea said:

(1) I have been pouring my own plastics since 2010, and it has paid off big time for me (in the long run). In the beginning, you spend a lot getting all of your equipment (see below for a breakdown on pricing (give or take $5 depending on where you purchase it).

I have five (5) 5.25" Senko style molds (each is 5 cavities, injection molds) - $73.50 each

Calhoun's Medium Plastic 2.5 Gallon - $74.50 (my senkos last between 2-5 fish with a 3/0 hook through the top)

I have a large injector, medium injector, and a dual injector for laminates - I don't know the exact amounts on these, but the medium injector was around $50 (Large is probably $70-$75 and when I purchased the dual injector is was around $100)

Gloves (ones that can withstand heats of 300-400+ degrees if you get plastic on them) I use Hot Mill Gloves which can withstand 450 degrees ($5.50 at Bear's Baits - these are mainly for injection molds)

Eye wear and a painters mask are highly recommended. The plastic burns at high temps, and releases toxins which are hazardous

Pyrex cup (preferably a 2 cup size)

I have probably a total of $2,000 in everything that I have purchased over the years. I am doing this as a hobby and for me to have an unlimited supply of plastics. I also have craw, tubes, lizards, frogs, grubs molds which can run you anywhere between $50 to $150 per mold (depending on what you want).

It's a big initial investment in the beginning, but to me, in my opinion, the risk (money spent & time) has well been worth it.

(2) I just poured (on Saturday) 50 blue fleck with green glitter (.015 size) with 1.5 cups of plastic in 20 minutes. I can pump out 25 at a time with my 5 molds. I have poured as many as 500 baits in about 5-6 hours. I work overnights, so the night before I go back in, I stay up late and pour plastic.

(3) I had purchased GYCB back in 2008, and went through a ton of them. I was spending $50-$60/week just on senkos. I decided to pour my own. The plastic I use seems to be a little bit stronger, but can also depend on how hard the fish hammers it. My avatar shows my senko from a local pond.

If you're interested, I can send you some of my plastics I have poured. Just shoot me a PM, and I will send them out on Thursday or Friday (my weekend).

Hopefully this little bit of info help you out some.

Just read through this and I have been seriously considering doing this exact thing, but Denea lives a half hour away from me, there has to be better ways to go about this now.

Comfortably Numb reply :

On 7/30/2014 at 5:54 AM, Jig Man said:
Oh some of us have it very very close if not exact.

Plenty have the formula down. Just dont sell publicly

sarcazmo reply :

On 7/31/2014 at 4:41 AM, Comfortably Numb said:
Plenty have the formula down. Just dont sell publicly

WHy couldn't you sell publicly? As long as you don't call it a Senko or mention GY I'm sure you'd be fine.

Comfortably Numb reply :

Its a hobby now. I used to sell them but was too much time invested (as a part time business) for little profit. I actually had too many orders

Also nowhere to sell but Ebay, which is too competitve. Forums like this have paying sponsors and dont allow personal sales of home made baits, which does make sense.

Strothman reply :

This might be a dumb question, but if you get a mold for hand pouring "senkos," they will have have a flat side on them correct?

Strothman reply :

Scratch that comment, I found out for myself tonight,made one single sided hand pour mold, going to try and make a two sided one tomoro. I made one over a ribbet frog and there pretty cool I'd say. Next thing I'll know I'll have 5 injection molds and a corner in the shop designated to soft plastics

Comfortably Numb reply :

There are two sided aluminum fully round stick molds. They work fairly well but hard for me to get perfect baits every time/cavity.

Since those and injection molds are same price, better off going injection. Injectors are only $40 used. I have an extra if interested.

Comfortably Numb reply :

Newer mold company with great prices.

http://baitmolds.enforcermolds.com/molds/index.php?route=common/home

hoosierbass07 reply :

When you make soft plastics, are the fumes dangerous?

Comfortably Numb reply :

On 9/5/2014 at 8:19 PM, hoosierbass07 said:
When you make soft plastics, are the fumes dangerous?

Yes.

einscodek reply :

You guys REALLY love senkos

Why not load up on them on sale at the end of season every year then?

All that plastic equipment costs $$$ and time away from fishin'

Comfortably Numb reply :

Baut making is a hobby and should not be confued as a way to get cheaper baits.

enforcer reply :

there is cost efficiency in making ones own baits , the materials are fairly cheap , but most important is the resale value is quite high if the equipment is taken care of

during largie season I found that I shreaded so many baits that I needed to make my own . I've spent so many days after work and on the weekends that I averaged roughly 5-6 days on the water .

Cost of baits wasn't as much of a factor as selection and the reliability of the products still being on the shelf mid season , I loved the gulp worms and I'd easily blow thru a pack a week since the summer bassing here is soo productive , but I had too many experiences of them being sold out . So I looked into my own baits , plastic is relatively cheap and I simply started machining my own molds since I have the right machinery . Bait choice is almost instant , color of the day is at hand .

if affordability is a problem for a guy/gal , then there are a lot of materials that can be used to hand craft molds , a lot of people are using silicone bondo etc , Personally I found the two part urethane from smooth-on to be extremely tough , durable and fairly easy to work with . It's not as easy to have as perfect of baits as a machined aluminum mold , but at the end of the day we are probably more picky about our baits than the fish are . I made my first few molds with plasticine and urethane , I'd model the bait then cast it . It worked ok except the urethane gets pretty warm while curing and the plasticine melts some , so it was a bit of a mess to clean the finished product but where theres a will ............ .

I'm sure that any fly tyer will agree , we have more money worth of hooks , feathers and hair than if we just bought bags of flies at the tackle shop

Comfortably Numb reply :

Welcome to the site Enforcer.

I have been looking over your molds. They look like great quality at an affordable price.

enforcer reply :

Thanks for the welcome and the compliment .

AustinHellickson reply :

On 7/30/2014 at 11:25 PM, bradc36 said:

Just read through this and I have been seriously considering doing this exact thing, but Denea lives a half hour away from me, there has to be better ways to go about this now.

What is good cheap mold making material that gets you the full 3D effect of the senko or any soft plastic? I am looking for cheap molds to buy or the material.

nocellcontracts reply :

On 7/15/2014 at 11:17 AM, Denea said:

(1) I have been pouring my own plastics since 2010, and it has paid off big time for me (in the long run). In the beginning, you spend a lot getting all of your equipment (see below for a breakdown on pricing (give or take $5 depending on where you purchase it).

I have five (5) 5.25" Senko style molds (each is 5 cavities, injection molds) - $73.50 each

Calhoun's Medium Plastic 2.5 Gallon - $74.50 (my senkos last between 2-5 fish with a 3/0 hook through the top)

I have a large injector, medium injector, and a dual injector for laminates - I don't know the exact amounts on these, but the medium injector was around $50 (Large is probably $70-$75 and when I purchased the dual injector is was around $100)

Gloves (ones that can withstand heats of 300-400+ degrees if you get plastic on them) I use Hot Mill Gloves which can withstand 450 degrees ($5.50 at Bear's Baits - these are mainly for injection molds)

Eye wear and a painters mask are highly recommended. The plastic burns at high temps, and releases toxins which are hazardous

Pyrex cup (preferably a 2 cup size)

I have probably a total of $2,000 in everything that I have purchased over the years. I am doing this as a hobby and for me to have an unlimited supply of plastics. I also have craw, tubes, lizards, frogs, grubs molds which can run you anywhere between $50 to $150 per mold (depending on what you want).

It's a big initial investment in the beginning, but to me, in my opinion, the risk (money spent & time) has well been worth it.

(2) I just poured (on Saturday) 50 blue fleck with green glitter (.015 size) with 1.5 cups of plastic in 20 minutes. I can pump out 25 at a time with my 5 molds. I have poured as many as 500 baits in about 5-6 hours. I work overnights, so the night before I go back in, I stay up late and pour plastic.

(3) I had purchased GYCB back in 2008, and went through a ton of them. I was spending $50-$60/week just on senkos. I decided to pour my own. The plastic I use seems to be a little bit stronger, but can also depend on how hard the fish hammers it. My avatar shows my senko from a local pond.

If you're interested, I can send you some of my plastics I have poured. Just shoot me a PM, and I will send them out on Thursday or Friday (my weekend).

Hopefully this little bit of info help you out some.

How much does it cost per senko when you make your own?

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How Cost Effective Is Making Your Own Senko's? 2024

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