Anyone know of a type of paint to try to repair a Huddleston? Also, is Pro Glue (I think that is what it is called) the best to repair tears? Where can I get whatever glue you recommend?

I'm also looking for any ROF so if you know anyone who has them (including used but still usable) I'd appreciate it.

Don't let your worm dangle,

LW

Repainting them is an interesting topic but I don't know if you'll get an answer there. There are only a few guys painting plastic baits and although there's a lot of talk about it on www.tackleunderground.com, There isn't a lot of detail on what/how to do it. Try this thread, it was the best one that came up when I searched

http://www.tackleunderground.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=421&highlight=paintagain

Repairing rips and tears... I've been using super glue gel for general rips/tears. If you're glueing back together the spot where the hook goes in, superglue is bad becuase it makes it hard. Better to mix up a little clear plastic in a pyrex cup in the microwave, then pour it in the tear. Just be careful not to scorch the plastic in the microwave or your house will smell really really really bad. You can do this over and over if need be. The Stocker Trout guys taught me that trick.

Rob:

Not on the repair topic of this bait, but with regard to this bait none the less, have you tried rigging them with a Owner frog hook in lieu of two trebles? The hook fits nicely on the belly and you can pin the hook to the belly of the bait with a paper clip wedged between the spacing of the two hooks.

Dave
;-)

Here is the Pro Glue site: http://www.prosoftbaitglue.com/index.html

Dan

"Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less"

Deo Vindice

The frog hook thing is interesting but I haven't tried it. I like the hook points as close to the head as possible on the rubber baits and the frog hook puts them pretty far back.

Thanks Swimbait

Don't let your worm dangle,

LW

Thanks Dan

Don't let your worm dangle,

LW

Rob,

I have a bunch of swimbaits I need to repair, mostly where the hooks are and the stinger hooks are. Youre right, super glue doesnt work in these spots.

Could you expand a little more on how to microwave plastic to use in this situation. What kind of plastic, where can I get some, etc.?

Preface: I am not an expert at plastic pouring/mixing/etc

Hack method for bait repair is as follows...

Take some old plastic baits, preferably clear or clear with silver flake. Do not use baits that are salt impregnated. Big Hammers work good for doing this. Any of Rago's plastic baits work good too. Chop the baits up into small pieces and put them in a small pyrex cup.

Put that in the microwave for 2 minutes. Watch the plastic the entire time. You'll see it melt down and turn to liquid. Give it maybe 15-30 seconds after it liquifies before you stop the microwave. If you see it start to smoke or scorch, stop immediately.

Use a hot mitt, grab the cup and stir the plastic with a wooden stick or whatever you have handy. Stir it quickly and immediately pour some into the hole in your bait. Sometimes I cut away the torn plastic around where the hook goes in so its a cleaner pour. It also helps if you prop the bait up between two objects so that you can pour immediately and not risk pouring it on your hand. It only takes a little bit of plastic so pour it slowly and just try to make a little raised bump of plastic on the spot but remember, the hotter the plastic is the better it will bond to the bait. If you pour the plastic when its kinda gooey it won't stick to the lure as well. The plastic will probably drip down the side of the bait so just do what you can to control it. It'll dry pretty fast. Typically I make a mess every time I do it, but it does work and will make your baits last longer.

To add to Rob's answer. It is better to not use wood to stir. I like to use a spoon handle. the wood can cause bubbles. before you pour in the hot plastic you should rub some vasoline on the areas that the plastic might over run on. Also for a better bond heat up a piece of wire like a hanger and insert it into the hole. This will help the new hot plastic bond.

www.mattlures.com

Not sure why you need glue. I have always repaired plastics with a lighter. Simply fold the lure where the tear is and heat both sides until they liquify slightly. Then fold back to original shape and hold for about a minute till the plastic cools. For major tears you can do the same thing one little section at a time. Don't worry about minor flame ups just blow them out and continue. I have put Castaic soft-baits that were torn in half back together and then fished them for months without further repair. You can repair some pretty deep holes this way without the drawbacks of glue (hard spots and spots that wont stretch anymore). My .02