Have you ever wondered how are soft plastic lures made? Every time you tie on a soft plastic and cast into a South African dam, a careful process put that lure together. At Custom Bait Shack, we build every lure by hand. Here is an honest look at how we do it.
How Are Soft Plastic Lures Made — The Full Process
We make soft plastic lures from a liquid compound called plastisol. First, we heat it to the right temperature. Then we add colour pigment and mix it thoroughly. Next, we pour the mixture into precision moulds. Finally, we inspect each lure and pack it for delivery.
That process sounds simple. However, the craft lies in the details. Small differences in temperature, timing, and pigment ratios all change the finished product.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Material
We start every lure with premium plastisol. This PVC-based material gives soft plastics their flexible quality. We use quality-grade plastisol because it produces lures with the softness serious anglers need.
Cheap plastisol tears easily. Moreover, it creates a stiffer action that bass do not respond to. Premium material costs more, but the difference shows up immediately in the water.
We heat our plastisol to between 160°C and 180°C. Temperature control is therefore critical — too hot and the material burns, too cool and the lure loses its strength.
Step 2: Mixing Colours and Additives
We mix concentrated pigment directly into the heated plastisol. The ratio we use determines the colour intensity. In addition, combining multiple pigments creates laminate colour breaks that make custom lures distinctive.
We also add glitter, salt, or scent attractants where required. South African bass anglers know how dramatically colour choice affects catch rates. Our ultimate guide to bass fishing soft plastics in South Africa covers colour selection in full detail.
Step 3: The Moulds
We use precision-engineered moulds that capture every detail of the lure profile. For example, a swimbait mould captures the exact tail taper. A creature bait mould includes every ridge and appendage. A stick bait mould controls the thickness gradient precisely.
We clean each mould between pours. This ensures every lure meets our quality standard consistently. We can also work with custom mould profiles for anglers who want something unique.
Step 4: Pouring the Lures
We pour the heated plastisol carefully into each mould cavity. Then we allow it to cure at room temperature. Pour speed, temperature, and timing all affect the final product. For two-colour lures, we make multiple pours in sequence. As a result, we create natural colour breaks that mimic real baitfish.
An experienced pourer understands exactly how the plastic flows during curing. They adjust their technique to eliminate air pockets and ensure even, complete fills.
Step 5: Quality Control and Packing
We inspect every single lure before we pack it. We check for air bubbles, incomplete fills, colour consistency, and tail action. Lures that do not meet our standard never reach customers.
We pack approved lures in resealable bags with clear labelling. This keeps them fresh and prevents colour bleed in transport.
Why Hand-Poured Lures Outperform Factory Options
Factory lines produce lures quickly. However, they cannot offer small colour runs, custom pigment mixes, or unique profiles. Hand-pouring gives us full control at every step.
When you order from Custom Bait Shack, you get a lure built to your exact specification. That means the colour that works in your local dam and the action that suits how you prefer to fish. Understanding bass behaviour is how we design lures that trigger strikes on purpose. For tournament-legal specifications, visit BASSASA.
Ready to try lures made the right way? Browse our range at www.custombaitshack.co.za.