Learn the Art of Soft Plastic Bait Making:
Personalized Lessons in Lake St. Louis, MO
Unlock the secrets of making your own custom soft plastic fishing baits! My goal is to provide an in-depth, educationally focused experience that truly equips you with the knowledge and skills to create your own high-quality soft plastic baits. These private, two-hour sessions are dedicated to building your bait-making expertise and confidence in a relaxed, fun, and hands-on environment.
Why Learn from an Expert?
With over 30 years of hands-on bait-making experience and a deep passion for custom lure creation, I bring a wealth of practical knowledge to every lesson. As the owner and operator of a fishing tackle company, I intimately understand the nuances of bait design, production, and what truly makes a lure effective. My background also includes over 40 years of fishing experience, seven years as a fishing guide on several of Southern California's premier big bass trophy lakes, and years working aboard So. Cal saltwater sportfishing boats. Plus, my eight years in the youth sports training industry mean I excel at working with individuals of all ages and skill levels, especially beginners. You'll be learning from a truly dedicated, patient, and passionate bait maker.
Lessons Tailored Just For You:
My lessons provide a comprehensive foundation in the art and science of soft plastic lure making, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and excited to learn, regardless of their current experience. We'll begin with essential safety protocols for working with hot plastisol, then dive deep into the properties of different plastisol types, and explore various colorants (liquid, powder, glitter) and performance-enhancing additives (scents, UV enhancers, softeners, hardeners). You'll learn about the essential equipment needed to begin bait making on your own, master accurate temperature control for heating and curing, and understand how density, hardness, and sink rate influence lure action.
Beyond the fundamentals, we'll explore various mold types (open-pour, injection) and mold materials (aluminum, silicone, resin). You'll master advanced pouring techniques, including single-color, layered, swirl, and laminate pours, along with injector use. We'll delve into sophisticated color layering, multi-cavity mold techniques, precise scent and additive integration, and troubleshooting common pouring issues. My expertise truly shines in replicating specific actions and profiles, and in understanding material properties to achieve baits that outperform commercial options. I'll guide you through advanced pouring methods, specialized material uses, and nuanced finishing techniques to help you unlock the true potential of your custom soft plastic creations.
Hands on Learning:
All lessons are by appointment only and conducted in-person in Lake Saint Louis, offering practical, hands-on learning in a dedicated space. These lessons make a fun individual or family activity, or a unique gift! Private individual lessons are available for $75 per two-hour lesson, while two people can learn together for $100 per two-hour lesson. I can help you get the most out of your custom bait making journey!
Ready to Start Making Your Own Baits?
Scheduling your personalized soft plastic bait making lesson is easy! Simply text me at 314-485-9879. From there, we can text back and forth or set up a quick phone call for our initial conversation. During that chat, we'll discuss your current experience level, and specific goals, whether it's learning the fundamentals of pouring or mastering advanced techniques. This allows me to create a custom curriculum tailored precisely to your needs, ensuring you get the most out of every minute and leave truly prepared to create your own high-performance soft plastic baits.
Why Learn from an Expert?
With over 30 years of hands-on bait-making experience and a deep passion for custom lure creation, I bring a wealth of practical knowledge to every lesson. As the owner and operator of a fishing tackle company, I intimately understand the nuances of bait design, production, and what truly makes a lure effective. My background also includes over 40 years of fishing experience, seven years as a fishing guide on several of Southern California's premier big bass trophy lakes, and years working aboard So. Cal saltwater sportfishing boats. Plus, my eight years in the youth sports training industry mean I excel at working with individuals of all ages and skill levels, especially beginners. You'll be learning from a truly dedicated, patient, and passionate bait maker.
Lessons Tailored Just For You:
My lessons provide a comprehensive foundation in the art and science of soft plastic lure making, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and excited to learn, regardless of their current experience. We'll begin with essential safety protocols for working with hot plastisol, then dive deep into the properties of different plastisol types, and explore various colorants (liquid, powder, glitter) and performance-enhancing additives (scents, UV enhancers, softeners, hardeners). You'll learn about the essential equipment needed to begin bait making on your own, master accurate temperature control for heating and curing, and understand how density, hardness, and sink rate influence lure action.
Beyond the fundamentals, we'll explore various mold types (open-pour, injection) and mold materials (aluminum, silicone, resin). You'll master advanced pouring techniques, including single-color, layered, swirl, and laminate pours, along with injector use. We'll delve into sophisticated color layering, multi-cavity mold techniques, precise scent and additive integration, and troubleshooting common pouring issues. My expertise truly shines in replicating specific actions and profiles, and in understanding material properties to achieve baits that outperform commercial options. I'll guide you through advanced pouring methods, specialized material uses, and nuanced finishing techniques to help you unlock the true potential of your custom soft plastic creations.
Hands on Learning:
All lessons are by appointment only and conducted in-person in Lake Saint Louis, offering practical, hands-on learning in a dedicated space. These lessons make a fun individual or family activity, or a unique gift! Private individual lessons are available for $75 per two-hour lesson, while two people can learn together for $100 per two-hour lesson. I can help you get the most out of your custom bait making journey!
Ready to Start Making Your Own Baits?
Scheduling your personalized soft plastic bait making lesson is easy! Simply text me at 314-485-9879. From there, we can text back and forth or set up a quick phone call for our initial conversation. During that chat, we'll discuss your current experience level, and specific goals, whether it's learning the fundamentals of pouring or mastering advanced techniques. This allows me to create a custom curriculum tailored precisely to your needs, ensuring you get the most out of every minute and leave truly prepared to create your own high-performance soft plastic baits.