2 Cheap Soft Plastic Bait Molds
Making your own soft plastic baits can be an awesome way to save lots of money by reusing old, torn up baits or plastics that you simply don’t plan on using.
Melting them down and pouring them into a mold turns an unusable bait into a brand new, fish catching soft plastic.
Making your own soft plastics also allows you to perfectly personalize the colors and patterns of baits to your own liking.
Not to mention, it is just a lot of fun making baits and catching fish on your own personal work.
The only problem is that most soft plastic molds on the market are super expensive and make the money saving aspect of bait making completely obsolete.
So we have found a couple cheap soft plastic bait molds that give you all the same bait making benefits without breaking the bank.
Best Cheap Molds:
Both of these mold companies are made by the same parent manufacturer, so they are essentially the exact same in quality and design.
Really the only difference is that they offer some slightly different bait options. There is a lot of overlap in molds that they offer, but there are also some that are unique to each brand.
1. Smedioks Stone Molds
Price: $26-40 depending on bait style and mold quantity
Smedioks molds for casting are manufactured on high-precision CNC machine using 3D models. Each Smedioks molds is quality controlled. Trial casting of baits in the factory confirms the quality.
Making a lure with injection mold will require some level of trial and error from you, as each lure is different.
Using of different types and grades of plastisol will require changes in the mold procedure, taking into account the characteristics of each type of plastisol.
Experiment with plastisol temperature, injection pressure and holding time to find the optimal forming parameters. More detailed instructions are included with the mold.
- MADE IN UKRAINE
- MATERIAL: Enginered stone. Stone powded mixed with polymers to create a low-porous and durable material, which is a perfect fit for soft plastic lure molds.
- INJECTION: Standard 5/8″. This size unsures compatibility with most injectors.
- LUBRICATION: Recommended. For best results use silicone grease.
- DETAILED BAIT DESIGN . Fine level of detail comparable with aluminium molds and far better than sikicone molds.
- SMART AIR VENTS design to release air and make sure that soft plastic fills all details of the mold.
- Using only one lure mold and different additives you can make a soft plastic lure kit such as ice fishing lures, saltwater lures, freshwater lures, bass lures, etc.
The end-product soft lure included in the sale just for example.
2. Best NJ Stone Molds
Price: $20-36 depending on bait style and mold quantity
The molds for casting are manufactured on high-precision CNC machine using 3D models. Each mold is quality controlled. We make trial casting, which confirms the quality.
Making a lure with injection mold will require some level of trial and error from you, as each lure is different.
Using of different types and grades of plastisol will require changes in the mold procedure, taking into account the characteristics of each type of plastisol.
Experiment with plastisol temperature, injection pressure and holding time to find the optimal forming parameters. More detailed instructions are included with the mold.
- MADE IN UKRAINE
- MATERIAL: Enginered stone. Stone powded mixed with polymers to create a low-porous and durable material, which is a perfect fit for soft plastic lure molds.
- INJECTION: Standard 5/8″. This size unsures compatibility with most injectors.
- LUBRICATION: Recommended. For best results use silicone grease.
- DETAILED BAIT DESIGN . Fine level of detail comparable with aluminium molds and far better than sikicone molds.
- SMART AIR VENTS design to release air and make sure that soft plastic fills all details of the mold.
- Using only one lure mold and different additives you can make a soft plastic lure kit such as ice fishing lures, saltwater lures, freshwater lures, bass lures, etc.
The end-product soft lure included in the sale just for example.
Best Cheap Soft Plastic Injector
1.5 OZ Soft Plastic Injector
Metal injector has a standard 5/8″ (16 mm) nozzle diameter, which is compatible with most engineered stone or aluminum bait moIds.
Both the nozzle and piston have a rubber sealing o-ring to prevent plastisol (soft plastic) from leaking.
When using this injector please be sure to wear gloves since injector gets hot from the plastisol inside.
The primary usage of this injector is to cast fishing injection bait moIds with hot plastisol (soft plastic) to create DIY baits.
Attention: Pull the handle up very strongly before use, as the grease hardens in the cold
The plastic handle may differ from that shown in the photo, have a different shape
Advantages of Making Your Own Baits
1. Total Customization
Commercial brands have to cater to the masses, but you only have to cater to your local fish.
- Unique Colorways: You can create “secret” colors that fish in pressured waters haven’t seen a thousand times. Think hyper-specific flake combinations or laminates (two-tone baits).
- Scent and Salt Control: Most mass-produced baits have a standard salt content. DIY allows you to make “super-floaters” with no salt or heavy-sinking sticks by loading them up. You can also cook the scent directly into the plastic rather than just coating the bag.
2. Tailored Performance (Plastic Hardness)
When you buy a bag of worms, you get one Shore hardness. When you pour your own, you choose the blend:
- Super Soft: For maximum action and wiggle in finesse situations (Drop shotting).
- Medium: The “all-around” durability for Texas rigs.
- Hard: For “toad” style baits or swimbaits that need to withstand high speeds and thick cover.
3. Long-Term Cost Savings
While the upfront cost (plasti-sol, molds, injectors, and a microwave) requires an investment, the cost per bait drops significantly over time.
- A bag of high-end stick baits can cost $8.00 for 8 worms ($1.00 each).
- Once you have the gear, DIY baits often cost between $0.10 and $0.25 per bait.
4. Recycling Old Baits
This is perhaps the most practical perk. Instead of throwing away torn-up worms or used lizards, you can cut them up, melt them back down, and inject them into a brand-new mold. It’s the ultimate “green” way to fish.
5. The “I Caught It on My Own” Factor
There is a unique psychological edge and sense of pride that comes from catching a personal best on a lure you designed and poured yourself. It turns fishing from a hobby into a true craft.
Reeling this In
Custom bait making doesn’t have to be a hobby reserved for those with industrial budgets. By opting for high-quality engineered stone molds from brands like Smedioks or Best NJ, you can bypass the “aluminum tax” while still achieving professional-grade detail and performance.
Whether you’re looking to recycle a bin full of torn-up worms or you want to engineer a “secret weapon” colorway for your local pond, the math is simple: lower upfront costs plus a lower cost-per-bait equals more money for gas and tackle.
Final Takeaways:
- Start Small: Grab a versatile stone mold and a standard 5/8″ injector to learn the ropes.
- Experiment: Don’t be afraid to play with plastic hardness and scent—it’s the key to out-fishing the guy using store-bought bags.
- Safety First: Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling hot plastisol.
Now that you have the gear list, it’s time to fire up the microwave and start pouring. There’s no better feeling in fishing than fooling a lunker on a bait that you brought to life.
