Go back to previous topic
Forum nameTackle and Boats
Topic subjectSwimbait Glue
Topic URLhttp://www.calfishing.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=12&topic_id=3204
3204, Swimbait Glue
Posted by dolf5, Wed Jun-13-07 05:50 PM
I have seen only one type of swimbait glue online. It's the one that Fish Chris has a link to on his site. Is this the only glue people use? Does "Zap a Gap" or another glue with an excellerator do the same thing?

3205, RE: Swimbait Glue
Posted by swimbait, Wed Jun-13-07 07:23 PM
What kind of swimbait are you wanting to glue?
3206, RE: Swimbait Glue
Posted by dolf5, Thu Jun-14-07 03:21 AM
Currently, a couple mission fish, 3:16 frogs, and a rago bluegill.
3207, RE: Swimbait Glue
Posted by swimbait, Thu Jun-14-07 10:15 AM
The soft bait glue works well in the sense that it glues plastic together really well, but my experience with it was that it was so viscous (liquidy) that it got on my fingers every time I tried to use it, and I kept gluing my hand to the lure.

If you're repairing tears in those baits you mentioned, super glue gel works well, and is easy to work with - but it's not good if you're repairing a spot where the hook enters the bait (it makes that spot crusty and causes it to tear more).

If you're repairing a spot where the hook enters the bait, you can try heating up some plastic in the microwave in a pyrex cup, and carefully pouring it over or in to the damaged area. Just make sure to wear an oven mitt and don't scorch the plastic.

Another option is to use PVC glue, the kind of glue used to attach PVC pipes. You can get it at the hardware store. My experience with this stuff was that it didn't bond super tight, and it got kind of wrinkly looking after a while, but it's not toooo bad.

One more method worth mentioning is to use a small pocket style blow torch to heat the plastic, then push the plastic back together. I've seen Rod Thigpin repair Stocker Trout this way and it works well. I've never tried it personally.
3208, RE: Swimbait Glue
Posted by magmaster, Fri Jun-15-07 06:47 PM
You can heat a butter knife too and use it to melt the plastic back together. I also use a small battery powered soldering iron with a really fine tip.

The Zap a Gap glue dries a little white on the plastic baits so avoid that stuff. The "Swimbait Glue" is difficult to work with because its so thin like Rob said.