Lunker Research Blog

Category: Soft Plastic Baits

  • Nephthys Sandworm

    Nephthys Sandworm

    Nephthys sandworms are burrowing predators who live in the beach sand near the high tide line. They are quick and highly specialized to their burrowing habits.

    These interesting polychelate worms are a staple food for many species around Southern California that live in the intertidal and nearshore zones.

    While the worms burrow they are hunting for grunion eggs, juvenile invertebrates, diatoms, and any other small prey items. They will also scavenge on larger dead prey items.

    This mold design I have come up with should allow me to make 8″ long sandworm styled baits.

  • Mysid Shrimp

    Mysid Shrimp

    I have been going through my list of bait ideas and really like how this turned out so far!

    Many fish species feed heavily on these shrimp with it making up the bulk of the diet of many large sportfish when they can find large aggregations of these tiny shrimp.

    There is still a bit of work to do with adding some more details to the design but like I said I couldn’t be happier with how this is coming along.

    Hopefully I will get around to making the mold pretty soon!

  • Chunky Twin Tail

    Chunky Twin Tail

    These have been a design that I have had in mind for a very long time.


    Scampi style baits have always produced well for me and I have never understood why nobody makes them with a chunky ribbed body form instead of the worms and swimbait like shapes.


    The mold has vents that are a little too aggressive but I was not sure how well the segments would fill out or if bubbles would be a problem. A little flashing is not a big deal at all!

    On to the next bait design!

  • Super Realistic Squid Bait

    Super Realistic Squid Bait

    After looking around at the options on the market for realistic soft plastic squid baits I was less than inspired by them and set about designing my own. This was my first prototype.

    After a few more attempts I started getting results I was really happy with.

  • Starting In Soft Plastics

    Starting In Soft Plastics

    I have always tinkered with fishing gear and modifying what I could buy to catch me more fish. My first custom soft plastic design was for an invention fair in 6th grade.

    That was a rather crude attempt at a twin curly tail worm but it has always stuck with me as a great fish catching design. My first attempt at making a soft plastic bait mold was early last year and replicated that early effort from my childhood.

    This was not a very well designed, machined, or thought out mold but I still managed to make a couple baits with it!

    These managed to catch a couple rather large barred surf perch despite their very obvious issues with bubbles and overcooked plastisol.