Yes, for most anglers, making your own soft plastic baits is worth it. A single gallon of plastisol makes roughly 415 five-inch stick baits, which would cost about $328 to buy at retail. Your mold and supplies will pay for themselves in the first few sessions; after that, every bait will only cost pennies.
Here is the honest math, plus the non-money reasons bait makers say it is worth it.
The cost math
Store-bought stick baits run about $8 for a bag of 10, or roughly $0.80 per bait. To match the 415 five-inch stick baits you can pour from one gallon of plastisol, you would buy about 41 bags, which is around $328.
Pouring them yourself, your main costs are the plastisol, color, and salt or scent, which come out to a small fraction of that per bait once you are set up. The mold and tools are a one-time cost that spreads across every bait you will ever pour.
What you spend up front
- A mold (one-time cost).
- Plastisol (a gallon goes a long way; buy smaller while learning).
- Colorant and glitter (a little lasts a long time).
- Basic tools: a microwave or hot plate, a thermometer, measuring cups, and safety gear.
- An injector only if you choose an injection mold.
A starter kit bundles most of this, which is usually the cheapest way to reach break-even.
When it pays off
If you fish a lot and lose or replace baits often, the payback is fast, often within the first few pouring sessions. If you only fish a few times a year, the savings are smaller, and the appeal is more about customization and the hobby. The more you fish with soft plastics, the more obvious the value.
The reasons beyond money
- Custom colors and laminates create colors the store does not carry.
- Control over salt, scent, and durometer to match the conditions you fish in.
- No more running out of baits. Have your confidence color all-season.
- The satisfaction of catching fish on a bait you made, which is why most people never go back.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does making your own baits save?
A gallon of plastisol yields about 415 five-inch stick baits, roughly $328 at retail. Your per-bait cost drops to pennies once your one-time mold and tools are covered.
How long until a bait mold pays for itself?
For anglers who fish soft plastics regularly, often within the first few pouring sessions.
Is it cheaper to make or buy soft plastics?
Making them is far cheaper per bait at volume. Buying is simpler if you rarely fish plastics.
What is the cheapest way to start?
An open pour mold (no injector needed) or an all-in-one starter kit.
See for yourself
The fastest path to break-even is a starter kit. New to the process? Read our beginner's guide to making soft plastic baits or browse molds by category.
By the Angling A.i. team