VORTEX PLUGS

[FEAR NO FISH!]

First off, take all split rings and hooks off. Super glue every seam at least twice. Glue the bill seams. Glue where the hook attachments are. After that, add bigger split rings and gamakatsu #4 hooks. After installing batteries, add a dallop of aquarium sealant on top of batteries and then screw lid on until snug. Do not overtighten. Let plug set up while driving to dam.
If you have a leaker move on to next plug you have made up. I set up 6-8 vortexes a night. It gets expensive, but who cares. Anything for a big rip! If you have a leaker pull the batteries out right away and tap tap tap the water out. Then start over as if it was a new plug. Glue, Glue, Glue! If anybody makes a better vortex they will make a mint! Sadu strobes,litefish just don't get it. :depressed: I have contacted vortex many times. They told me they only have a 5% failure rate. I think what they meant was a 5% success rate on leakers. They have very poor Q.C. I told them what the problems were and what I have to do to make them work but it fell upon deaf ears. Lets make a better vortex!

[ 11-07-2001: Message edited by: FEAR NO FISH! ]</p>

[Coot22]

here is a tip...THROW THEM AWAY. I have had nothing but problems with them. However, if you buy the new plug that has the exact same concept as the Vortex, you will be pleased. It is called the SADU Strobe and it costs the same as the Vortex. The difference between them is that the sadu strobe is not battery operated. Its light only flashes when the plug is put in the water and begins to move. It is a solid mold so no water will ever leak in. Take a look at it...you will be pleased.

[Backlash2]

........except the Sadu's don't catch fish as well as Vortex's :grin:

There FEAR!, I saved you the hassle of having to say it

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Thanks Backlash,
Coot 22 when those first came out I thought they were the answer to my prayers. Trouble is they don't blink fast enough. In a given distance they only blink half as fast. A vortex blinks at a rate of approx 140 blinks a minute. A sadu strobe does half that. Then the litefish came out. I thought wow, here it is. Sadly they did not out produce the vortex either. This year we have hooked 172 steelhead and landed 127 on vortexes. That will go up tonight and tomorrow night also. :grin:

[Thumper]

I gotta bunch of Sadu Strobes, free to good home. They just don't cut it. I did hook a couple of Wind River fish on them, but no joy since then.

[NAUTI-NOTIONS]

ANYONE HAVE ANY TIPS OR SECERTS ON KEEPING THE WATER OUT OF THE LURES.

[Got Fish?]

To help stop the leakage around the battary cap coat the inside with vasiline. (Make sure its not some wierd scented stuff) It repells the water from getting past the o-ring on the cap. I also heard that you should put some kind of paint around the places where the screws go into the lure. I suppose it helps reinforce it because if you get a fish in the net and it starts thrashing, that ten dollar lure you just bought is a goner. :depressed:

[RipDatLip]

Thumper, are you serious? I don't have any light plugs, only one glow-in-the-dark wiggle wart. I would be interested, as free is good, because money is an issue for a HS student.

Matt

[bait boy]

Hey Jack bring those thingys to the swap meet. I don't recall ever seeing one of them.....


Rick

[NAUTI-NOTIONS]

HERE THAT STEVE ,,, YOU'VE NOW CAUGHT CLOSE TO 1000 METALHEADS ON THINGIES,,, WOW,, AND I THOUGHT YOU HAD TALENT...SO ANYBODY WITH A THINGY CAN DO IT.

[ 11-08-2001: Message edited by: Bumper_Chrome ]</p>

[Vinny]

I know that FNF's advice sounds (is) exotic (past the middle of the "chart"), but when it comes to night fishin' . . .

. . . HE DA' MAN !!

[Thumper]

I'm bringing my 4-5 Sadu's to the tackle swap. One goes to Vinny....the rest to anybody who wants one.

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Bumper Chrome,
I just finished epoxying 15 vortex lures. MUST... GET... AIR!!!! Phew that stuff is strong. It says do not breathe vapors. I have been holding my breath for 1.5 hours. I think this stuff is the ticket for sealing those SOB'S. :grin:

[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: FEAR NO FISH! ]</p>

[Thumper]

FNF --- I have decided that you are one crazy ******, and I am so glad you are on this BB.

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Thumper,
I spend far to much prep time on those turds. Someday, somebody will build a better vortex and I will be the first to beat a path to their doors.
If I were a rich man, la di da di da dah. I would build the greatest lure, la di dah da da daaa! The room is starting to spin! Bikini's, hats, oh my! What a nice day! Did you get your 36 volt electric motor hooked up? How many skiers can you pull?
:grin:

[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: FEAR NO FISH! ]</p>

[Thumper]

The 36 V system is going in right now. Should be a fish-killing machine! I'll let you know.

[FEAR NO FISH!]

Yep, EPOXY is the way to go on sealing vortexes. Mix the two parts together and apply with toothpick. Go along every seam and around where bill enters body. Also apply around hook hangers. Takes 24 hours to cure completely. Makes a hard bond. I also found some stained glass paint at Fred meyers in clear Red. Great for customizing your vortexes. :grin:

[Vinny]

Epoxy sounds better than super glue. One of super glue's limitations is that; more than just a little is too much. Super should be good for something like gluing two halves together, but almost any epoxy should bond to the plasic well enough to seal it.

Are you scuffing (or cleaning) the surface prior to applying epoxy? Talk to you soon.

[NAUTI-NOTIONS]

FNF,
though I bow down to your wisdom in the vortex world. we tried a couple with super glue and a couple with clear finger polish. both seemed to work great until one of those metalheads do the head butt thing to it.
i guess next will be "JB WELD"

[Vinny]

JB WELD is king!
If it doesn't work, nothing will!