Hook Shank Length

[Micanopy]

I have finished the eyes and started attaching plastic baits. Everyone seems to like these smaller sized baits, and now that Winter is upon us I suspect I should transition downward in sizings. The baits are all about 2” in length, and are sleek and will swim effortlessly behind those green heads.

I weighed the finished heads to check and see what I really have. The 1/4 ounce size weighed in at an average of 0.24 ounces. The 3/32nd size should weigh 0.9375 ounces and weighs instead 0.10, so even after cutting away the collar, the bait is still heavier than stated. For reference a 1/16th ounce weighs 0.0625 ounces. So they are larger than the 1/16th size by some amount. Converting the decimal back to fractions gives a 1/9th ounce as the true size of the head.

So these will dive somewhat deeper than 1/16th oz jigs. About as much as a 1/8th. This means I will need to just be aware that I am somewhat deeper than normal back there.

I have some new baits arriving on Saturday and saved some of the heads for when I get those in hand. Bob’s Jigs out of Hemphill, Texas. He doesn’t just ship and forget. He follows along and sends updates as the package goes. I think this is my third or fourth order from him. Anyways he was more than willing to shoot the colors that I had requested, and get them out the door. I like that kind of willingness to please.

I have a pile of curly tail grubs in the smaller size- 2” and it is time to break those out and make some lures. While I have a nice assortment of bladed jigs, I think the fish are telling me they don’t like them this time of year. Odd but maybe not so much. I just need time on the water to see where the fish take me. The weather liar is claiming highs in the low 60’s today with 15-20 mph winds. Saturday a high of 50 degrees, rain and winds 20 mph. Sunday a high of 67 with winds at 15 mph. Not exactly my kind of weather, but I might make a run at Sunday.