What size bar bells?

[fish_4_all]

I am gonna start making some clousers and need some advice on the size eye I need. I plan on using #4,6 and 8 hooks so I need the right size eyes for them. Lakeland has a good price but if anyone has a good source for inexpensive lead free eyes please let me know. It looks like Lakeland is gonna be about $8 per 100.

[Illinoisgiller]

The most reasonable source I know of is heavy mono or plastic broom straws. That way you can just make them the width and size you wish. A lighter will melt them back to what looks right.
I hope someone can chime in how to color them, I had the wife get a black strawed broom so I would have dark. Just a thought. Illinoisgiller
Afterthought. Email Lackeland and tell them your intent. They might have someone there to answer you.

[smoothlures]

I don't have a clue what size the lead free ones would be. Do they have weights listed for the sizes? I'd go after 1/64th or so for those hook sizes, I use 1/32 probably on #4s.

[smoothlures]

The most reasonable source I know of is heavy mono or plastic broom straws. That way you can just make them the width and size you wish. A lighter will melt them back to what looks right.
I hope someone can chime in how to color them, I had the wife get a black strawed broom so I would have dark. Just a thought. Illinoisgiller
Afterthought. Email Lackeland and tell them your intent. They might have someone there to answer you.

Oh does he mean the plastic non weighted ones? If so then I don't have a clue. I use the painted lead ones then clear coat them so they won't chip (and they look brighter and glossier).

[skiptomylu]

You can get them in so many sizes, but for hook size you are using I would get large and medium at the smallest. I have mostly Medium and will look to see if I actually have large. You can get them painted lead, unpainted, brass, tungsten etc, etc. If you want more info from me just ask. A lot will depend on how much weight you want from them.

Okay med is the biggest I have , but I was using them as a fly and that will probably do for you too.

Skip

[skiptomylu]

As an after thought I wanted to give you this link. I figure you already know how and maybe even have this link, but in case it's a help..
Clouser Minnow #213 - FAOL"
Skip

[fish_4_all]

I don't care about the weight of them just the size. I don't want this huge bug eye sticking out 1/2 on a 1 inch jig. I figured brass but I don't care what they are made of. I don't have any desire to paint them because the eyes will give color and the shine s perfect for a minnow anyway. Maybe get some colors of black, nickel and brass for variety but I am not worried about color.

I am thinking 5/32 which is the width, not the weight. Lakeland has 7/64, 1/8, 5/64, 3/16 and 7/32 which is how wide they are. The 5/32 should be a good size. I wish I knew the conversion to medium Skip but it says nothing like that. One of the downsides of wholesale.

And I love new links Skip. Always some sort of a tweak or new material. The more I SEE the better I can make what I think will work.

[fish_4_all]

On a side not, for those that want to make their own try Decoy cord. It is very thick, black and melts nicely. I have made them before out of it and they will add very little weight if that is what you want. Will see if I have any of them lying around or I'll make a couple to show them.

[Decoy Carver]

Bead Chain also works well on Clousers, Weight is very important, Just like the weight of heads on jigs.

[fish_4_all]

I thought about bead chain too. I have some somewhere in some pretty good sizes.

I agree that weight is important just not sure how much is needed for them. The ones I have been using are 1/24 so that is right in the weight range for most crappie jigs.