pouring jig heads?

i am looking in to getting the equipment to start pouring my own heads (also looking in to learning how to tie my own jigs). any one have any thoughts on where and what molds to start with, also advice on hooks and materials would be great. looking at the do-it molds, but other than that not sure what i will end up with. also does it save money ( not that jigs and heads are real expensive) or do most people do it as a hobby? just figured it would be a good hobby when everything freezes over and im going crazy stuck in the house, any info would be great. hope every one is well, god bless.

Probably should post this on the jig tying board.

Skip

I don't pour my own but do tie... I'd say it is a hobby, won't save no money but does feel good to catch em on something you made your self. I try to keep it to the winter months but end up tying on the summer nights as well. I also have a few color combos that you can't find at any regular store that have done me very well this year, thats a BIG plus!!! :)

For materials..... I get some from Netcrafters near Toleo, Ohio and some from Crazy Angler in Texas. Both have web sites. Hope this helps a little.....

you won't save any money, you will spend more! :eek: lol It is a great pasttime and hobby, the best in my opinion, but after a few years of gathering everything you want and need to do the job right, you will realize that youve spent quite alot. To me it was well worth it. I bought a lee bottom pouring led pot, and about six molds, they are do-it, except for one custom mold. everyone has a different opinion as to what vise to buy, I have a 265:00 dynaking voyager, but it is my third vise in 38 years, but the 50 dollar griffin superior vise I have, will do just as good except for the rotating feature of the more expensive one. the molds you need for tying jigs, in my opinion, should be the plain ballhead type, with no collar or barb. 1/16, 1/32, will probly be good to start. I have molds that make the ballhead jig with collar and barb too, this is for plastic grubs etc, and also tying small bucktails for crappie. there are some good tyers on here, so I'll let you get their take on it too.

I would like to suggest that you get some jigs from one of the site sponsers and learn how to tie before you start pouring.
By doing that, you would get the enjoyment of using your creations for fishing and have a better feeling for excatly what molds you would consider using.
I'm surely not trying to discourage you from pouring your own, it is just a suggestion. You will need a very well ventilated pouring area . Illinoisgiller

Jeepguy,
I'm going to have to agree with Illinoisgiller. Although I don't tie crappie jigs I pour over 35 different jigs. You would be wise to start a little at a time, to see if it is something you want to pursue. If you find out this is not for you, than you don't have a lot of money invested in it. Let's face it, a pouring pot, lead, 3 or 4 molds is about $250.00. This doesn't include the learning curve you have to figure out to get everything right. Once you learn that, now comes the painting and all the tying stuff you have to purchase to fisninsh the jig. You also have a learning curve with that. A lot to accomplish if you ask me. I don't want to discourage you to try anything. You won't know if you don't try. If you need help with pouring, I will be more than happy to help you out, as I'm sure others on this site will help as well..............Just my 2 cents worth.

ya know, ya'll have a good point. come to think of it, I did buy unpainted ballhead jigheads 1/16 by the dozen, a couple of packs at a time, for years before I decided to pour my own. they came from a well stocked sporting goods store in my area, but we are blessed with several guys that make and sell the jigheads for a fair price.

great advice fellas thank you, sounds like i have a new plan now, will buy jig heads for a little bit and tie some. thanks for steering me straight guys, God bless

jeepguy,

The cool thing to me about pouring is experimenting with different hook styles. I pour regular hooks, sickle hooks, and some wierd wide hooks made by Mustad. If you get into it, I think you'll enjoy pouring.

With the prices you can get for many styles of jigheads here on this board, try learning tying first and see if you like to tie first. Go through Flatfish, he's got some great stuff - and you get a bunch for what you pay.

Fatman