Printable View
Just like with rod building, this started out of need. I simply could not find quality jigs in the weight, size, color, and good hook configuration that I wanted. When walleye fishing gets going, you cannot find a jig for 500 miles. I killed that bird by making my own. Of course, like rod building, it ended up becoming a pretty good business opportunity as many other guys felt the same way.
Attachment 155027Attachment 155028Attachment 155029Attachment 155030Attachment 155031
When jigging walleye, I prefer a Matzua Sickle hook. The second photo shows the hook. The bend allows for perfect placement of a stinger hook. I also prefer a 3/4 oz jig as we are fishing heavy current. For a light bite I like a 3/0 hook, and when the fish are on, I prefer a 4/0 hook.
Some days, the round hook is the way to go. For those, I prefer a Mustad Lazer point. These are simply things you cannot get in a standard off the shelf jig. All of these jigs are built with "hard" lead. It has other alloys making them tougher to pour but also way stronger than a standard "soft" lead jig. I also utilize powder paint. After baking, you can drop these jigs on solid concrete and they will not dent or chip.
Another thing that is hard to get (in bulk) is multi colored jigs (for this weight size). Guys simply do not want to take the time to create them. I do not use an air brush. I sprinkle powder coat over my base and then re-heat to blend the color. I also, mix my paints and create other colors.
The lower Detroit river (Trenton channel) is chocked full of snags. Some days you feel like you are donating lead. You gotta have a lot of jigs on board. I also hate to be the guy that doesn't have the color that the fish are biting on. Instead, I like to be the only one that has the color fish are hitting on. Why do I have it? Cause I created it!
You sure did a fantastic job on those. I sure wish I could learn to do the 2 tone as good as yours. You can probably sell enough of those around there to pay for your habit. I just pour and paint for myself but it sure is fun.
They look really good Rich...
Those look great!
Thanks guys,
Cray, it is actually pretty simple. I dip the jig in one color. As it is cooling, i use a small paint brush. I dip it in my powder paint and lightly sprinkle it on the jig. It will melt at first, then just dust. I get it close to the way i want it and then put it infront of the heat gun to melt the powder.
Less is more. Just takes a little practice with the amount of powder paint you put on the brush and how hard you tap it with your finger to sprinkle it.
They look good
Rich, what mold # are you using (3/4 oz.)? I cast my own .44 handgun bullets and have a lot of extra lead (hard) available to me, seems a likely step for me to cast my own jigs too.
I have been looking everywhere for sickle hook jigs for crappie fishing. The store ones don't seem to come in the hook sizes i like either or colors. I will definitely be cooking up an orderfor you if that is ok?
I buy almost all of my jig making supplies from Jann's Netcraft out of Teledo Ohio. Good prices and quick delivery to Michigan. I mostly buy production molds. Lets me do the exact same jig in multiples. If I wasn't doing so many, I might think of buying one of the others that do multiple sizes. The mold I use is a Do-it #4111165 production mold. I can do (5) 3/4 oz jigs at one time. Below is a link to Jann's website:
Do It Jig Molds | Do It Molds
I buy my hooks from Captain Hooks Warehouse: https://www.captainhookswarehouse.com/
They seem to be the cheapest around to buy in bulk. Thanks to the Jig forum, I was able to find out that Eagle claw came out with a sickle hook similar to Matzua. It is called the "lil Nasty". I plan on casting some 1/16 and 1/8 oz jigs with these new hooks as the guys from the jig forum have had good things to say.
No Problem on putting an order together. I just refined 220lbs of lead into ingots last night. X-ray machine shields work great to get sources of good soft lead. Of course, wheel weights are my sorce for harder lead. Last time I checked I had about 140 lbs of that on hand. I still have two more sheets of shields to melt that should get me another 400lbs but I don't need it right now. I have quite a bit to use up.