Pouring jigs?

I fish down at Weiss Lake alot and stay at JR's place. I know many of you do also. When I am down there, I purchase sheet after sheet of these jigs that all the guides and most of the guys use while on that lake. It is a lead jig with feathers tied on and then a rubber type body is poured on. I am wanting to make my own. Actually, I want my 12 year old son to do this as a hobby and for the both of us to use. I know how to pour the lead jigs and I can figure out how to tie the feathers, but the rubber body is the problem. Anyone have a clue how to do it. What type of material is it and what kind of mold to buy or make? They are the best crappie jigs I have ever used and having all that I can make would be great. This is also something for my son to do to stay out of trouble and to keep in in the fishing spirit all year.

Jigboy, the body that I think you are looking for is poured over the feather in a special mold. The feather is inserted into the mold and the plastisol is injected into it. The feather is not actually tied to the jig head. I have used these bodies for years and they are really good when fished vertical. Just about any good sporting store will have them or at least can get them for you. I think Wally World will have them. Make sure that you pour your jigs in a well ventilated area. The lead fumes can be really bad for you. I have a small fan on my work bench for that purpose. I pour lots of jigs each year. if you need any advise just drop me a line. Good fishing.

Gil

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Originally Posted by Jigboy

I fish down at Weiss Lake alot and stay at JR's place. I know many of you do also. When I am down there, I purchase sheet after sheet of these jigs that all the guides and most of the guys use while on that lake. It is a lead jig with feathers tied on and then a rubber type body is poured on. I am wanting to make my own. Actually, I want my 12 year old son to do this as a hobby and for the both of us to use. I know how to pour the lead jigs and I can figure out how to tie the feathers, but the rubber body is the problem. Anyone have a clue how to do it. What type of material is it and what kind of mold to buy or make? They are the best crappie jigs I have ever used and having all that I can make would be great. This is also something for my son to do to stay out of trouble and to keep in in the fishing spirit all year.

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There are several different "brand" versions of this jig. Jiffy Jig, Hal-Fly are two of the "commercial" versions ... but, I also know that there are members that make them.
I was "told" (by one of the members that makes this type of jig) that the feathers (tail) are tied on the jighead ... first -- then the jighead/feathers is set into a mold, and the plastic body is poured onto it. Here - check out this thread : http://www.crappie.com/gr8vb3/showth...ighlight=jiffy : it may give you some more info.
You may have to get your "plastics" making materials from one of these places : http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...king+materials
You would also be "advised" to do your plastics "cooking" ... outdoors, or in an unattached building (with good ventilation !!) And, I'd also advise having some adult "supervision", during this portion of the process.

If the purchase of the needed materials, for the plastic body portion of the jig, are prohibitive ... consider using some old plastic worms, or bargain bin plastic worms, and melting them down, and pouring them. You'd already have the color and other "materials" (in the worm) and wouldn't have to "mix" any concoctions, or waste your plastics materials ... experimenting.

Or, you may want to try what I suggested in the thread ... cutting the worms into sections, sliding the worm chunk onto the jig/feathers - then pulling the feathers thru (with a knitting needle, or some type of small hook end gizmo ??), then squirting a small shot of Superglue into the worm chunk (preferably thru the end of the worm, next to the head of the jig, where the hook shank enters ... so as not to get glue on the tail feathers). Or, you could cut the worm into sections, then cut them 1/2 open (lengthwise) and slide the jighead/feathers into the cut and glue it closed. Just think of the jighead/feathers as a "hotdog", and the plastic worm section as the "bun" :D

I think it would be a great hobby for the boy ;) and I'm sure he'd be a proud little trooper, when fish were caught with "his creations" :D regardless of whether he "poured/molded" the plastic bodies ... or just cut/glued them.

I only mentioned doing the "cooking/melting" ... somewhere other than in the house ... for a couple of reasons : the cooking process will stink up the place, & the "pans" used will no longer be fit for any other use. The "supervision" comment was due to ..... fire/plastic/12yr old -- could be a bit risky. I'd also advise wearing a filter mask, and having a fire extinguisher handy. (I also recommend these two things, when melting lead for jigheads !! )

...... luck2ya ... cp :cool:

Hal-Fly and Rag Fly from what I know have been bought out and are now made in Atwood, Tn. http://www.wooleyboogerjigs.com/

His name on crappie.com is wooley booger man.
I fished one of his jigs last week, same jig for 3 days, until I finally hung it up and lost it. They are durable. I caught over 100 crappie on it.

I read your message about wanting to teach your son how to tie and pour the type jigs that I make. Please let me warn you that pouring lead heads is somewhat dangerous but pouring the plastic in the molds is very very dangerous for a 12 year old. I have burned myself severely. The syringes that you inject the plastic into the molds with can blow out on you. For more information you may call me at 731-571-6666. My name is Mike Tolley: www.wooleyboogerjigs.com.

Please talk to me before allowing your son to pour plastick jigs. It is very dangerous for a young person. I burned myself badly a couple of times and I am 55 years old. It is not my intention to discourage you but to caution you of very definite risks.

Your jigs are exactly like I like to use. I have used your type of jig for years which is where "jigboy" comes from. All my friends drop minnows and I always found that a bit boring so I use jigs.

I may or may not do this. As far as pouring the lead,I am in the plumbing industry so I have all the lead I want. I used to pour lead soldiers as a kid and can handle that. I can watch and teach my son to do it properly.

As far as pouring the plastic jig, I will have to think about it. I have never even tied a jig before so this will be a learning experience. I fish in the worst places you can fix and get snagged a ton. I look at it that you have to get snagged to get where the fish are. I limited out twice this weekend and bet you I went through 25 jigs while doing it. Thats a lot of jigs. One I might save some money, two, I believe my kid will enjoy helping make them. If I have to do a lot of the work until he learns, then I just have.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I did keep your infor incase I don't do this, then I can just buy them directly from you.