New to Jigmaking

Hi all. I'm new to jig making & new to crappie fishing as well. I've done a good bit of bass fishing, alot of trout fishing (in mtn streams here in NC where i live) & when i can get to the coast i LOVE surf fishing.

Anyhow, i'm unemployed & I need a new hobby to keep from going crazy. & since my bro just got his first boat & we plan on doin alot of fishing this year I'm gonna start tying some crappie jigs to keep myself busy & sane.

So anyhow my first question is, for crappie lures (i live in NC where any crappie over 2 lbs is considered VERY nice) I'm wondering should i get a mold for 1/16 & 1/8 jigheads or 1/16 & 1/32 jigheads? I've found do-it molds that do 2 sizes in 1 mold. so i could go either way. If I end up hooked i'll get another mold so i can do 'em all but i'm wondering if i have to choose what 2 sizes should i get... 1/16th & what?

My 2nd question is about hooks. If the mold says it shoudl use the eagle claw 570 hooks well... what other hooks can i use, & from what other brands? I would hate to order 100 hooks & find out they didn't work. Do most all jig hooks work in the mold or do i actually need to use the hooks they recommend for the mold?

thx for any help,
gus

Dogfish

Most here use 1/16th and 1/32nd oz jig heads. for regular jig hooks use the Eagle Claw 570, Mustad 32756, VMC 9140 I think the # is or you can try some sickles. If you want gold hooks you can order the equivalent of the above. Most here use size 2, 4, 6 hooks.

If you don't want to get into the heavy cost of first mold, hooks you could always buy the jigheads then just paint and tie, Your choice which way you go.

Fatman

I would suggest buying your jig heads unless you have access to lead. It will be alot cheaper. there is alot of places you can get 100 jigheads for $7( 7 cents each hard to beat that.) chuck and debs is one place.

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Originally Posted by Dogfish804

Hi all. I'm new to jig making & new to crappie fishing as well. I've done a good bit of bass fishing, alot of trout fishing (in mtn streams here in NC where i live) & when i can get to the coast i LOVE surf fishing.

Anyhow, i'm unemployed & I need a new hobby to keep from going crazy. & since my bro just got his first boat & we plan on doin alot of fishing this year I'm gonna start tying some crappie jigs to keep myself busy & sane.

So anyhow my first question is, for crappie lures (i live in NC where any crappie over 2 lbs is considered VERY nice) I'm wondering should i get a mold for 1/16 & 1/8 jigheads or 1/16 & 1/32 jigheads? I've found do-it molds that do 2 sizes in 1 mold. so i could go either way. If I end up hooked i'll get another mold so i can do 'em all but i'm wondering if i have to choose what 2 sizes should i get... 1/16th & what?



My 2nd question is about hooks. If the mold says it shoudl use the eagle claw 570 hooks well... what other hooks can i use, & from what other brands? I would hate to order 100 hooks & find out they didn't work. Do most all jig hooks work in the mold or do i actually need to use the hooks they recommend for the mold?

thx for any help,
gus

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Just bought my tying stuff from hook and hackle shop.Didn't git enough tying materal.I am gonna have to order more.
I just buy my jig heads.Then ya can spend more time tying instead of fooling wit hot lead.plus it cheaper.:DI bought the last ones from Ray's Bait and Tackle in Eden,NC.
might not be far from you.I think the last ones were 100 for 12.00,but ya don't have shipping and ya don't have to wait.I gonna try to git to Ray's this afternoon.:D:D

mikeb

If you do go with the molds, an endless supply of lead can be purchased cheaply at tire shops. Most of them will have buckets of wheel weights laying around. They melt good and you have to scoop the clip out with a spoon and put it in an aluminum can. I have had no problem with them. I currently use lead ingots from my workplace.

tnt, My advice is to stay away from using wheel weights.

Hey Gus

You are taking on a really addictive hobby and it doesn’t stop you from going crazy – if anything it might push you over the edge.

Start with a 1/16 & 1/32 jig head mold or the multi cavity mold first. If you decide to really get into it go with Do-It PRO series molds.

The majority of Do-It and hilts molds will take hooks other than what is recommend on the mold. For the smaller hooks – Mustad, Matzuo, and VMC (my choice) are interchangeable with Eagle Claw and each other. Some mold modifications are needed for larger hooks (Gamakatsu – Owner). So you can interchange hooks and there is probably members here that could you give some recommendations from experience.

You really don’t save money pouring your own unless you get your lead free and hooks in bulk (check out Shorty’s and sometimes ebay). I use soft lead for small jigs – wheel weights for fishing weights or large jigs.

Good luck and be safe.

Buzz

Gotta ask why stay from wheel weights???? If you've been pouring for several years you know which ones to use and not use. But really would like to hear your opinion.

Fatman

Hey Dogfish804,

Welcome from Alabama. Down here we mostly will be using 1/16th or 1/32nd for crappie with a #4 hook. If I were you I'd just buy my jigheads from Grousefly here on crappie.com and use the savings to buy stuff for tying.

I use wheel weight lead that's already been hardened for pouring bullets and poured into 1/2 lb ingots. Doesn't always give a great pour on the barbs/collars, but it works fine if you get everything heated up right.