jig challenge

There use to be a jig that I used for bream fishing when I was a kid. I want to say it was called a tater bug. I am not exactly sure if that was its real name or if that is just what we called them. Anyway, I have not seen one in years and heard a few years ago that they had stopped making them several years ago. The bait was simply just a little piece of metal shaped like a beetle shell sort of speek that was sautered to a very small hook and then it was painted like a lady bug and had some tough hair like material that was stiffer than normal hair that came out the back of it. I was wondering if any of you know the bait I am talking about and also thought I would see if some of you would piddle with the idea to see if you can come up with something similar. I would like to see some versions of it made if any of you are interested in trying to make one. I attached a drawing of what I kind of remember it looking like. It is not the best drawing but the best I could do.

that jig is still made....google search lady bug jigs and click on the image....its what they call a ice jig....actually buying the stuff right now to make them...

PBUG, I did not find anything exactly like it. I found one that is sort of similar but still alot of difference in the one I am talking about. Thanks for the info though. Please let me see what you come up with when you make one. They are great for bream if you get the right size and color. I know the one I use to use caught thousands of fish for me.

About what weight is the head?Does it have to have the eye of the hook coming out the front?
Looks like a good thing to make.Or try to,lol.The Do It Crappie jig mold has something that would work,but is a 1/16 oz. with the straight mustad hook.

I think the eye of the hook actually comes under the bottom but does not have to come straight out of the front. I do not have one of these jigs anymore to give exact details and that is as close of a drawing as I could do. The head is very light, it was just a small piece of very thin metal of some type. Very lightweight and the hook was very small too. I sure wish I had an old one to show you.

I'm making two right at this second,lol.We'll see.I'm making a "Giant" one,just for looks.

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Originally Posted by crappieseeker

I think the eye of the hook actually comes under the bottom but does not have to come straight out of the front. I do not have one of these jigs anymore to give exact details and that is as close of a drawing as I could do. The head is very light, it was just a small piece of very thin metal of some type. Very lightweight and the hook was very small too. I sure wish I had an old one to show you.

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I told you that your thread would get you the results you desired. That is a pretty good drawing of a lady bug. I do remember folks in Ohio who would fish them a few decades ago. As I suggested to you in a PM do try your hand at making a few yourself. You may surprise yourself. The people on this forum will encourage you and give you some great tips. Email me if I can help more.

From the looks of your drawing I would suggest you get some shells from Janns also flux solder paint and a soldering iron. For gills use #8 or #10 gold hook and solder them up. Use WAPSI vinyl paint. Red back and black dots. Check Janns for different tail materials and tie it on.

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Originally Posted by crappieseeker

There use to be a jig that I used for bream fishing when I was a kid. I want to say it was called a tater bug. I am not exactly sure if that was its real name or if that is just what we called them. Anyway, I have not seen one in years and heard a few years ago that they had stopped making them several years ago. The bait was simply just a little piece of metal shaped like a beetle shell sort of speek that was sautered to a very small hook and then it was painted like a lady bug and had some tough hair like material that was stiffer than normal hair that came out the back of it. I was wondering if any of you know the bait I am talking about and also thought I would see if some of you would piddle with the idea to see if you can come up with something similar. I would like to see some versions of it made if any of you are interested in trying to make one. I attached a drawing of what I kind of remember it looking like. It is not the best drawing but the best I could do.

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Very interesting....should wear some bream out.

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Originally Posted by azslabber

I'm making two right at this second,lol.We'll see.I'm making a "Giant" one,just for looks.

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Hey my friend let's see what you came up with. This looks like a fun challenge and I hope all of you help crappie seeker get hooked on making jigs.

i actually had the equipment to do this with and gave it away a couple years ago to my neighbor. I did not use it and just gave it to him. Now I wish I had it back lol. I may get into making some of them down the road. I have all my money tied up in making plastics right now and I am going to college and not working. So not much money for doing much right now. Thanks for all the help ship and I hope more people make some of these. I am interested to see what they come up with and maybe later I can do some as well.

Took longer to get a picture to work then it did to find heads,paint them,cure them and tie them,lol.Here they are.

show off lol....

those look pretty good azslabber, now I want to see what your competition brings lol. when you try those out, let me know how they work please.

azslabber i got some competition.paint is drying now got put dots on it and clearcoat it...i use vinyl paint..so tomorrow it will be up...Myself i think it looks good

I'll try to find something like what you were looking for.lol.These are ladybugs on steroids,Ha.1/16 oz. with a size 6 hook.

These were just quickies PBUG,lol.

like to find some 1/64 -8 and 1/32-6...just like 5 of each...Thanks az

I'm a looking,lol.

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Originally Posted by crappieseeker

those look pretty good azslabber, now I want to see what your competition brings lol. when you try those out, let me know how they work please.

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I am not in this competition but I may post a photo next week after I return from South Carolina. I may do it today if I have time later. I wil use a small shell on a #8 hook and see what happens. Stay tuned.

Crappieseeker...you can do this too! I know you can.

ship if I had the equipment I know I could do it, however I do not have the equipment lol. Maybe I could check with family and see if they have any ha ha. Keep em coming guys. I like the ideas I am seeing.

a little lady bug

Looks good PBUG2009. I will show one tonight after 7 pm. Busy until then but I'll get one done tonight.

Here is my effort.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...1/LadyBugs.jpg

Nice ones guys.Looks like I need to find something smaller.Working on it.Time to "customize",I like the way this site makes you use your head for something more then putting a hat on,lol.I think you need to be more roundish,lol.

my self i know it wont fish but i took a size 0 RR blade and gorilla glued it to a jig hook...Today i went out and bought a solder gun to try out...

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Originally Posted by azslabber

Nice ones guys.Looks like I need to find something smaller.Working on it.Time to "customize",I like the way this site makes you use your head for something more then putting a hat on,lol.I think you need to be more roundish,lol.

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I like a good challenge. Here is something smaller yet. I have also included a photo that shows regular size pinmins so you can see how tiny these "Lady Bugs" are. (#10 gold hook) I took a few shells and trimmed them with scissors to get the bug look. You can probably buy similar shells on line. The Bluegill should eat them up! It was fun creating them.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d.../LadyBugs4.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d.../LadyBugs3.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d.../LadyBugs2.jpg

you guys have done a wonderful job and I think those things will catch some fish no doubt. Thanks for attempting this and they look great. Now if you need a tester for those to see if they work, I can gladly send my address for samples lol. Just kidding, but thanks again for making those. Let me know if they work well for you. When I get the equipment one day i will make me some.

If you want some of the heads that I have let me know.They are kinda big,I think 1/8 I just sent a few to PBUG for a trade,but if you have everything else,they will work for BIG bluegill.I'll tye you up a few if you want.They are pretty easy.

crappieseeker

Found this thread while searching for info on the tater bug as well, I have never used one but a friend of mine has given me one to try and duplicate. I have never posted on a forum before but will try to post a few pictures of it to see if it is what you a referring to.

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/P6094759.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/P6094758.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/P6094756.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/P6094757.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/P6094755.jpg

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...3/P6094760.jpg

Very nice !!!

I believe the ladybug the originals was made out of metal and I believe it was from the 50s and 60s it's been a long time since I've seen one they had a fluttering action because they were so light. I do not know the name of who made them that was too many years ago.