Okay, so, where do I buy just a round Do-it Mold that will allow me to use multiple weight on the same sized hook, e.g., 1/4 to 1/16 oz. jig head all on a #8 hook.
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Okay, so, where do I buy just a round Do-it Mold that will allow me to use multiple weight on the same sized hook, e.g., 1/4 to 1/16 oz. jig head all on a #8 hook.
Try Barlows on the internet.
Barlows, Janns Netcraft, or from the source do-itmolds.com.
Going to be hard getting a #8 in those larger sizes like a 1/4 oz.
The mold will have to be modified. That will be some what of a problem do to the small hook size. I myself would rethink this and go to a bigger hook size. Barring that I would custom make my own mold to fit that size hook. It will be a odd shape to get that much weight on to a size 8 hook.
There is a reason that the mold makers make the sizes and recommend the hooks that they do. Maybe they have done the homework for you??????
Redman
Yeah, you're probably right.
Are there special jig molds for sickle hooks?
You can use Sickles in different Do-it molds. Most of the time you can use one down from what they recommend. There are exception to that rule of thumb. I have to admit that I have been useing 2,4,and 6's most of the time and use the Number 8's and 10's for my little custom molds. I do think that you will be succesfull at Barlow's with there JRN-6-A see it here Do-It Round Head Jig Molds I have two different ball head ones that I can use sickles in very well including one of the above.
Good luck you shouldn't have any problems.
All the best
Redman
Redman has giving you pretty good advice, but try Zeiners Bass Shop, they are the cheapest Do-it dealer in the lower 48. If someone knows of a cheaper one please post it for all of us to use. As far as hooks go, just try 'em in the molds. The older model molds accepted lots more hooks, but thats before Do-it and Eagle Claw got married, the older molds even listed other manufacturers hooks. One thing I've noticed is that molds that pour 2 or more different size heads accept far more hooks without modifying the mold. Another thing, a #8 hook will not clear the outside of the head resulting in missed strikes. Hope this helps. CD
Crappiedoc I have posted before that it is fairly easy to modify a Do-It mold. I think you are right that the older molds do accept a wider range of hooks. In my opinion Do-It and Eagle claw have been married a long time. They used to list Mustad hooks but for some reason Mustad fell out of favor with everyone. Think that happend about the time that the European Union and Ero came in to exsistance. The Japanise and Koreans saw a opening and with new technology built a better mouse trap. Today we here use sickle hooks and Do-It molds trade info on how to do them. One day the Asians will start to sell jig mold made especilly for sickles at a far lower price and Do-It will have to scramble to sirvive.
As far as which company has the best price I have to go with the Texas based company and promote them as I need to have the money flow in to the state coffers to reduce my property taxes. I know that you would like them to buy from a Kansas base company for the same reason. Both are good but BUY TEXAS.
help out the Redman.
All the best
Redman
[QUOTE=crappiedoc;Another thing, a #8 hook will not clear the outside of the head resulting in missed strikes. Hope this helps. CD[/QUOTE]
I agree that there is a point where to big a jighead will make it hard to set the hook. You can offset this a little by opening the hook where it is sticking up more. However, in most cases, I still wouldn't recommend going more than 2 hook sizes down from what is recommended.
Bronson In one of my post I talked about a rule of thumb. Mine is one up and one down from recommended. You can go down 2 sizes but then other factors come in to play. When you start trying to bend on thin wire hooks weak spots can occur. Not good!!!
Its not like the old days when we could take a 4x long shank flat forged Mustad hook and bend the heck out of it and still catch a 5 lb. Smallmouth. These sickles are thin wire. I have had some sickles snap on me. Don't get me wrong I love them to death but still treat them gently. No twist no bends don't trust one that has been snagged more than twice. No need to loss a nice fish on a weak hook. Hooks are relitively inexpencive and the only thing that is holding the fish to your line. Use good hooks and tie good knots. Play a fish with confidence and don't horse a big one in. Pay attention to the details and you will be succesfull. Words of wisdom from a old geezer.
Redman
[QUOTE=Redman;Pay attention to the details and you will be succesfull. Words of wisdom from a old geezer.
Redman[/QUOTE]
I like that last couple of lines. Being an high school basketball coach for over 20 years helped me realize it's all about the fundamentals. As soon as you start ignoring them, they have a tendency to come back to bite you.
I agree with the weaker hooks and not trying to force things but I also agree you can modify a mold to make some accomodations as long as they are not too extreme. Sizes can be deceiving too as a #2 in an Eagle Claw and a #2 sickle hook will not look the same, nor will it perform the same.
Not too long ago, you made an excellent post giving suggestions of how to make modifications in your molds. I've still got it on file. You're one of the best resources we've got on this site and I've learned to make a point of reading your suggestions. It has helped save me from making a lot of mistakes.
On molds if you can FIND the older Do-It molds they are in my opinion better than the new ones. You were almost unlimited in what hooks you could use in them. Now alot of them with smaller head sizes have a warming chamber on the bottom that you can use to warm the mold up with, while it's a nice feature it really takes up the space that was open before.
They're pretty much IMO making them so you don't have any choices but to buy other molds to cover bigger hooks. The old catalouges showed the molds. There's not many in the new one.
Example: I bought the Horsehead 1/32nd and 1/16th mold. Figured hey all my other molds are side by side NOPE. This mold has four on one side, then you flip it over and pour 4 on the other side. Guess what happened to all the open space, GONE. It's tough getting bigger sickles in it, I tried putting them in to see if I could load all eight slots. NOPE.
I've sent Do-It emails asking them why not ask us what we're looking for in a mold, if they did I'd bet more of us would buy more than we do. But I never got an answer from them.