Making your own jigs

[MB916]

I am thinking of investing in some jig molds and possiby some dropshot sinker molds. I am just curious if any of you guys make your own jigs and sinker. Is it cheaper in the long run to go this rout? I am a pretty hands on person, how difficult is it? What are the better football and shaky head jigs out there? Is lead expensive to purchase?

[mark poulson]

To learn how to pour lead, and to get the answer to most every other question about jig making, try going to the wire baits forum at Tackleunderground:

http://www.tackleunderground.com/commun ... ire-baits/

[Quasiboato]

click on link below for everything you'll need to make up some jigs /shakey heads
If it turns out you like making them you can later invest in some Do - It molds and start pouring your own heads


http://fishingskirts.com/index.php

[eric n]

Its simple.The more you lose the cheaper they get .The biggest benefit is that you wont worry about losing them anymore and will throw them in the nastiest of places.Downfall is buying more line because you are breaking off all your jigs

[jiggin4bass]

Ive been building custom jigs for 35 years and is it cheaper for me yes but they again I BUY EVERY THING IN BULK but for somebody starting out making your own i would say NO its much easier now days to go with one of the lure manufacture on this site there are several on here that will build you custom jigs and make drop shot weights for you there are other manufactures like Skirts plus ( skirting material ) Living rubber company (skirting material ) Fishing skirts, Barlows, Jann's netcraft, Lure parts. All these companys carry ready made jig heads and skirting material. Investing In a top dollar lead pouring furnace RCBS PRO-MELT 375.00 plus
DO-IT molds depending on what you want to pour 35.00 to 45.00 a piece then there hooks depending on brand per 100 # the cost is much greater than buying 1000# then there are fiberguards per 100 cost is more than buying in bulk 1000# is much less. Powder paint is another expense and then there is the lead ROTO METALS carry a big supply but there not cheap either. If you have the money to invest then you should do it but if your on a budget then going with a company already in business and doing custom work then i would go with one of the companys on this website.

[Oldschool]

I have been making my own jigs since 1971 when I made my 1st jig mold that use today.
You can buy the lead from re-loading outlets.The hooks, lead melting pots, Do-It molds, skirt making materials, powder coating form Barlows and other suppliers.
The advantages are you can make up custom colors combo's that few other are using and use premium hooks. The hook is by far the most important component.
You will not save money; the components cost more then plain jigs from Yamamoto and other suppliers. Example a bag of 5 plain Yamamoto football jigs, less skirt, with Gamakatsu or Owner hook is under $4.
Tom

[eric n]

Depends on where you fish and how many jigs you lose.New lakes where the rocks arent eroded yet (dvl, lakes with quagga),it's nothing to lose 10 in a day.A basic 4# pot and all the components are about 250 bucks.Do the math,if you dont think you will recoup then buying football heads as Tom suggested is a great idea.Barlows has great skirts that are cheap and work extremely well.Living rubber is cheap and easy to tie.
At 3-5 bucks a wack I lose way to many to buy off the shelf,not including your trailer of choice.
Toms advice is spot on about hooks,you can build the best jig for any application

[jiggin4bass]

Here are several company's you will save money on by buying bulk
http://www.shortyshooks.com BULK HOOKS /Eagle claw,Mustad,Vmc,Gamakatsu,Matzuo
http://www.fishingskirts.com SKIRTING MATERIAL/JIG HEADS
http://www.skirtsplus.com BULK SKIRTING MATERIAL/Custom skirt colors can be made here
http://www.csipaint.com POWDERPAINT/FLUID BEDS
http://www.livingrubber.com BULK ROUND RUBBER FINE, REG, HEAVY, GRADE MATERIAL
http://www.flashabou.com COLOR ACCENT MATERIAL
http://www.rayrumpf.com BUCKTAIL SUPPLY'S
http://www.coatsandclark.com BULK UPHOLSTERY THREAD 137M 150 YARD SPOOLS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COLORS
http://www.rotometals.com LEAD INGOTS
Kayser lure corp. CUSTOM FIBERGUARDS to order
p.o.box68
ursa,illinois 62376
217-964-2110
THESE ARE THE COMPANYS I DO BUSINESS WITH ^^^^^



If your wanting to buy on a budget go with
barlows
jannsnetcraft
lure parts
There all good companys to get lure components from

[Ceaser]

I have always tied my own jigs but never poured any lead. I have always been able to find a guy who make jigs or pours heads and have him whip me up a batch. If you get them unpainted you can powdercoat yourself and if they have weedguards ask for them to be left out and then glue them in after the paint. Jigheads under a dollar a will save $ because you can buy skirt layers and rubber relatively cheap. Powder paint is cheap too. Most guys have colors they rely heavily on so u wont have to buy every color under the sun. Even when i have to pay over one $ a head.. the powder coat and skirting doesnt take the cost over 2 bucks. go to a fabric store or wal-mart and buy spools of 100% polyester upholstry thread and use that to tie the skirts. 99 cents a spool is way cheaper than thread from lure part places and it is actually the strongest thread ive found for this. Getting into pouring lead is costly but i threw that out the window and i still pay under $2 a jig.
Hope this helps a little
Ceaser

[jiggin4bass]

Keep your lead products and powder paint stored away under lock and key keep the area your working in away from kids and clean up after every pour/paint with a shop vac and do not use your oven in your home to bake your jigs in. I have and gas side by side double door oven with dual fans that i use to bake my jigs in. They come out with a much harder finish when you double bake in the gas oven vs standard electric oven. I custom powdercoat all of my jig heads from 2 to 5 different colors on one jig head depending on what jig heads im pouring and what colors im going to be tying. Starting with a base coat and then adding the other colors with one heat application before the jig heads cool down and before they hit the oven to be fired. The heat from the fans circulating around the jig heads during the bake cycle give the powderpaint a swirl pattern effect and every jig head comes out with different pattern on it when it come out of the oven. The trick to a harder finish on your jig heads without adding a clear coat is the double bake the jig heads and the gas oven/fans.