cadman

What mold (model number and manufacturer) do you have? Then I can tell you what hooks will fit in there. I use both a 60 degree and a 28 degree. Depends on what my mold calls for and what jig I like to throw at that time.

Jim I have never seen that type of rattle system. It looks like it was custom made for them. However a cool idea nonetheless.

Here is a reference as to wire ga versus diameter; I only posted for the common sizes I would use. Anything thinner or thicker will either break or will be hard to wrap. Although copper wire is more forgiving. Keep in mind that there are different hardness in copper wire as well. But like said above, motor windings and craft store copper wire is usually soft and can be wrapped on your jig/skirt easily. The below numbers are your AWG (Averge Wire Gage) standards and can vary slightly. 22 Ga. = .0286 23 Ga. = .0258 24 Ga. = .023 25 Ga. = .0204 26 Ga. = .0181

Cliff, Do not use stainless steel welding wire. You will not be able to bend tight wraps with it and you will definitely not be able to twist it. Stainless steel wire is very hard to work with and the welding wire is worse. The (.035) is the diameter or thickness of the wire and that is way too thinck to use even if you could use it. You should be somewhere in the .022-.024 wire ga. thickness and definitely copper, because copper wire is soft and easy to work with. Just my opinion.

I use thread as well fl,y tying thread and Coats and Clark upholstery thread. I tie for the same reasons everyone else does. As I can't speak for copper wire, but if you tie with thred, and tie it correctly, your skirt will bulge at the head giving it a fuller look and make it flare more. JMO

I heat my jigs with a heat gun first and then dip them in powder paint. Once I'm done with all of them, the rack(s) go in the oven. I bake @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

I know about regular lead, what is spiral lead? Can anyone shed some light on this?

fishingskirts.com also the biggest selection at good prices

Yes, very nice looking jigs, excellent photography work as well. Are you a photographer? If so would you like to hand out some tips on photographing jigs? I would like to update my pics in my catalog. If you would prefer to do this off line I would be interested either way.

Wow, very nice. I like the 4th from the top the best.

Lynyrdsky1 I'm not looking for free tackle, but if you want I have a list of things to get started in pouring jigs and roughly a starting cost. If you would like the list PM me your e-mail and I will get it out to you. I also have some tutorials I can give you as well.

Bill, When I started pouring jigs I never hand tied and only used rubber collars. Back then the Snootie jig was one of the first molds I bought. I never had a skirt slide down the collar. I assume you are questioning the ball end collar on the jig. Now I currently hand tie all of my jigs and I still don't have a problem with the skirt on that jig. I will agree with you that the ball end collars are not as good as the barb, ring and barb or holder collars, however I have never had any issuse wih them. I too like the hidden weight heads as well.

You will never find the exact mold as it was probably custom made for the manufacturer. That is a very very close to a Snootie jig.

If you only have 2 and you're not too picky just paint them with model paint like Testors, or you can use nail polish and that will seal them in good. Color is a personal choice. I like to match mine with the skirt. If you have powder paint or an airbrush you can use that as well.

Very nicely done. It's not about how beautiful they look, it's if they catch fish. I like the 1st one and the Big O. I too am a jig and craw fisherman.

Jigfishin10, Thanks for the offer and the help. I PM'd Brett my e-mail, and we got a hold of each other.

Brett, I don't know what's going on, I only have (4) PM's in my message box. I do not see any of your PM's as of yet. I have not gotten any messages since April 7th????? I'm going to contact the administrator. Maybe I don't have something turned on. I am going to PM you my e-mail and please reply back via-email. I will then get this info to you. Sorry about all the problems.

Brett, I checked my PM's nothing there. I checked my e-mails, emails sent and spam nothing there either. Sorry, otherwise I would have replied. Anyway, I have a lot of info for you on starting up. From hand tying skirts, powder painting jigs and more. Send me a PM with your e-mail and I will help you out and get you started. Cadman

Like mentioned here, it is not about how much money you will save, because the initial cost is a killer, and unless you stick with it, it's not worth it. I make and sell jigs, I don't do it for the selling part because I have more money invested than what I can recoup, and it never ends. I do it for therapy as well. I enjoy making something from scratch, then painting them and fishing them. It's a passion for me first as a hobby,then selling them, to make a little side cash.

Very nice, I like brown, and reddish brown. Good color anywhere.

Jenga, Unless you are going to make a lot of them, it definitely costs more money to start up and pour. You won't recoup your cost for awhile. Mold about $35, lead pot about $60, lead ...free if you can find it, hooks, gate cutters, paint if you are going to paint them, eyeglasses, face shield, fan for circulation, toaster oven for curing paint. This is just a general idea. I'm sure I missed a lot. However if you want a hobby to keep you busy, then go for it, learn and most important be very careful so you don't get burned.

Yes, I agree with Chris as well.

Definitely, If you ever decide to market them that would be a very clever name for them. Tell her I like it, it has a nice ring to it. Job well done.

I like the play on words Spinner(Spinhare) very clever.

Skeeterman that Ghost Minnow is awesome.