coryn h. fishowl Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 I am have started making my own custom jigs, (I have some really nice patterns) but I'm looking to get a fairly cheap jig mold. I don't need one with 20 slots. I have been looking at the ones sold at BPS, but I'm wondering if I might find one cheaper. Also, what would you guys bet there is more of a market for in terms of jig head style. I figured Arkie heads and football heads would be the most popular but I am eager for your opinion. I wouldn't mind any info on small lead melting pots and where I might find them. (I have been swimming through Ebay and have also read reviews for the Palmer hot pot 2.) Quote
cadman Posted October 25, 2013 Posted October 25, 2013 I personally would get a Lee IV bottom pour pot. They are about the most versatile. As far as prices go depends if you want to buy new or used. On new molds I buy 99% of my molds from Zeiner's in Wichita, Kansas. The best prices I have found on majority of all the Do-It molds out there. Excellent people to deal with and if they don't have it they will get it for you. Make sure you call and speak with Jim Zeiner. As far as which molds to buy, start out with the one you would fish the most, see if you like pouring and painting and then slowly expand. Pouring jigs is not for everyone, as it can be frustrating. I'm sure you will get a lot of help here. Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted October 26, 2013 Super User Posted October 26, 2013 I know you are trying to get into making tackle in hopes of selling but unless you have a real passion to do it I would advise against it. The first thing is that you are not going to compete against big manufacturers, you aren't going to do the volume but, there is a niche, the custom lure crowd and tournament anglers, these groups pay more for a better made product as by doing low volume there is more attention to detail and often better components and hooks that what is mass produced. If you go into this looking for the cheaper way to do things, well it isn't going to get you to far, the market is saturated and there is a product at every price level so you have to make a great product at a reasonable price in a reasonable amount of time so have quality equipment is part of doing that. Another part is that you are going to have to use good hooks, be prepared to buy in lots of 1000 or more to get a price that will allow you a greater profit margin, if you can't buy in bulk and make a high quality jig, well your profit margin is going to be very thin, after you pay the excise tax you'll be looking at making a few cents per jig and that is why you have to have a passion for it because you will put in a lot of hours and get little for it, trust me. I love helping guys get into tackle making, I think it is a super rewarding hobby and I love to see all the different creations people come up with and the feeling you get catching a fish on a lure you made yourself is unbelievable but if you want to do it to save money or make money I will tell you the truth, you won't save money, well not right away, it will take years to recoup the start up cost, and as I already outlined, the profit margins are so low that you have to have a passion as often you will be getting less than minimum wage when you add up what you make versus the amount of hours. If you truly think you will like doing it and think you'll make money then consider investing at least $300, that will get you enough to make around 50 jigs. If you still think you will continue I will gladly help, I once had a side business while working a day job so I've been on that side as well as now being a hobbyist so I know how to begin but you can't go into it looking for cheap, especially when it comes to molds as that is your product, instead look on tackle making web sites for used molds, check ebay and the same tackle making web sites out for hooks and other things, often guys that had businesses or a big hobby looking to get out will sell their stuff at a discount but it will be far from cheap. 2 Quote
coryn h. fishowl Posted October 27, 2013 Author Posted October 27, 2013 I know you are trying to get into making tackle in hopes of selling but unless you have a real passion to do it I would advise against it. The first thing is that you are not going to compete against big manufacturers, you aren't going to do the volume but, there is a niche, the custom lure crowd and tournament anglers, these groups pay more for a better made product as by doing low volume there is more attention to detail and often better components and hooks that what is mass produced. If you go into this looking for the cheaper way to do things, well it isn't going to get you to far, the market is saturated and there is a product at every price level so you have to make a great product at a reasonable price in a reasonable amount of time so have quality equipment is part of doing that. Another part is that you are going to have to use good hooks, be prepared to buy in lots of 1000 or more to get a price that will allow you a greater profit margin, if you can't buy in bulk and make a high quality jig, well your profit margin is going to be very thin, after you pay the excise tax you'll be looking at making a few cents per jig and that is why you have to have a passion for it because you will put in a lot of hours and get little for it, trust me. I love helping guys get into tackle making, I think it is a super rewarding hobby and I love to see all the different creations people come up with and the feeling you get catching a fish on a lure you made yourself is unbelievable but if you want to do it to save money or make money I will tell you the truth, you won't save money, well not right away, it will take years to recoup the start up cost, and as I already outlined, the profit margins are so low that you have to have a passion as often you will be getting less than minimum wage when you add up what you make versus the amount of hours. If you truly think you will like doing it and think you'll make money then consider investing at least $300, that will get you enough to make around 50 jigs. If you still think you will continue I will gladly help, I once had a side business while working a day job so I've been on that side as well as now being a hobbyist so I know how to begin but you can't go into it looking for cheap, especially when it comes to molds as that is your product, instead look on tackle making web sites for used molds, check ebay and the same tackle making web sites out for hooks and other things, often guys that had businesses or a big hobby looking to get out will sell their stuff at a discount but it will be far from cheap. Oh, I wasn't looking for serious profit, just a way to make a few bucks with a hobby I'll have during the Illinois cabin fever season Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted October 27, 2013 Super User Posted October 27, 2013 Oh, I wasn't looking for serious profit, just a way to make a few bucks with a hobby I'll have during the Illinois cabin fever season Great!!! I know it was long and boring but I've been making tackle for 17 years now and over that time I bought a lot of paint, wire, tools, and pounds of skirt material from guys that asked the exact same question as you did and rather than lose a chunk of change on something that may not generate the results you want and therefore cause you to stop and sell off your stuff, I figured I'd give you the whole story. 1 Quote
coryn h. fishowl Posted October 27, 2013 Author Posted October 27, 2013 quite frankly, I'd be happy just to break even and be able to keep a few jigs Quote
RyneB Posted November 23, 2013 Posted November 23, 2013 I had this same idea 2 years ago. I bought all my heads pre poured from Cadman, then I bought all my paint, skirt material, wire, vise, etc. I made about 150 jigs. I maybe sold 20 or so to friends and a few people I met at ramps. Then i started building my own spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. I enjoy doing it and that's why I keep doing. It definitely helps pass the winter if im not ice fishing. I was never in it to profit, but I love knowing that on the water I have as many jigs as i want at my disposal. I am a huge swim jig and football head jig fisherman. It is nothing for me to lose up to 5 jigs if im flipping trees. its nice knowing if i lose one i have backups. If i lose all my backups, its nothing for me to go home and tie the same pattern. Good luck and have fun Quote
Will Wetline Posted November 23, 2013 Posted November 23, 2013 I'll recap: You will not be able to compete with the major players making a small investment of tools and materials. The right understanding going in is that you enjoy detail work as a separate but obviously related hobby. Expect to spend around $200.00 for start up supplies. And yeah, it makes for a bigger smile when you bust a bass on a jig you designed and made. 1 Quote
Super User smalljaw67 Posted November 23, 2013 Super User Posted November 23, 2013 Awesome setup with the all thread and box for a jig rack, you just gave me an idea for a new curing rack, excellent stuff Will, excellent!!! Quote
Super User Oregon Native Posted November 27, 2013 Super User Posted November 27, 2013 Poison jig from do-it...one of my favorites for snag free fishing Quote
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