First Jig Mold?

[Ben Eipert]

I am wanting to start pouring jigs and need advice on a good mold to start with. I will be fishing the Powell side of Lake Norris in TN. It is a deep clear lake, I fish mainly sparse brush and rocks. The visibility is between 12-8ft most of the time. I love to throw tubes on light heads, flukes, light jigs, and worms. I already have a friend that I get traditional jigs from (jig and pig) and just need something that is versatile and can be used to fish a tube. Mostly just lighter finesse tactics. Thanks ahead. I know this is a bunch but I have had a hard time figuring this out. I am looking at the screw lock worm jighead and the ball head with the wire keeper. 

Thanks,

Ben Eipert

[Jig Man]

It sounds to me like you need to spend some time on the Do-It site and see what they have to offer that suits you.

[Ben Eipert]

I have been spending a lot of time on it. I have narrowed it down between the worm nose with screw-lock, the round head with wire keeper, or the shake it jig with screw lock. I just was wondering if anyone had recommendations.

Thanks,

Ben Eipert

[dolomieu]

Hey Ben, I grew up on Norris, and still consider it my home lake even though I don't live close anymore. It can be really tough at times, but I still have a soft spot for it. It's good to see a fellow Norris fisherman on here.

 

As for your question, if you're looking for the most versatile mold, I guess I would lean toward the round head with  wire keeper. That should cover your tubes, grubs, etc, and it looks like you could use it as a shakey head too, although the hooks are going to be a little smaller than most shakey heads. Just my two cents, but I'm sure you could make any of those work. Good luck, hope Norris treats you well.

[Jig Man]

OK then like stated above the round head would be my starter. Don't worry because it won't be long before you own all of them. I started out with a borrowed Arke. Now after selling off the ones I don't use any more, I have a couple of dozen in the top of my fishing closet.

[Ben Eipert]

Thanks! The roundhead with screwlock keeper has the hook sizes that are a little bigger. Only issue is I do no like the screw lock keeper, I think ther tear up baits more. Can I use the wire keepers in that mold or just go with the roundhead with wire keeper. Also would smaller hooks be that much of an issue anyway?

Thanks,

Ben Eipert

[dolomieu]

 Can I use the wire keepers in that mold or just go with the roundhead with wire keeper.

 

I would just go with the roundhead w/ the keeper

 

 

Also would smaller hooks be that much of an issue anyway?

 

As I mentioned, the shakey head jigs generally have the larger hook, and I think those are optimal for that presentation, but that doesn't mean you can't hook a fish with a smaller sizes. 

 

By the way, I just ran across this Black Friday sale that may interest you if you plan on buying a mold soon:

 

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QexI1Y7H ... b3pBD3BA==

LurePartsOnline.com

10% Discount AND Free Shipping*

PROMO CODE: CYBER14A

Min Order $75 - Expires midnight (CST) Dec 1, 2014 - *Cont USA Only

[Ben Eipert]

Alright. Thanks again. You have cleared things up quite a bit.

Ben Eipert

[starcraft1]

Ben,

Before you decide on a place to buy your molds check with both Lure-Craft (poor boys baits) and Barlow's. Both buy a lot of do-it molds and pass the savings to us.I know Barlow's has what your looking for for much less that Do-it themselves.

On the shakey head you can use a wire of the same thickness instead of the screw lock just make sure you bend the wire inside the mold so it won't pull out. A pair of needle nose pliers is all you'll need for that job.

Don't forget safety, gloves, mask, and a well ventilated area away from any water (rain if outdoors). Water will cause your melted lead to splatter everywhere.