central.PA.bass Posted February 26, 2011 Posted February 26, 2011 what does it take to start making jigs and what is the cost approximately? Where would I buy the led to melt? I think it'd be cool to be able to make, paint, and tie my own jigs.. i'm sorry if this topis has been covered a lot. I never usually browse in this section. Thanks guys! Quote
lynyrdsky1 Posted February 26, 2011 Posted February 26, 2011 If you got bass pro, I know they sell lead there. You can probably try your local scrap yard. Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted February 26, 2011 Super User Posted February 26, 2011 You can buy the molds from a number of sources, check out Do-it molds website and see if they have links to a tacklemaking supply company. I haven't been on their web in a long time. I got mine from Jannsnetcraft.com and at the time I think it was $32, If I'm not mistaken the molds (depending on what type of mold you want) generally run in the $38-$40 dollar range. The molds will tell you exactly what hook you'll need as well. Check around on the lead. Lead has gone through the roof lately. To get started, you can melt down some of those old bullet heads and lead weights you may have laying around. I get my lead from a local auto service station. It's not pure, you need to really heat it up and scrape off the impurities and other alloys, but for me, free is free. I generally get my skirt material from Janns as well, but, again there are a number of outlets that sells skirt material. If you happen to bump into a site that sells the mold, you'll find the skirt materials. Oh, and skirtmaking.com has a huge selection. If you go onto www.tacklemaking.com you read some helpful article. on the main page there is a tab that's called "and more", cruise around that tab and you'll find more links than you can shake a stick at. As far as being cheaper, IDK, I seriously doubt it, but where I'm making for myself and living here in New England, it makes for a long, cold winter a little more enjoyable. There are a number of people on this forum who make jigs and I'm sure will add a great deal to what I've just posted, but this will get you started in the right direction or at least surfing the web more...LOL Hope this helps. Good luck. Quote
cadman Posted February 26, 2011 Posted February 26, 2011 The intial cost for start-up is expensive. However if you intend on making your own jigs over the years, and maybe selling some to friends and neighbors, the cost naturally will be absorbed. Like JigFishn10 mentioned, it is a good winter hobby to build up your stock for the season and keep from getting Spring Fever. I have some tutorials I can send you to give you a rough idea on start-up costs of everything. PM me your e-mail, this way you can see if this is something you want to invest in. For most guys that do this religiously it is a passion to create something from nothing and then catch fish on it. Like anything else there are good days and bad days, hopefully you have more goood days. Good Luck Quote
central.PA.bass Posted February 27, 2011 Author Posted February 27, 2011 Thanks for the information guys! Eventually, I would love to have the equipment to make my own, but i really like the idea of just buying some simple plain jigs for the price and kinda 50/50 the making.. they'll still be personalized minus the making the head part.. Quote
central.PA.bass Posted February 27, 2011 Author Posted February 27, 2011 cadman, Email Sent! Jimmy Mo Quote
cadman Posted February 27, 2011 Posted February 27, 2011 cadman, Email Sent! Jimmy Mo Jimmy, I sent you a bunch of info should keep you busy for awhile Quote
bigbassctchr101 Posted February 28, 2011 Posted February 28, 2011 I personally found that the cost is much cheaper by pouring your own heads. I fish 3-4 tournaments a week during the summer and a jig contributes alot to my fishing. The main reason it probably is cheaper, is because if I get hung up, I don't have to troll over top my fish, I just break it off after a few tries. I get lead from tire places that have a lot of the lead balancing pieces. Thats free minus gas to go get them. Buy bulk in hooks and skirts you want to use. So, I guess if you use several it would eventually help you out. Especially when you consider you can make a $3.50 jig with little effort at a fraction of the cost. So, it will eventually pay off. I've cut off 10-15 jigs in all night tournaments so I wouldn't spook fish, if you go through them like that, you should definitely consider it!! lol Quote
MNGeorge Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Your idea to buy the jig heads and do your own skirts is what I have begun doing this winter. If you shop around for the jig heads, I've found you can easily reduce your cost per jig by at least 1/3 and sometimes by 1/2. I have found it to be an enjoyable way to pass some wintertime hours, I've lowered my cost per jig, and I have jigs made the way I like them in the colors I like. Quote
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