Short Shank Swimbait Jigheads

[Jacob Phelps]

I enjoy fishing swimbaits and a couple of lakes I fish are perfect for this technique. The problem is there aren't a lot of heavy jigheads that have a small enough hook to rig a smaller swimbait (around 3" long). I have been thinking about getting into jig making and have been looking into my jighead options. Are there any 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz jighead molds that will allow for a shorter shank hook to rig smaller swimbaits? A lot of these molds recommend certain hooks and hook sizes. What would happen if I use a smaller hook sizes than what's recommended?

[Guitarfish]

I feel ya on the search for the right jig. Maybe look for a bullet head?

 

If you put a smaller hook in the mold the lead will squeeze past the shaft in my experience. 

 

If I'm finesse fishing I'm using a lighter jig.  Maybe you can add split shots up the line a foot? 

 

Good luck.

[Munkin]

Most Do-It mold cavities will take one or two size smaller hooks. Otherwise break out the dremel and make them fit.

 

Allen

[Bluebasser86]

Find the mold you like and most likely, there's a hook that will fit or is close enough you can make it fit with a little modification. I've hacked some molds up about beyond recognition (well beyond them being able to be used for their original purpose), to get a mold that I wanted.

[scaleface]

Google DOA Short Shank jig heads . 

[Bdnoble84]

Im actually in the process of researching this exact thing. I have a walleye head mold that works nicely for swimming and does an ok job of holding swimbaits. I have been ising lil nasty and 570 hooks in it. But they are too short and not deep enough in my opinion with the larger 3.8/4.3 fat impact style baits. Therefore i have been looking for a 90 degree option that will fit in the mold but is mainly longer in blknckl finish. What ive been doing and might benefit you too, is go on barlows tackle. Most of their jig hooks are displayed in a way that shows their size in inches as well as comparing different hook sizes in that line. I think with downsizing you may be able to find a hook that will fit a 1/2 or 5/8 but is shorter and lighter wire.

[WRB]

Do-It Mold SYN-3-AYN with Owner 5317 60 degree bend hook comes in 3/8 oz, 1/2 oz, 5/8 oz.

Less expensive hook is Mustad 32786 BN.

Don’t know why you are looking for a “shorter” hook?

Tom

[Bdnoble84]

Dont want to speak for op but i beleive or Its for the small 2.8 type baits. Ussing a big heavy wire 3 or 4/o hook really is overkill on those baits. I played with this alittle bit this summer and a lightwire 1-3/0 thin wire (think ned/hair/grub hook) seemed like a great size for these

[WRB]

Use a Gammy 291 size 2/0, or 3/0 the mold shouldn’t leak around a hook a few thousands small wire diameter.

The issue is 1/2 to 3/4 oz swim jig using 3” swimmers.

Tom

 

[Munkin]

In about a month I will have some. Working on the prototype now.  My question for everyone is do they need eyes.

 

Allen 

[Bdnoble84]

I am curious though, what is thethought behind a 1/2 to 3/4 head with a 3” swimbait? Only application i could really see is rip jigging in current for walleye.

[Munkin]

Going to make these in 1/4,3/8,and 1/2oz with different keepers and smaller hooks. 

 

Allen 

[detroit1]

I wish all my heads had wire keepers...

[Bdnoble84]

9 minutes ago, detroit1 said:

I wish all my heads had wire keepers...

100%. I started experimenting with it last lime I poured poisontails but it didnt work great. I need to keep experimenting. I think my wire was too thick. Thats all part of the fun though

[Munkin]

6 hours ago, Bdnoble84 said:

100%. I started experimenting with it last lime I poured poisontails but it didnt work great. I need to keep experimenting. I think my wire was too thick. Thats all part of the fun though

 

Use the longer wire keepers for Do-It molds. 

 

Allen 

[Munkin]

10 hours ago, detroit1 said:

I wish all my heads had wire keepers...

Between Mike and myself we can probably set you up. 

 

Allen 

[Munkin]

[Bluebasser86]

On 12/18/2020 at 1:48 PM, Bdnoble84 said:

I am curious though, what is thethought behind a 1/2 to 3/4 head with a 3” swimbait? Only application i could really see is rip jigging in current for walleye.

We swim them 50-70 feet down on Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Beaver lake. It takes a long time for a standard 1/4-3/8oz head to get down that far (takes quite a while with the big heads), and it's really hard to keep it there.

[Bdnoble84]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

We swim them 50-70 feet down on Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Beaver lake. It takes a long time for a standard 1/4-3/8oz head to get down that far (takes quite a while with the big heads), and it's really hard to keep it there.

Completely makes sense. I could see it being an effective reaction bite presentation around  dropoffs and deep weed edges as well. Thanks for the clarification

[Bluebasser86]

On 12/18/2020 at 1:11 PM, Munkin said:

  My question for everyone is do they need eyes.

 

Allen 

IMO, eyes are completely unnecessary. 

[VolFan]

IMO even paint is extremely overrated.

[Munkin]

Prototypes are done just trying some different hooks and keepers.  These are either 3/8 or 1/2oz with 2/0 lighter wire hooks. Waiting on the ones I painted to dry.

 

Allen 

[detroit1]

"Need eyes and paint?" probabally not, but would look better to us. Sometimes that helps..

[Munkin]

1 hour ago, detroit1 said:

"Need eyes and paint?" probabally not, but would look better to us. Sometimes that helps..

They have the wire keepers like everyone seems to want. 

 

Allen 

[Bluebasser86]

The wire keepers are a big deal because a 2.8 Keitech goes from a 1-2 fish bait to a 3-5 fish bait.

 

I agree that paint isn't even a requirement. I can always paint my own but the color of lead is fairly baitfish colored anyways, especially when those teeth marks start digging in and exposing the shiny part under the surface.