Bait modifications

[bigspirit]

Just picked up this 6th sense divine swim jig this weekend. It came with a spiral lock bait keeper on it which I’m not a huge fan of when they’re around the shank of a hook. Kind of annoying to spin a bait around when you have to fold the tail under the hook gap, plus, I’m a big fan Zman plastics and they are even more of a pain to use with this style keeper. So, I used a small paper clip (just something simple on hand) and bent the end back, clipped it off, and super glued it to the shank. I plan to wrap with thread (such as with tying a fly) and finishing off with a sealant. 
 

Figured this might help someone out. It’s a little bit of a hassle, but I’m still waiting for ice to clear out so I was looking for something to tinker with. In the future I may just go with a different brand to accommodate my Zman plastics but I think this will work for now. 
 

 

[Finessegenics]

Nice job. I'm also not a fan of screw lock  bait keepers. I like the Hack Attack Fluoro jig but the keeper is a PITA. How'd you remove the screw lock keeper?

[bigspirit]

Honestly was pretty easy with some wire cutters. Just had to use the tip of the cutters to snip it where it stems out of the lead head, didn’t take but a second or two

[bigbassin']

1 hour ago, Finessegenics said:

Nice job. I'm also not a fan of screw lock  bait keepers. I like the Hack Attack Fluoro jig but the keeper is a PITA. How'd you remove the screw lock keeper?

I just shove the bait into the keeper and haven’t had any issues, might be a problem with elaztech but regular plastics have held together fine.

[Bluebasser86]

Use a lighter and heat the screwlock for Zman baits.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I did the same thing with a bunch of my original chatterbaits w/o a keeper.  Instead of wire I used 60 lb mono and it works pretty well. 

[Brayberry]

So I've done the same thing for about 2 years but I've found the paperclip is to heavy a wire and will rip softer plastics. So I do everything the same as you I just use Christmas ornament hangers as the metal. They are dirt cheap, especially after Christmas. Easier to cut, bend, and work with. 

[bigspirit]

10 hours ago, Brayberry said:

So I've done the same thing for about 2 years but I've found the paperclip is to heavy a wire and will rip softer plastics. So I do everything the same as you I just use Christmas ornament hangers as the metal. They are dirt cheap, especially after Christmas. Easier to cut, bend, and work with. 

Good to know, that does sound like it would work better. Thanks for the input, I’ll have to give that a shot next time 

[WRB]

I The simple and effective technique is to add a re barb shank sleeve to the jig hook shank. 1/8” shrink tubing cut 45 degrees in the middle of 1” long length yield 2 pieces 1/2” long. Slide around and down the jig hook flat end to the jig head. Heat with diarrhea dried. The 45 degree end curls up to form a barb. Simple and works good.

Another method is coarse wrap the jig hook shank with 20-30 # mono line on the straight hook shank to the bend and tie off with a sheep shank knot (double half hitch). Cut the mono tag ends off leaving about a 1/16” standing up. Coat the coarse wrap mono with super glue. This holds soft plastic trailers onto the hook shank.

Tom