Gman's

[Jigfishn10]

During the winter I had a conversation with GMAN about the lead ban MA will be implementing in 2012 which will ban lead sinkers and jigs less than 1 oz. I can see lead sinkers being banned, but I didn’t know how I would deal with the rising costs of non-toxic jigs I’ll be experiencing a year from now.

During our conversation, he was asking questions about the waters I fished, weights of jigs I used and general likes and dislikes of jig styles.

I got a PM a few days later from him asking me to try out his finesse jig he can make with non-toxic materials. I ended up purchasing a few of them and I’m glad I did.

I ended up buying some 3/8 oz jigs. The head is a little bigger than a standard 3/8 oz lead head, but you basically have to cast a ½ oz jig to get a 3/8 oz head to make up for the density and weight loss of lead with I’m assuming the alloy he used. I’m sure he can let you all know what that alloy is if need be.

The skirt was tied on with wire, so you never get the feeling that it will ever turn over or completely come off on you.

At the business end, you will find a Mustad Ultra point hook that will easily penetrate any fish’s mouth let alone a bass. You will feel confident that this will not only hook a fish, but won’t straighten out on you.

I was able to get out and fish this jig. I paired it with an Xcite Raptor Tail Jr. Craw and fished brush, thick weeds and over chunk rock. Not a chip on the durable painted head after coming thru the rocks and is by far the easiest jig I’ve used coming through weeds and brush.

I’m glad I had that friendly conversation with him over the winter. He recommended a jig that he knew would flat out work for me.

Thanks GMAN, I’m sure I’ll be stocking up on these non-toxic jigs for next year and will have to get some of these made with standard lead for the remainder of this year.

[cigarleaf]

Wow thats great!! I also live in MA and bought alot of lead jigs from GMAN last year. I hope he can start making more of these non-toxic jigs and have them up on his website.

In the future there's going to be more and more states banning lead fishing lures.

[tyrius.]

I haven't used any of the non-toxic jigs, but GMAN's regular jigs are top notch and the only ones that I buy.

Great service at the best price that I've seen anywhere.

[PondBoss]

Living in Oklahoma, I'm sure we will never ban lead for lures. That being said, it's awesome that someone is nipping this soon to be problem in the bud. As a predominate jig fisherman, I'd love to get a hold of a jig or two from GMAN. Does he have a website?

[Big-O]

I'm sure they're great because all of his other jigs are!

Big O

www.ragetail.com

[tyrius.]

Does he have a website?

See my sig or click here

Gman's jigs

[GTrombly]

This was taken right from Mass Wildlife

"Regulatory Actions To Protect Loons

In 2001, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board prohibited the use of all lead sinkers* for the taking of fish in Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, the loons' primary habitat in the state.

In 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board unanimously voted to prohibit the use of lead sinkers, lead weights, and lead fishing jigs with a mass of less than 1 ounce in all inland waters of Massachusetts. This regulatory change will not take effect until January 1, 2012.

*Note: Lead sinkers do not include lead-fishing related items including, but not limited to, artificial lures, jigs, lead-core line, keel trolling weights, or weighted flies. "

See the note, what kind of jigs are banned?

[cigarleaf]

This was taken right from Mass Wildlife

"Regulatory Actions To Protect Loons

In 2001, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board prohibited the use of all lead sinkers* for the taking of fish in Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, the loons' primary habitat in the state.

In 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board unanimously voted to prohibit the use of lead sinkers, lead weights, and lead fishing jigs with a mass of less than 1 ounce in all inland waters of Massachusetts. This regulatory change will not take effect until January 1, 2012.

*Note: Lead sinkers do not include lead-fishing related items including, but not limited to, artificial lures, jigs, lead-core line, keel trolling weights, or weighted flies. "

See the note, what kind of jigs are banned?

From the DFW site 2011 abstract:

•Lead Sinkers at Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs: The use of lead fishing sinkers, including, but not limited to, split shot, bullet weights, egg sinkers, slip sinkers, bell sinkers, pinch sinkers, rubber grip sinkers, bank sinkers, pyramid sinkers, or twist, strap or wraparound sinkers for the taking of fish in the Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs is prohibited. Lead fishing sinkers DO NOT include other lead fishing-related items such as artificial lures, jigs, lead-core line, down-rigger weights, keel sinkers, torpedo casting and trolling sinkers, or weighted flies.

NOTE: Lead fishing sinkers and jigs less than 1 ounce will be prohibited in all inland waters of the Commonwealth effective January 1, 2012.

[Jigfishn10]

This was taken right from Mass Wildlife

"Regulatory Actions To Protect Loons

In 2001, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board prohibited the use of all lead sinkers* for the taking of fish in Quabbin and Wachusett Reservoirs, the loons' primary habitat in the state.

In 2009, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board unanimously voted to prohibit the use of lead sinkers, lead weights, and lead fishing jigs with a mass of less than 1 ounce in all inland waters of Massachusetts. This regulatory change will not take effect until January 1, 2012.

*Note: Lead sinkers do not include lead-fishing related items including, but not limited to, artificial lures, jigs, lead-core line, keel trolling weights, or weighted flies. "

See the note, what kind of jigs are banned?

The note pertains to the 2001 reg for the Quabbin an Wachusett Reservoirs which was really for sinkers. Now they went so far as implementing jigs as well for 2012. If you go to the CMR Definitions page they explain what a jig is..in a nut shell, they say lead molded to a hook.

[tyrius.]

Great service at the best price that I've seen anywhere.

Just bought 24 jigs (variety of types and sizes) for $56, with free shipping. A $2.30 average per jig for wire tied makes me less angry when I lose at least handful of them per trip.

Trying the mop, brush, and bullet ones this order. If they're as good as the rest then I'll have to give him another $50 (at least).

[Jigfishn10]

Just bought 24 jigs (variety of types and sizes) for $56, with free shipping. A $2.30 average per jig for wire tied makes me less angry when I lose at least handful of them per trip.

Trying the mop, brush, and bullet ones this order. If they're as good as the rest then I'll have to give him another $50 (at least).

I want to try the bullet ones, let me know how you like them. Hopefully I can get them non-tox for next year. There's no way I'm going jigless next year...LOL

GMAN, If there's a problem with the non-tox materials, I'll send the stock...LOL

[tyrius.]

I want to try the bullet ones, let me know how you like them. Hopefully I can get them non-tox for next year. There's no way I'm going jigless next year...LOL

They look great! Given how narrow the head is they should come through the grass really easily. I think the brush jigs look great too.

[Jigfishn10]

Have you tried the new ones you got in? If so, please let me know how they worked for you?

[tyrius.]

Have you tried the new ones you got in? If so, please let me know how they worked for you?

Just got them last night so I haven't tried them yet. I'll probably get out for a little while this weekend and will try them then, but there isn't any reason that they won't be as good as his other jigs. I am impressed with how narrow the head is on the bullet jig though. Looks more narrow than a bullet weight of the same weight.