Fishing Forum

[#505000]Ok since I now have an official space to build my stuff I am starting to expand my operation some. I got the mini-fridge full of drinks under the counter, I got my toaster over, my anvil, hammers, glitter, paint, fly vice, tying stuff, a horde of lead ingots, my melter, and a handful of jig molds. I am on the verge of being dangerous.[/#505000]
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[#505000]That being said I have decided to expand my line of molds. I have about eight molds, but I was curious to see what the top 10 molds everyone has they can't live without. I kow Tubedude would have to cut about 90 molds from his inventory if I asked him to only use 10. [] If you could only own 10 molds which are the top ten must haves?[/#505000]
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I'm no jig maker, but I was curious if you can make a jig like the Spro Premium Bucktail Jigs. Is there a mold for those?

I don't know if you've ever used them before, but they are truely a superior jig, and i've used about every kind there is as far as 3/4 oz and up. I use them primarily in saltwater around reefs. They don't drop strait down, they "swim" down and have a great action. I usually add on a strip of squid or belly and the sea bass and flounder tear them up; along with anything else on the reef. They are made with a Gamakatsu hook, but if there was a mold for them, obviously you could put any hook in there you wanted.

Any thoughts?
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[#505000]I'm not familr with that particular jig. Can you post a picture?[/#505000]
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Here you go sir:
[center] [/center] [center] [/center] [center] [/center] [left]The eyes protrude out, and they actually "swim." It's a pretty awesome Jig. I'll send you one if you want an even better look. Then you can try one out too. [cool][/left]
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[#505000]It would appear that such a mold exists!![/#505000]

[url "http://www.do-itmolds.com/products/jigmolds.php?UID=20070308072141209.90.102.21&category=ultra_minnow_jig"]http://www.do-itmolds.com/products/jigmolds.php?UID=20070308072141209.90.102.21&category=ultra_minnow_jig[/url]
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Thanks bro! Looks good [cool]

To be continued.......................
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[cool][#0000ff]My top ten molds are the ones on the top row...right? Actually I have just under 50 now...including the latest I got for making lead spinner bodies and drop shot weights. Sweet.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I'm sure you realize that one's choice of preferred molds is going to be based both upon what part of the country one fishes and what one's favorite style of fishing might be. Simple...like my own self.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You have visited my tackletorium and we have discussed this topic before. But, just for public discussion, here goes:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Roadrunners...I have 4 different molds for these "pony jigs" (with spinners) that range from barbless (for dressed jigs) to ones for plastic tails. The latter can produce heads from 1/48 oz. to 2 oz. I probably use the 1/16 oz. and 1/8 oz. more than any for the light tackle fishing I prefer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Round heads...with and without the barb for plastics. Again, I have several that produce heads from 1/32 oz. to over 1 oz. I tie up a lot of "baitbugs", ice jigs and small marabou jigs, so I use a lot of the plain round with no barb. But, I also fish a lot of small twisters so I make quite a few barbed round heads.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]"Minnow" heads. These angular heads have the barb on the top and are designed to fish plastic tubes. They can also be used for twisters or swim baits. I like the flattened angular head for keeping the lure swimming in a straight line. I use these mostly in the 1/16 oz. and 1/8 oz. size and I often pour the small heads on larger hooks, for fishing larger plastics in shallow rocky water to prevent snagging. I also flatten the heads sometimes, with smooth pliers, to create a bit of flutter on the drop.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Shad Dart heads. These conical head jigs are great for casting and retrieving, since their flat face causes them to "dart" from side to side in the water. That can be deadly for some predatory species. However, they also make great jigs for the vertical approach. The balance of the head is such that the jig rides in a horizontal attitude when fished straight down. The natural silhouette is appealing to many fish. I also flatten these heads...both horizontally and laterally. The ones I flatten from side to side I call "glider" jigs. They slip and slide to one side or the other when dropped on a vertical presentation.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Shad heads. These angular heads are like minnow heads, only larger. They are ideal for fishing swim baits (shad bodies). With their flattened shape, they do track through te water well when retrieved or trolled.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Tube jig heads. These slender cylindrical heads make it possible to quickly thread a tube onto a head...point first...without seriously damaging the soft plastic.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Spear point heads. These long heads, with the hook eye in the middle, are great both for making dressed jigs (hair or feathers) but also for making heavier ice fishing jigs. Like the dart heads, these jigs ride mostly horizontal, for a better presentation when vertical jigging.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Casting spoons. By inserting a wire form in a mold you can make flattened lead jigging spoons. I really use these a lot, especially when vertical jigging in water deeper than about 12 feet[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That is only 8 styles, but again, I have two or three different molds to make each of these styles. I also have a few molds that I got for special times and places and do not use much now. But, I am ready if I ever need them again.[/#0000ff]
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Quote:[size 1][#0000ff]including the latest I got for making lead spinner bodies and drop shot weights. Sweet.[/#0000ff] [/size]

[/#0000ff][/size][#505000]It's funny you should mention that particular mold as I have been eyeballing it now for a couple of days. With the price of brass spinner bodies, [shocked] casting my own from lead seems to be a more economical alternative (ignoring the price of the mold itself that is).[/#505000]
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[#505000]With a little blade dip the plain lead can take on a variety of colors anyway.[/#505000]
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[cool][#0000ff]You can also use Christmas ornament hangers or even straightened paper clips to run through them and make a hook to hang them during the drying process of painting. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been using them for ice fishing drop shot weights and attractors for a couple of years. Attached is a pic of the old style weights.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here is a copy of the info from Barlows on the mold I am now using. I have already made some super drop shot weights from it too.[/#0000ff]
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