PBJ's and Wermz

[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I just put up a post over on the Jig and Lure Making board and thought there might be some Utah folks that would like to see some of the new stuff I have been playing with in my tackletorium.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been pouring, wrapping and fishing with jigs for a long time. Last year I experiemented with making my own little "wermz" for ice fishing, by wrapping some craft cord on a 1/32 oz. jig hook and then doctoring it up with some of my super glow powder. I made them in both chartreuse and in white with a green glow in the dark. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Got lots of fish on them last year so I was expanding my line this year when I got a wild idea. Why not make some painted body jigs...PBJ's? So, I tied some tails and wrapped some craft cord bodies on various sizes of hooks and heads. Then I painted and glittered the bodies to match the heads...or contrasting in some cases. I came out with some pretty good looking stuff, in all the colors I use most for ice fishing.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I already know they like the "Glow Wermz". Now I gotta introduce the fishies to my PBJ's.[/#0000ff]
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[road]

Looks like someone is going to be trageting the slimers this ice season. Nice looking PBJ's TD I know a couple of those patterens work @ RC.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Yeah, the slimers eat 'em good, but they were originally designed for finicky perchies...especially the "Tiger Werm". And, there are some days, when the perch are being touchy, that a small glow goodie works better than my big ol' perch urchins.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Wanna help me field/water test some of the new stuff?[/#0000ff]
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[Kraizee_Skot]

[font "Times New Roman"][#ff4040][size 3]Those look great TD. Looks like your going to be catching quite a few fishies this ice season.[/size][/#ff4040][/font]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]If you would get your priorities straight, and go fishing, you might catch a few too.[/#0000ff]
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[2fishon]

Do you sell any of your creations? As an aside, Yuba is still completely ice free. There was a guy out on a toon this evening.
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[Kraizee_Skot]

[font "Times New Roman"][#ff4040][size 3][cool]Yeah that's true. It's been so long that I don't think I even remember how, but maybe you might want to help me refresh my memory sometime?[/size][/#ff4040][/font]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I do not sell any of my stuff. But, I do occasionally "barter" a bit, if someone has something worthwhile to trade. I don't have much in material (hard dollar) cost in them, but they are very time consuming. Nobody could afford what I would have to charge if I factored in my time...even at minimum wage. Some of those little critters require about 10-12 separate steps to make.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Petty and others on the board have gotten into jig making and are accumulating both supplies and skills. We do have several "jig parties" during the year for those who would like to learn how to make their own. It is not as hard as some might think and a lot of fun.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Thanks for the info on Yuba. I was wondering about it. I made a trip down about this time last year though, and it was tough fishing. It has not been fishing as well this year so not sure I would want to "invest" in a trip unless I heard a good fishing report.[/#0000ff]
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[road]

You know I would love the chance to *test* a few. Some of those flies you made are just killers! Similar flies have never caught me a fish at DC. But what a blast with a couple of those. As you well know timming is everything at DC.
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[Flycasting]

Very Nice Pat!

The PBJ's are very similar to what I trying right now. I have gone with a 1/32 to 1/64 oz head in glow with a red or green eye, green glow cord for the body and green glow flashabou for the tail. Simple tie, but they look like they'll score a fishy 'er two. []
When I get a second I'll post a pic of them.

I haven't even started thinking about painting yet. Where do you normally get your paints at? I was looking at Sportsman's yesterday, but didn't find much.

I really need to take you up on your offer to tour the "tackletorium." If I am gonna get into this jig/lure making thing, I need to see the master at work! [cool]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Must be that big gob of Powerbait you put on those flies. Makes them tougher to cast but the planter rainbows sure like it. (Sorry, Marty. Couldn't help myself)[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Hey, I know the guy that ties those flies. Maybe we can talk him out of a few more.[/#0000ff]
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[road]

Hey that glob of powerbait is what gets them to the fish! Adds a little needed color (lol) and sparkle (LMAO). Now what planter could resist that!
Hey Pat I'm headed to the basin this morning. Hopefully to just check on that job and return ASAP. So I'll drop ya a PM this evening when I get home.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]The Sportsmans in Midvale usually has a supply of the most commonly used vinyl jig enamel colors...in the small bottles. Cabelas sometimes has a few of the larger 4 oz. bottles but they have cut way back on what they carry for lure making.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I usually buy my paints wherever I am making an online order for other items. However I have found Cabelas about the best pricewise. Lurecraft and Stamina both have good assortments of colors at good prices.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you come down, you will also see another line of vinyl paints I get only from Barlows...[url "http://www.barlowstackle.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&User_ID=3804172&st=9430&st2=64004033&st3=64459461&Product_ID=2265&CATID=58"][font "Times"][size 3]Vinyl Paint - Electroflect Colors[/size][/font][/url][/#0000ff][#000000] [/#000000]


Electroflect candy color liquid paints are formulated with
special dyes that provide brilliant, transparent, fluorescent colors.
4 oz. Bottle only

[size 2] 002 - Candy Yellow Chartreuse [/size] [size 2] 003 - Candy Green Chartreuse [/size] [size 2] 004 - Candy Orange [/size] [size 2] 006 - Candy Pink [/size] [size 2] 007 - Candy Red [/size] [size 2] 011 - Candy Green[/size] [size 2] 015 - Candy Purple [/size] [size 2] [/size][size 2]019 - Candy Blue[/size]
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[#0000ff]This stuff makes a super transparent metallic color over bare metal...of jigs, lure bodies and blades.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, most of the commercially available "glow paints" do not produce a very bright or long lasting glow. Neither do a lot of the tieing materials. You need to keep recharging them to keep the glow.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I make my glow paint by mixing a super space age glow powder from [url "http://extremeglow.com/"]http://extremeglow.com/[/url] with clear vinyl jig paint and putting it over either white or chartreuse...then topping it with a clear coat and glitter. This stuff glows for hours once you charge it up. The inside of my work area looks like an airplane cockpit when I turn the lights off at night, and is still glowing in the morning.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Come on down.[/#0000ff]
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[Flycasting]

Thanks for the info Pat. Looks like my credit card is gonna get a work out. LOL []
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]With those twins and that new home, I would imagine that Christmas is already putting scorch marks on your plastic. Better have your new cards made on asbestos.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]It really does take a few bucks to "tool up", but as you have witnessed, being able to craft your own stuff can sometimes help you create things that outproduce the things available from tackle purveyors. Why should we settle for what they tell us we need, when we can be unlimited in our imagination?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]BWA-HA-HA-HAAAAA!!!!![/#0000ff]
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[catchandrelease]

Question out of curiosity: I've notice that some of the bends on your hooks aren't the "normal" bend. Do you bend them yourself or do you buy them that way? What is the difference between the two? I'd be interested in jig making...because I mostly just use a jig head and some of those look really, really fishy.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Good observation. I am pouring more and more of my jigs on the Matzuo "sickle" hooks. They are available through Cabelas and Barlows, but I have not found them elsewhere. They are about the same price as Eagle Claw 575 (gold) that I have been using for years, but they are the sharpest hooks "out of the box" of any regular priced hook on the market. They hook fish well and fingers too. I always loose blood when working or fishing with them.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I use them in sizes 6 through 4/0, for a wide range of jigs and roadrunners. I also use them for my single hook spinners. There are several other BFTers on the board who have tried some of my Matzuo hook stuff and have good things to say about them. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here is a picture of the red model, from the Cabelas web site. They also come in bronze, gold and black nickle.[/#0000ff]

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[Flycasting]

I can personally attest to the effectiveness of those hooks. They are sharp, sharp, sharp. I have had them go clean through the lip of a hard mouthed wiper, and that's no easy task.
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[catchandrelease]

Is there a difference in effectiveness(aside from sharpness) in your opinion? What are the advantages, drawbacks? That's interesting. I have a brother that works for Cabelas....interesting.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Well, you asked for it. I have been doing EXTENSIVE testing and experimentation over about the last year and a half.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff] About the only discernable "negative" is that there is a smaller barb on the hooks and that sometimes makes it easier to lose bait to pesky nibblers. The "upside" of that same trait (small barb) translates to easier release of fish...either into the water or into your fish basket or live well...without tearing up the fishes' mouths.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some of the positive differences, as noted by myself and other "converts" to the sickle hook:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Slightly wider gap on the same size hook as other brands. When combined with the sharpness of the hooks, that seems to help increase the percentage of hookups.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. The fine (but strong) wire on the hooks aids in complete hook penetration. Many fish are lost after hookup, on other hooks, due to incomplete penetration, poor hooksets, etc.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]3. The unique design of the sickle hook makes for a "direct line of pull" from the line through the business part of the hook. This also increases hook setting efficiency and in keeping the fish hooked afterwards.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]4. The design of the hooks actually adds to their strength. Although made of thinner steel than some other hooks, sickle hooks hold large fish without bending, once the hook is set. The flip side of that is that they will bend open and allow you to retrieve your hook or lure if only the point snags in a branch or rock.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Believe me, I have tried virtually every kind of hook ever sold through almost any and every tackle purveyor. There are other hooks on the market that are super sharp and much stronger...but they are also more "spendy". And, there are plenty of "image conscious" anglers who feel they have to pay 50 cents a hook or they are not worthy of fishing among others. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Not me. I look for the best performance at the most "reasonable" price...not necessarily the cheapest. When I compare the combination of sharpness, hooking effectiveness, strength, etc. with the price, I choose the Matzuos for a high percentage of my fishing needs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]By the way, if you click on the [url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat20291&rid=&indexId=cat20291&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat20291&id=0017776"]MATZUO HOOKS[/url] page on Cabelas you will note that they have quite a few designs. I llke their ring eye hooks, bait (octopus) hooks and trebles too. Some of them are more spendy than the jig hooks but still a good value when compared to some of the other "imports".[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are really interested in learning more about jig making, we have a couple or three "jig parties" every year. P4L sometimes hosts them in Ogden area. We have other sites from time to time in Salt Lake or Utah Counties. As quite a few BFTers will attest, I am fairly open about one-on-one show and tell sessions at my tackletorium in Salt Lake. If you really get serious and wanna get involved, send me a PM and we can work something out.[/#0000ff]
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