08-01-2003, 10:58 PM
[cool]You are very flattering, myu. I HAVE been fishing for many years, and I have been making jigs for many years. I have over 30 different kinds of jig molds, and a "production" melting pot that lets me heat up to 10 pounds of lead. I also have several types of paints, in many colors,a and a rainbow of glitter colors too.
Over the years, there have been some fishing situations that challenged my creativity. I keep trying new types and sizes of jigs, and different colors. When I find something that works, I keep trying to make it better. The result is that I probably use a lot of jig heads that are not available anywhere else. And, as long as they work, I will keep using them.
I do not sell them commercially. However, I will provide a "starter kit" for you, and detailed pictures and instructions on every step in making them. Of course you have my permission to copy anything you want, and I hope you come up with some of your own original ideas, for the types of fishing you do.
You asked about the blue thread. I sometimes wrap the hook shank of a silver glitter jig hook with either dark blue, or blue tinsel.. This does two things. It helps hold plastic jigs on the hooks better, and it also shows through when I use either a clear sparkle or smoke sparkle plastic. This can be very effective when the bait fish have a blue sheen, or a line down their backs or sides. I slso make some with red tinsel.
The flat faced jig head is called a "shad dart". Originally these were designed for making jigs for the American shad, which migrates up fresh water rivers from the ocean, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. I have found them to be good jig heads for a wide variety of fishes. They zig zag when they are falling toward the bottom, and when you give them a sharp jerk, on the retrieve, they move around a lot and look like frightened bait. These heads are very good for vertical jigging.
The jig heads with the built in spinner blade are called "RoadRunners". They are patented by the Blakemore company and cannot be sold by anyone else. However, you can buy molds for "pony head" jigs from several manufacturers...either with the barb, for plastics, or without the barb, to make dressed jigs.
As you can guess, I fish with jigs most of the time. I do have a large collection of other lures, but it is seldom I find them more effective than some form of jigs. I find a lot of personal satisfaction in being able to pick the right size and color, to cast it properly and then fish it in a manner that will make the fish bite it. Jigs are lures that you have to work to be successful. Many other lures have all the action built in, and all you do is cast and retrieve. That is oversimplified, but it is true. Jigs work better when fished by better fishermen.
You asked is there a good reason for the different sizes and shapes. The previous paragraph helps answer that. If you are able to properly balance the size of the plastic or lure, with the right size and shape jig head, you can make the jig sink at the right speed and then work the right way to stimulate a strike. The shape and weight of the head have much to do with special presentations. After that, the colors and the spinners help the fish to see (and feel) the lure better, and to target it more accurately on the strike.
If you will send me both your email address and your mailing address, I will send you some sample jigs and some more written material on how to make them. You can use the Private Message feature on this forum.
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Over the years, there have been some fishing situations that challenged my creativity. I keep trying new types and sizes of jigs, and different colors. When I find something that works, I keep trying to make it better. The result is that I probably use a lot of jig heads that are not available anywhere else. And, as long as they work, I will keep using them.
I do not sell them commercially. However, I will provide a "starter kit" for you, and detailed pictures and instructions on every step in making them. Of course you have my permission to copy anything you want, and I hope you come up with some of your own original ideas, for the types of fishing you do.
You asked about the blue thread. I sometimes wrap the hook shank of a silver glitter jig hook with either dark blue, or blue tinsel.. This does two things. It helps hold plastic jigs on the hooks better, and it also shows through when I use either a clear sparkle or smoke sparkle plastic. This can be very effective when the bait fish have a blue sheen, or a line down their backs or sides. I slso make some with red tinsel.
The flat faced jig head is called a "shad dart". Originally these were designed for making jigs for the American shad, which migrates up fresh water rivers from the ocean, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. I have found them to be good jig heads for a wide variety of fishes. They zig zag when they are falling toward the bottom, and when you give them a sharp jerk, on the retrieve, they move around a lot and look like frightened bait. These heads are very good for vertical jigging.
The jig heads with the built in spinner blade are called "RoadRunners". They are patented by the Blakemore company and cannot be sold by anyone else. However, you can buy molds for "pony head" jigs from several manufacturers...either with the barb, for plastics, or without the barb, to make dressed jigs.
As you can guess, I fish with jigs most of the time. I do have a large collection of other lures, but it is seldom I find them more effective than some form of jigs. I find a lot of personal satisfaction in being able to pick the right size and color, to cast it properly and then fish it in a manner that will make the fish bite it. Jigs are lures that you have to work to be successful. Many other lures have all the action built in, and all you do is cast and retrieve. That is oversimplified, but it is true. Jigs work better when fished by better fishermen.
You asked is there a good reason for the different sizes and shapes. The previous paragraph helps answer that. If you are able to properly balance the size of the plastic or lure, with the right size and shape jig head, you can make the jig sink at the right speed and then work the right way to stimulate a strike. The shape and weight of the head have much to do with special presentations. After that, the colors and the spinners help the fish to see (and feel) the lure better, and to target it more accurately on the strike.
If you will send me both your email address and your mailing address, I will send you some sample jigs and some more written material on how to make them. You can use the Private Message feature on this forum.
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