Thread: Closed ramps/making jigs

I went to rend today to do some more fishing and the ramp I wanted to used was closed. I drove up to one that was opened and the water was rolling so I just left. I did'nt feel like running all the way to the south end with the water rolling like it was. So I came home and tried to make some jigs. I am new at it so can anyone tell me if there jigs look like this after they take them out of the mold, and if they do how do you smooth the heads of? And why does rend lake close and pull all the docks out of the water every winter, they no people fish all year.

Hey Todd, it looks like you got a few that the lead did not get hot enough in when it was in the mold. That is why they come out lookin like that sometimes. The way to help avoid that is to pour hot molting lead on the outside of your jig mold just before you put lead into the mold. That will let the mold warm up so the lead wont set up to fast when you pour it in. If that makes sense to you. Kinda hard to explain. The lead that you pour on the outside of the mold just peel it off the mold and put it back in the melting pot.
You can also reuse the hooks and the lead that did not mold right again. Just put the hook and the lead back in the pot let the lead melt off and take the hook out. Or use pliers and dip it in the pot to melt the lead off and reuse them.
Another way to get the mold warm enough is to use a propane torsch and put the flame against the outside of the mold and when it heats up pour in your lead.
When they come out looking ok then just trim off the edges with wire cutters or a utility knife and paint. The lead at the top of the jig is probably the way they will look when you take them out of the mold until you trim them.
This should help with your problem. I hope anyway.

As far as the ramps, who knows why they close them. I think it because of something to do if the lake freezes in the winter, but not sure.

CX.

Scott, I sat the mold on top of the pot until it was hot. That is what my bubby told me to do. I took a file to them and they cleaned up really nice, it was worth time. I don't think the fish will beable to tell if they are homemade or store bought. I figured if they did'nt turn out I would just give them to Greg.:D

Now they look nice. I would be willin to take some off your hands if you have to many,LOL.
Do you plan on painting them? If so I know the paint that you can buy that you dip the jig in when it is warm. It comes in a powder form and it works very well.
When I start making my jigs that is the paint I am going to use.
Anyway those jigs look great, they should work well.

CX.

I would like to paint them, I have been looking at paint but did'nt no what was good. Help me out what do you use, I like chart. I was messing around on e-bay and won 1000 #4 hooks so I think I can spare some jigs. I just have to make some more first. That crappie shop in Carterville has powder paint, But I don't no which one works best.

My favorite jig head color is chartruse. The jig color I use the most is orange and chartruse.
If I were you, I would buy a few different colors to use. That way you would have a selection of colors and the powder paint will last a while.

CX.

Todd, which ramp do you usually use? We usually launch at Wayne Fitzgerrell because of the protected harbor. It's nice having a windbreak when launching or loading a pontoon.

I think they pull the ramps for the same reason they close the resort stores on the lake. They don't realize that Rend is far enough south to fish almost year round. It is a bit cold for putting a boat out now unless you've got an ice breaker. A few more days like this and we could do some ice fishing, but I wouldn't trust ice on Rend because of the currents.

Life, I usually put in at gun creek or the sailboat habor. When we camp I will put in at the resort thats about the only time. Most of the ramps up there you have to pay to park now GC and the sailboat habor you don't have to pay at.

CX

I make my own -- tried black with red flake in them--killer
color---chartruese with black flake is another good one.

Z21