Thank you.
This sport teaches all sorts of lessons. Most seem to revolve around the concept of humility. I see it all as a means to being closer to my creator…….Big Sky out there, and it is gorgeous. I try to be thankful every trip.
Moon phases and weather studies, there really isn’t any surety to any of our attempts. Except that some seem to go ….. just flat out expecting to catch what would be most folks best day ever….. even on days most sane folks stay home.
Yes- some guys can catch fish in a mud puddle in their driveway. Others have to work hard to get even somewhat close. I am a worker type. Fishing just happens to be the only thing in my life that I have any patience for.
I have so much humility now.
Started January and may have been a little too focussed.
Nah….. just kidding. Here we go.
Attachment 406444
!/4 -1/8 - 1/16.
The wire has different angles moving the blade’s leading edge further forward as they get lighter….and smaller. This allows a too large blade to fit nicely and still make a compact bait. The length is easily managed by bending wire forward as needed. Move forward makes shorter. So I can set my distances in two directions. I can tune the bait. Blade in closer in or out some more- and also blade more forward or rearward. Bait longer. Bait fatter. Adjust to find best profile. Look to trial and error fashion, and hope to discover the profile they actually expect to have wander past.
Play with blade designs, shapes, color, etc to try to dial in a best choice for each weight and hook size of jig. All the while testing plastics to see which ones do the best synchronized swimming with these heads and their whirring ….. blades - o - death.
The modification to the mold is so sweet that I can suggest that 99% of you guys will be able to pull this off just fine. You have to look hard to even see what I did. Look at the hook shank channels of the 1/4- 1/8 - 1/16 sizes and see where I slightly filed away some material. Compare contrast to the sizes in between. There is a curved slot for a wire bait keeper, but just under that is where I filed very gingerly and with purpose, a few swipes and slightly widened the channel to allow a wire to also lay in there tight, right alongside the hook shank. My concern was lead spashing/flashing through any weird widening of the jig’s cavity, where the shank channel exits, and fouling any future scenes.
I am happy to report it never happened. The mold isn’t especially for fine details or anything. It is after all a Do-It mold. The cleanup on these FreeStyle pours involves the hook eye area, with lead rising up the eye’s shank. The head shape is aspirin so when the proper eyes are affixed it yields a round head jig. Perfectly, too I might add. Take a look at the modification.
Attachment 406445
Can you spot the three areas where I filed ?
Even if you never want to add an under spin, the hooks lay in so much easier and better. The wire bait keepers as well.
I am using the Do-It Hammered Spoon Lure wire forms in the 3/4 ounce size. I found that I can cut that wire form in half, and lay the looped end right atop of the hook, and close the mold and make a perfect pour. The smaller size jig heads the loop became too large, so I cut it away and bent that end with a very slight 90 degree angle bend. Either produces a wire extension that can be bent, formed, or made any length or angle.
The swivel gets cut and the blade added and swivel bent into repair leaving a loop still. Slip other end on wire extension, bend wire closed and done.
I used small files I bought a set of at Harbor Freight. Be certain to use a file that sits down into the channel pretty good. Don’t use a too large file or you might make an excess cut. PM me if you want to turn your mold into a under spin. I can imagine just about any of them can and it’s easy to do.
Made a bunch of my light weight- way backs - with a 1/16th white head and brightly colored warts. Neon fashion colors even. Spotted cow.
Attachment 406446
Most have regular 3D eyes. Some frog, some holo, some lizard.
I am afraid that I am straying ever further away from tying materials to create, to manipulating what has already been made into something that works. Plastic baits have my full attention.
The blade is a cross between a willow and a colorado. A fat willow. Lots of vibration. I don’t need sparkle as water is dirty. Shiny might still matter some- never know.
I can’t wait to get my latest plastic baits.