My DIY Projects and Great Adventures

[Micanopy]

This one works pretty good on the bigger fish.

3/16th oz FreeStyle head with reptilian eyes and Lizard paint
1/0 Victory sickle hook
BG Stroll’R
Under spin French blade no split ring

There is a lot happening when she swims by. I put them straight out the back of the boat, maybe 20 feet. Rod high in holder. Probably a foot or two deep.

My best fish come off these.

[Micanopy]

We need fish pictures……OK








The two rods straight out the back of the boat, twenty feet back or so, once again caught the bigger fish. Using 1/4 ounce jig heads with blades and BG Stroll’Rs. The four lines way back using 1/16th ounce heads get more fish but smaller fish, too.

I cleaned these and I am getting better at it. Should have kept more I guess.

The FreeStyle jig mold works good for these under spins. The hook actually inserts easier now post modification. You really have to look closely to see what I did. Made 1/8 and 1/4 oz using 1/0 hooks. The 1/16th jigs use a #1. Most of what I just made are not under spins, rather jigs with wire bait keepers. Made some more Lizard heads.

Speaking of crinkle heads….I experimented using a heat gun in place of the oven. The paint does nothing, does nothing, then quick slides and then sets in place. The effect is similar to what happens in the oven. A bit more pronounced though. The effect could possibly be further enhanced if I clamped the jig and used the heat gun to bring it up to temp, and then a blow dryer for a fan to blow on it. Baked them afterwards anyways.

The under spin wires are rock solid and can be made to place the blade in close or out for needed clearance. The combination of whirring blade and Stroll’R produce a lot of action.

I never found a concentration of fish, just stragglers. Man did it get hot. I started with only the Moon shining and ended mid day blazing Sun. Not sure when I get to go again. I hope my new baits will be here by then. Ordered the newest bait Bob’s Jigs sells. I also ordered the Crappie Magnet’s Curly Slab. It looks like a Stroll’R, but is slightly shorter and has a hinge to enhance action. Sleek curly tail.


Sure was an enjoyable day, even if hot. Winds picked up so I adjusted and trolled wind at my back. Easy way to fish.

[DockShootinJack]

That's a nice mess of fish

[Special K]

Very nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

[Micanopy]

[moonrunner]

[QUOTE=Micanopy;4161864]We need fish pictures……OK








Micanopy,
Those are some good looking crappie. You went all out with those jigs and in a very short period of time got it done. Good for you!

[moonrunner]

[QUOTE=Micanopy;4161864]We need fish pictures……OK








Micanopy,
Those are some good looking crappie. You went all out with those jigs and in a very short period of time got it done. Good for you!

[Micanopy]

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.




!/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.



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.



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.

[tattoodrew84]

Thanks for sharing awesome


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Chuck Adams]

Looks like you’re getting dialed in for sure.
Great ingenuity!!
Get something and make it better to fit your needs.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app