eye busting painted jig heards

[Irv Johnson]

Has anyone found a simple quick way to clear the hole on painted jig heads. I have a "hole buster", but is there an easier quicker way. When I get a pack of 10 or 25 I like to clean them up before I go put--takes a lot of time. Any suggestions as to a easier way?

[REW]

I have tried lots of methods.
The quickest way is to drill out the paint.
However, I have found that this leaves a sharp edge and will end up cutting the line, so I no longer use this method.

The method that I use now, is a set of side cutters and a sharpened dental pick.

1. I use the side cutters to make a quick cut around the base of the jig eye to cut through the paint. As I complet the cut, I drag the cutter up and across the paint in the eye of the hook.
2. Then I pop out the paint in the center of the eye, with the sharpened dental pick. The dental pick is simply hardened steel, but it stays sharp for a long time.
3. Then I might use the side cutter again, to make a quick swipe up the side of the eye again, to clean off any residue.

The total time with each jig is about 15 seconds.

Take care

REW

Note:
The real secret is using the side cutter to cut the paint loose from the rest of the jig. This is where using the straight eye buster failes. The eye buster simply trys to push the paint through the eye and it often doesn't work very well.

[Someday]

try using a small wire wheel on a grinder on both sides of the hook eye, and them poke the middle out. Use the wheel first on all of them and then go back and punch them out.

[Bart]

Get your wife to do it. :o

[Rob Ensor]

Odd Ball Jigs are ready to use right out of the package. No need to clean or sharpen these jigs.

[Dave S]

I take a pair of finger nail clippers and cut the paint on each side of the eye of the jig pulling the squeezed clippers across the eye of the jig. This cleans the paint away from the sides of the jig head. Then a take a large 4/0 or 5/0 bass hook (So what if a few extra bass hooks get dull right!) and poke out the remaining paint from within the eye of the jig. Very similar to the proceedure described by REW and leaves a nice round hole in the eye of the jig to insert your line.

[JoeyO]

REW have you ever tried using a torch tip drill ?
I agree about the picks. A set of them is must... also great for getting out those birds nest in baitcasters