Making lead jig heads and sinkers

[John Berryman]

I have been fishing all my life. One thing I have often considered is making some of my own products. Lead head jigs are increasing in price. Fishing the Wisconsin River as I often do, I need a good supply on hand.

If anyone has experience in making jig heads and sinkers I could use some advise with some things.

Molds for jig heads and sinkers seem to be expensive. At least prices seem high where I have been looking. Does anyone know a good place for purchase of supplies such as molds, hooks etc?

Are any brands of molds, hooks or related products better than the others? More reliable, durable etc.?

If I buy the supplies needed is it worth the time and investment in the equipment or would it be just as wise to buy them ready made in bulk?

If you have knowledge in these things I would love some insight.

Thanks,
John Berryman
mrogre49@yahoo.com

[Seagull]

John, I make almost all of my own jigs and sinkers. I too found myself buying all kinds of jigs when fishing snaggy area's. What I really like about pouring my own is that I can use larger hooks then you usually can buy with store bought jigs. I use a Aberdeen laser point hook in a 4/0 size for every jig I make. I know it seems like a big hook, but I am usually fishing bodies of water with large fish. The large hooks are great for grubs and tubes for Smallmouth. You can also buy molds for jig styles that are difficult to find in stores. I also paint all my jigs and like the way they turn out. I still use the vinyl paint though it is much more work then using the powder paints that are available, but they turn out much nicer. That can be bad if you are in a place that eats jigs! I reserve what I call the "ugly" jigs for places like that.I purchase my jigs in 1000 count, invite friends over and we get busy. You must take caution when melting lead to be careful of the fumes, work in a well ventilated area! That goes with painting also. Once you invest in the melting pot and molds, the cost of jigs really goes down each time you make them. I am also usually using jigs from 3/8 oz and bigger. I believe bulk jigs in the lighter weights 1/4 and lighter are easier to just purchase, but again I can't usually get them with bigger hooks. One note about using such a big hook in the mold requires some modifications to the molds to get the hooks to fit the mold. There are really aboout three styles of jigs Ilike for Walleye fishing,and they are a flat narrow river style that cuts the current, the Erie stand up jig that is great for spring fishing when the fish are laying tight to the bottom, and a head that is called the Walleye head.It's a good winter project getting ready for the spring bite.

[eyechaser]

http://www.cdlures.20m.com/ check this site out fairly reasonable.

[John Berryman]

Thanks for all the great info!

I have an old plumbers lead furnace already. I thought I would order a lead casting dipper. I also have enough lead to make a lot of jigs. I am glad to get some advise though as I have never made jigs or used molds. Perhaps I am wrong but I would think that my lead furnace being LP gas would be faster and more cost effective than an electric lead pot. I like the idea of using larger hooks in the jigs. I can see where that might be a real plus.

Do you know a good place to purchase jig molds? Any brand/models you like best?

Thanks,
John

[John Berryman]

You are right. The prices are very fair at that site. Thanks, John

[Virgil Burris]

John I get my molds and supplies from DU-IT molds out of Denver-
Iowa phone no.319-984-6055 ask for a catalog I make erie jigs
walleye head, swimming jigs, slab spoons,and sinkers you want to
use good lead by that I mean soft lead on your burner if you get
over 900 degrees you start puting out to many fumes so watch gettingthe lead to hot and you need good ventalation I like to
use the powder dip I have a butane torch for this job then bake
it in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 works good wont chip. I also
use the urthane. Hope this helps.
Virg in Nebraska

[Leo Kam]

Have you tried to locate a fishing club near you that makes their own jigs as one of their activities. If you can find one, join up and save yourself a bundle. I use to belong to one in Northern Illinois and we had over 50 different molds we could choose from. I bought myself a pot so I could make them at home also. From experience, you're better off with a pot then a ladle. Cost for a good Pro pot would be in the $50 -$60 range. I became a purchaser for the club eventually and found out that you could buy DO-IT Molds $5 cheaper if you bought them from anyone besides DO-IT Molds. This would include retail stores like Cabelas, BSP, Gander Mountain, etc., and catalog sales like Janns in Toledo, Ohio. Hope this helps.

[wavewacker]

One thing you might want to consider is talking to couple of your friends and two or three of you split the costs for the heating pot and molds. This will help the initial costs. With regards as to making vs buying it is definately cheaper to pour your own. I would suggest you purchase the powder paint which is real easy to work with. Good luck

[Me]

try jannsnetcraft.com they have all the materials you need to make your own............prices there on molds are cheaper than buying from do-it-mold ...same molds

[delgue]

Our Walleye club has a huge inventory of molds and any member can check them out to use as needed--they can get coached from about any of the membership. goodluck

[BILL]

WE BUY ALL OUR SUPPLIES FROM NETCRAFT. THEY HAVE A LARGE SUPPLY OF ABOUT EVERY THING YOU NEED. MY KIDS BOUGHT ME A PRODUCTION LEAD POT FOR CHRISTMAS YEARS AGO. I POUR ALL MY JIGS FROM 1/32 UP THU 1/2 OZ. SOME OF MY FISHING BUDDIES HAVE OTHER MOLDS LIKE BOTTOM BOUNCERS AND WALKING SINKERS, ECT. WE GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A GOOD DAY JUST POURING STUFF. SAVES A TON OF MONEY IF YOU FISH A LOT LIKE WE DO.

[John Berryman]

Thanks for all the great information!

John

[John Berryman]

"Have you tried to locate a fishing club near you that makes their own jigs as one of their activities?"

No but that shounds like a great idea. I may check into that.

"you're better off with a pot then a ladle"

I already have a plumbers lead furnace. I was thinking of just buying a lead casting dipper to use with the lead furnace that I have. Any thoughts on that? I know I have to not let it get too hot though.

Thanks for all the great ideas.
John

[John Berryman]

Thanks for the great ideas.

John

[John Berryman]

Thanks for the tip! I am downloading Jann's Catalog right now.

John

[John Berryman]

"Our Walleye club has a huge inventory of molds and any member can check them out to use as needed--they can get coached from about any of the membership. goodluck"

Sounds like a great club! I live in Wisconsin. Where is your club located?

John

[John Berryman]

"WE BUY ALL OUR SUPPLIES FROM NETCRAFT."

A lot of people have been recomending that place. Must be a good place to do business. I plan to look their molds & other supplies over soon.

Sounds like you and your buddies have a good time and save some cash too!

I don't get to fish as often as I would like to. However, God willing I will get in more fishing time this year. The good old Wisconsin River has a lot of my jigs in it. I trade it my lead and it gives up a few eyes for my dinner. (Laughing) Making my own in the 1/4 & 3/8 ounce sizes would be worth taking the time to do.

Thanks,
John

[Leo Kam]

Difinitly cheaper with a ladle. My only concern with them was that the lead would cool too much by the time I dipped it into the pot, took it out, and tried to pour it into the holes in the mold; but try it, you can always buy a pot later on. If you cant find a club near you, the suggestion on teaming up with a couple of friends is very good. Cost have risen dramatically the past 5 years. I use to be able to buy hooks in bulk for $1-$1.50 per 100. One other point. DO-IT Molds are the best, but they also have the cheap version. If at all possible, get the black handle Pro series of molds. They pour cleaner and give you better finnished jigs.

[John Berryman]

>Difinitly cheaper with a ladle. My only concern with them was that the lead would cool too much by the time I dipped it into the pot, took it out, and tried to pour it into the holes in the mold; but try it, you can always buy a pot later on.

I had not considered that lead would cool that fast. So do use a electric pot you can poor directly from then? If so which model? Top pooring or bottom?

>If you cant find a club near you, the suggestion on teaming up
with a couple of friends is very good. Cost have risen dramatically the past 5 years. I use to be able to buy hooks in bulk for $1-$1.50 per 100.

I will explore that option. Most of my fishing friends are not close by. Others are just as darn busy as I am. I may have a friend or two that could do this though. Not sure.

> One other point. DO-IT Molds are the best, but they also have the cheap version. If at all possible, get the black handle Pro series of molds. They pour cleaner and give you better finnished jigs.

Ok, I will try to find the better molds. Can you give me a model number for example with the better type? I was just looking the catalog I down loaded from Netcraft. If they have the Pro Series I can't find it. At least so far. A model number might help.

My primary interest would be making round head jigs for walleye fishing in the river. Usually I use 3/8 or 1/4 oz. The catalog that I am looking at shows an interisting mold. You can put molded eyes on jigs you make using this one. What I can't tell is if it's the cheeper line of molds or the Pro series you recomend. Perhaps I could get the model numbers for the Pro series from Do-It. I don't know if they are on line. Do you?

Thanks,
John

[Eyefish]

John
Heres a couple of mail order places that carry a very good selection of jig makeing supplies. www.staminainc.com and www.tackle-express.com. I don't know if you are interested in tying your own bucktail jigs if you are send me an email and I will give you all kinds of information on dyeing your own tails, and other types of fur that you can use it is very inexpensive and fun. I am also from WI.

[John Berryman]

> Heres a couple of mail order places that carry a very good selection of jig makeing supplies. www.staminainc.com and www.tackle-express.com.

Great, I will take a look at them both as soon as time allows.

>I don't know if you are interested in tying your own bucktail jigs if you are send me an email and I will give you all kinds of information on dyeing your own tails, and other types of fur that you can use it is very inexpensive and fun. I am also from WI.

Oh I would love to do that as well as learn to tie my own flys some day. However, right now my life is simply too busy. I will drop you a note though.

I should be breaking ice on a lake here in Wisconsin. Instead, today I am breaking ice on my driveway. Some weather hey?

Thanks for the tips and offer for more information!

John

[fishtrap3]

O.K. Now I have a question where are you getting your lead from guys???? Can I use the lead from the tire shops, if I clean the impurities off the top??

[Leo Kam]

I dont recall the name or model number of the electric pot.Like I said, it was in the $50-$60 range and was a "something Pro" model. It also has a temp. gauge. Set it on high to melt the lead then lower it to about a #7 setting. Place the hooks in the mold and be sure its closed correctly or you will get "flashing" when you pour. These are bottom pouring pots, so you just position the mold under the pot and flick the handle to pour the lead into the individual openings. Useful accessories if you dont already have them, are lead shears to cut the knobs off, a file and emery boards to fine finish the jigs, a coffee can and old tablespoon used to skim the impuities off the top of the melted lead and a 4 compartment mold to pour the excess lead off once you're done making jigs.

I dont know the model number of the Pro series. DO-IT Molds come in Green, Red, Blue, Orange and Black handles. The Pro series has Black Handles.

I gather you're from Wisc. There's a supply catalog store(again I dont recall the name) in Chippawa Falls that handles all the supplies for jig making. If you look in the Yellow Pages of their phone book or Eau Claire's under "Fishing Supplies", I'm sure you wold find the address.

[John Berryman]

Thanks Leo for all the useful information and ideas.

Yes, I am from Wisconsin so I will check into that store as well.

John

[John Berryman]

Thanks Leo for all the useful information and ideas.

Yes, I am from Wisconsin so I will check into that store as well.

John

[BILL]

WE USE WHEEL WEIGHTS. TAKE YOUR POT OUTSIDE TO MELT THEM . SKIM OFF THE STEEL AND SLAG AND POUR THE LEAD INTO INGOTS. THIS WAY WHEN YOU REMELT IT IN THE HOUSE OR GARAGE IN THE WINTER TO RESUPPLY YOU JIGS ECT. YOU DON'T GET ALL THE SMOKE AND GET THROWN OUT OF THE HOUSE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR LEAD AND MOLD A LITTLE HOTTER THEN WHEN USING REGULAR LEAD. I FEEL THAT THE WHEEL WEIGHT LEAD SPARKLES AND MIGHT ATTRACT FISH A LITTLE BETTER. I NEVER PAINT A JIG AND I TRY TO KEEP MY JIGS SHINEY, IF THEY START GETTING GRAY I REMELT THE LEAD OFF THE HOOK AND REMAKE THEM. IT WORKS FOR US. GOOD LUCK.

[John Berryman]

Good ideas. Are wheel weights easy to obtain?

John