BLT

You can adjust the "flow" by a cap head screw on a bracket on top. It controls how far you can lift the handle/plunger so more lead can flow out. Yea, I read that before about the 1.5oz. max cavity. Like I said, I do those 8oz. fluke balls w/o issues. Then again, they don't have collars to worry about.

There are a couple other pots to use, Lyman and RCBS. They are a big investment compared to the Lee pot. I have the RCBS and would get another when this one dies, but I pour thousands of jigs a year to sell. I know someone here that uses a cast iron pot and a big ladle to pour his big jigs, and some of his are couple pounds for Halibut. When your pot is hot, I have a cut off jig hook to hold with vise grips and force up into the spout all the way to clean it out. 2/0 or 3/0 hook is what I use. May want to consider wearing gloves.

I do 4oz. spros, and 6 and 8oz. fluke balls all the time. Are you using good lead, or wheel weights? Is you spout opened up? Meaning that it's not clogged with dirt and the flow is restricted. When doing the larger stuff, I make sure the pot is full so there is more weight to push the lead out of the spout faster. Sounds like you are heating the mold, but after you get the mold hot enough, leave the hook sit in the mold for 15-20 seconds so that heats up also. In the colder months, I have to do this. What type of bottom feed mold are you using? A Lee pot? Worst case, you may have to drill that spout a little bigger. I know others that have an issue with the Lee pots and larger jigs. I have had your issues before, and warming the hook, and using cleaner lead helped. You may also want to try that mold release spray. I don't use it, but others here swear by it.

I have never had an issue with Barlows yet. But then again, they have always had in stock what I ordered, and the order has come in good time also. I have never ordered from LPO.

You are right about the price. I am comparing that price to what I pay for a box of 1000 with my tax numbers, not retail, and I have to remember that.

I have a drill bit that I wrapped duct tape around so the spool slide onto it firmly. That way the drill bit won't damage the spool. Sit the large spool you bought on the floor, wrap about 6 wraps of thread around your empty spool, use the drill to fill it. I just squeeze the thread a little for tension, and work the thread back and forth to fill even. I use the larger size spools so I don't have to fill them as often.

I use the 149010 Aberdeen sickle and get about 10-15 hooks I can't use/1000.

That looks like a pretty high price, but if that's the only place you can get them, got to pay the piper. I get the 90 bend in 3/0 for around $30/1000 for the wire hook if I remember right.

Yep, know who he is. He lived up in the E-town area. I hear his Son worked up at Bass Pro in Harrisburg. Right now, the walleye fishing is going crazy. Safe Harbor, and the washington boro area.

Try Captain hooks, or if you have tax numbers, shortys hooks. Both are the same place, just one is discounted more if you have your number.

Where is this info from? I was always taught that when the temps cool down, they have more hair grow, and it is all hollow. Did a quick search and see the same thing. I agree the bottom of the tail is more hollow. I hate the bottom because of the way it flairs out.

I should have also mentioned that when using the heat gun, I have a hi and low fan setting, and then different temp settings. When doing 1/8 to 1/2 oz. jigs....low setting, I heat the one up. then sit the next one down on top of the heat gun while coating the first one. You have to get the right temp set to the heat gun so when you get to that next one, it is at the right temp to put the next one there, and coat the one you just pulled off. It's like an assembly line lol. It takes a couple tries at getting the right temp setting and how long it takes you to coat a jig, be it 1 or 4 colors. When you get it right, it is fast. The gun I have from Harbor Freight has a good metal mesh on it to leave me sit the jigs on it w/o falling off.

That's why I like the 46 size thread. There is never a need to pull hard enough to rip this stuff. Even if pulling to get more flare.

I don't have an answer for you, because ever since I started tying about 8 years ago, this is all I used. I have used some of the smaller size threads from there for crappie jigs and shad darts, but it snaps VERY easy lol. People say that flat lays better/looks nicer. Well, if you use your hand that is helping to hold the jig/hook, make your fingers into a wall like shape, and just let the thread hit your fingers. Roll your fingers slowly to whatever side you are going. Makes for nice, smooth wraps. It has been mentioned here before about the thread sealer soaking through to the hair. Here is another tip some never knew/used before.....On Barlows site, look up the "applicator" bottle that has a needle on it. If unsure of the sealant soaking through, or just for extra piece of mind, use this bottle to squirt sealant inside the jig hair by the hook and it will soak in from that direction. Only a couple bucks.

Does it give you the choice to turn the convection fan on/off? You may have a good score there either way. I can get over 50 3/8oz. jigs in mine easy. Probably closer to 65-70 if I packed them in tight.

I go for around 320 when baking. I only put them in for 25 minutes. I put them in a cold oven and plug it in. When I baked them longer, it seemed to take away the gloss and dulled them out. I do a drop test from around 3 feet every batch, and they don't chip. Now that drop test most times is NOT intentional lol.

Well that would be a really good reason lol. I have a really big opening on my oven, but not sure if it is 8" worthy though. I know 6" fits in it no problem

I have used nothing but yard sale toaster ovens since I have been doing this,. Even if I could not find another one, I would just go to wally martz and buy a large opening one for a lot less than a powder coating specific oven. I have never seen one of these ovens, is there some advantage to these that you are looking for? Serious question, not busting anyone's chops.

I buy my nylon thread from the thread exchange . com. I just know it is size 46. Don't know what it compares to with other sites size wise. I paid $10-$11.25 for 2500 yards. Depends on color.

First thing I would try, less heat. Didn't get any oil or grease on any. did you?

Very creative. Hope they work out well for you.

Nothing "wrong" with it. I look at a 90 more for being on a boat and straight dropping, and a 60 or less for casting from like a jetty at a beach. The presentation is different. The 90 will nose down more while "jetty jigging" lol. Kind of like those 4oz. spros in my sig picture, I would use them for vertical drops because of where the eye is and the balance of the jig.

I could be wrong, but it look like a Do-it teardrop jig. Heavy hook I would guess for Pike. Wish they had that mold in a 60 instead of a 90 jig hook.

Looks like nice rigs. I use inline spinners some times for crappie. Wish we had Crappie around hear like you guys get!

They will catch 'em. Nice work. I use very little of the stuff I sell lol. People get into mindsets of what "will" work, and pass right by new/different stuff to many times.