BLT

I wish I had the room to do all my tails that way. Using over 400 a year, I don't have the time/space. Some times I even get a pot of water up to 180 degrees and soak them in there for 45 minutes or so to get some of the oils out of them, and then wash them. White tails don't matter to me, but when dying them, need to have as much oil out of them as possible.

Bone out, scrape 'em, greased lightning and synthropol (sp) bath for a few hours, into an old pillow case and do 2 spin cycles, 15 tails at a time, in the washing machine to get extra water off. Make sure knot is good when closing the bag. Hang them for a day or so to dry....into the freezer til needed.

Love coming home from work and seeing that package sitting on the steps!

Love the inline spinner threads. Have to order some stuff to do it.

When I am doing smaller size jigs, I keep a box of round toothpicks there. If one does look like it may be an issue, I poke the tip of the toothpick through it after I hold it over the heat gun to soften it up. The toothpick pulls some of the extra paint away from the inside. Most time, this is only an issue with #4-#8 wire hooks. Glad I don't do to many of these lol.

I just noticed in your pic your RCBS pot has a bracket on it to help hold the mold. Got mine used and that didn't come with it. I WANT ONE lol. Would be so nice for the 8oz. molds. I can probably make the bar and get split rings to make one.

That second pic looks much better. I could not find anything if it was as neat as the first pic lol. I call my area an organized cluster. Boy, some of you guys have a lot of molds! If I have a mold that doesn't get used for 2 years, off to Craigslist it goes. Have a Wobblehead that may soon be in route. Used it 3 times, no one had interest in those jigs.

I am thinking the release agent they use in the injection molding of the beads is keeping the paint from sticking. Maybe try soaking them in a degreaser, rinse and dry, then give it a try. Maybe a rubbing alcohol?

Heard a lot of good things about that Quickbooks. I only use the Turbo tax small business at the end of the year for my tackle sales. I've been doing my own taxes for years now. Now if I had the rental props like you.....I would probably have someone else do it. Little more complicated.

RCBS bottom pour. Don't know how close the temps settings are, but that is where it is most times.

I should add that most times, I am set for 750 to pour.

The way I heat the hooks......let them sit in the hot mold for about 10 seconds, then pour. I can respect do-its opinion like any others here, but hotter pot temps have helped many people on here pour better. I know when pouring 2-8oz jigs, I can not get smooth pours with really low temps, and the same for my barbed/ringed shad head mold in the 1/4-1 0z sizes. Use good lead for these also.

Are you using good, clean soft lead? Some molds are "picky" and don't play well with wheel weights and that type of lead. I have a couple like that. I almost always keep my pot above 1/2 full also on those picky molds, the extra weight of a full pot makes it stream out faster.

Lol, that is a good one.

Think you are not understanding what my point was, and I guess I could have been more clear. I am talking about the folks abusing the system. If you on on it and legit, you deserve it. There are to many people living off the system that should not be on it. That is my point. Abusers of the system, not the legit people. I can't "drop the dime" on people that are legit. Sorry for the confusion, but my tune will never change for the abusers.

There are guys around the area where I sell to shops that I know are doing it under the table for a couple bucks. They have been doing it for years. I have all the business I want, so it doesn't bother me. Must not bother the other main local guys that make rigs either. If I see someone milking Welfare or S.S. or disability, I will drop the dime on them in a heart beat.

I use Vinyl paints for most eyes. Cut the tips off round toothpicks for small eyes, and drill bits for the larger eyes. I use a popeye jig mold for saltwater jigs with round big eyes that stick out. I use powder paint for them. I have a section of card stock sitting on the edge of the work bench with an even layer or most times blaze orange powder on it. Paint the jig the color I want, then hold it eye side down so my hand is lower then the edge of the work bench to keep the jig level. Tap the eye into the smooth layer, flip it and do the other side and out, instant eye. Then bake. Layer thickness will depend on eye size.

Google Sea Mar tackle in Allentown Pa. I find them cheaper most time. They only deal with Mustad and some Gammies. I'm not sure about the Gammy pricing, never bought any. They deal in 1000 hook boxes to get full discount.

I like that mold also. Was looking at it online. Not sure what the sales side of it would be where I sell at De. beaches. If I had to pick between those eyes, I like the red the best. Myself, I like the plain flat holographic eyes. Give off more sparkle from different angles IMO, but yours look better. Very nice work.

Thanks for the info. Was looking into UV coating couple years back because I can get it for free where I work, but the kind we use has a horrible smell to it that I don't think the fish would like lol. Use it for coating magazine/catalog covers.

Very nice work. What all weights are they? Never used that concrete sealer. May have to check into that. Any smell from it? I use Minwax Polycrylic and paint on my jigs and threads when I tie. It is a satin finish, but may want to try that gloss.

It's all about pride. Just like when I did my model railroad layouts as a hobby. I had a paint brush with 1 bristle on it to paint the eyebrows on those little people. No one would even notice that.......but me.

Good move C-man. To be honest, he is right, the fish don't give a crap about the jig being perfect. But he ran into a Man who takes pride in his craft, and YOU care about what your name is on. Don't blame you for that at all. He can go back to his bargain supplier.

If they can't be honest with you about what they are paying now, Myself, I would say no thanks. Honesty and good service expected, be that way to who is providing you the service. Stripersonline is one of, if not the largest fishing forum on the net. They have a forum for people selling tackle. You can get some good info there for jig sales. Here is a list of painted but not tied spro type jigs up to 4oz. This is for people on the forum to buy. At one time I was told I could sell there, but have enough business already. No tails: 1/2 oz. $1.50 ea. 3/4 oz. $1.50 ea. 1 oz. $1.75 ea. 1 1/2 oz. $2.00 ea. 2 oz. $2.50 ea. 3 oz. $3.00 ea. 4 oz. $3.50 ea.

Can't answer your question, but that is the next mold I want to get lol. For salt water though.