ghost

I by no means am a expert since I just started using it on jigs, but I used it for years on my boots when I was in the army. I let the gun heat up on high. Run it over all four sides of the jig twice and then dip the jigs and then run them through the gun again. That way I can see if I missed any spots right away. Then I hang my jigs by the hook until I have a couple dozen then I cure them in the oven. As long as the jigs don't have weed guards this works great. If they have weed guards I can't help you since I am still trying to figure that one out myself. You should really enjoy the speed of the gun (I know I do)

I tried the bowl today got better results but kept melting the bowl and then it snapped when I tried to pour the paint back in the jar and everything was purple. lol Next I will try some salt shakers with modified holes. Still struggling with covering the weed guards on my jigs. Tried numerous things but the weed guards still flare when I am done??????

Here are a few pics of the jigs I did the other day. Now tonight I need to focus on spinners.

I use a heat gun and I have been just dipping the jigs hook first into the jars of Powder Paint. As long as the hook wasn't hot the PP just wiped right off clean. I am going to us a bowl today, feel like a idiot for not thinking of that myself!! Sometimes the easiest solutions are the hardest ones to reach..

Thanks smalljig, never thought of that.

Today was my first day powder coating some jigheads and spinners. Up to this point I always painted them with a brush. The time I saved today was impressive. The only problem I had was I buy my jigheads (can't afford all the molds yet) with weedguards in. As I was heating them with the air gun the guards would deform on me. First tried a straw but that just melted, second wrapped them in aluminum foil which solved that problem but then there was a section around the guard that didn't get paint. Did a search on TU about this problem because I knew it was discussed before and tomorrow I will go buy some small metal inserts to put over them. Should cure that problem. The only other problem I had was my spinners were to big for the 1oz. jars so I either have to invest in a fluid bed or just buy 2oz jars??? Only had about 3 jigheads run out of 25 and only one of them was bad. So I was pretty impressed for my first go at it. Just wanted to share my joy!!!!

will keep everyone posted.

hmmm... that has given me some ideas. I will raid the wifes fingernail polish since she is not home and hide a few bottles and try that. I will probably pick up a can or two of the rustoleum and give it a try also. I know I saw the spike it stuff at one of the distributor websites. So when I make my next order I will pick some up. Couldn't I put a clear coat on over the paint to help it from chipping??

Thanks TC. But not ready to pay $150 to just flip some text upside down. If I can't figure it out I will email Microsoft and see if they can explain how to do it.

yeah my Brother printer takes four cartridges and it runs me about $120 for ink. Plus I have to deal with the wife yelling that I used all the ink. I printed all my business cards and sticky labels at work. I would print my own but I can't seem to figure out how to get Microsoft word to print upside down for the back of the package? Any ideas?

I was able to get a steal on 500 plastic oval beads that will be perfect for inline spinners. The problem is they are all clear (which means I can paint them any color I want). But the problem is what to paint them with??? I thought about investing in a airbrush, but after further thought I am not ready for that big of a investment. Don't want to hand paint them. Only other thought I have is spray paint with a clear coat. Any other ideas??

No Kenko's here but I am going to check with Office Max and Office Depot this week.

$48 for how many copies?? Those look really nice and that is exactly what I am looking for.

I would use Calhouns soft plastic with about as much salt as a senko since they are close in weight. But I would want to modify the bungee hawg so that the tenticle things are twice as long as they are now.

I have been thinking of asking Del how much to make a bungee hawg for me. First I am going to try a POP mold, but I know eventually I will have to go aluminum.

If I don't like what staples tells me that is probably what I will do to. My main goal is to be very cost effective, but at the same time look presentable.

I have been sitting here at work reading through the thousands of posts in all the different categories and I have noticed numerous posts about getting requests for sponsorships. As a tournament angler, a club president, and a charity fishing circuit founder, and someone who is now making my own lures and baits I thought I would give my point of view on this topic. I have seeked sponsorship from many companies for myself and for my other activities. Sponsorship is a two way street. As a manufacturer you take on sponsorships to generate business. As a angler you take on sponsorships to help with the costs of fishing, whether that be in free product or monetary compensation. The internet has made it to easy for people looking for hand outs to get a hold of companies. It also hinders the good people out there who really will promote your product from getting the chance. I have noticed a lot of companies are going to the "buy from me and I will cut you a percentage of the sales you generate" approach. This is truly a win win situation. You set a preset amount of product the person has to buy at cost. Then when that person generates sales he gets a percentage of the sale price (5%, 10%, etc) and some free product. For instance if I generate $500 worth of sales I get $100 worth of product plus the percentage of the sales. This encourages him to promote your product because it puts something in his pocket as well. I have two sponsors that work this way, both are small companies that have only been in business for a short while. I take pride in the fact that I am helping them grow. I also have a couple large companies that give me all the free product I need in exchange for a couple trade show appearances and in store demo's. Which I enjoy most of all. As for my other activities it is all big name companies. They donate product because they like there name being involved with community events. When I approach a sponsor I always do it in writing. Email is a bad idea. I always include a resume which in reality is nothing more than a marketing plan for there product. At no point in time do I mention what I am looking for from them, it is all about what I am willing to do for them. So the point I am making to all this rambling is that out of the 100's of emails you probably generate 5 may be legitimate. If the person can't take the time to write a letter what makes you think he will take the time to promote your product? I would set strict guidelines on who you take on for sponsorship/pro staff and stick to it. This will help weed out the guys looking for hand outs.

If you still have a couple of those baits left you could make your own mold of them or if you prefer I think Del will make a custom as long as you send him a sample.

I read a post somewhere else where someone was using address labels. I think that would work for my jigs, but for spinners in clam shells I need something more. Will check with Staples, thanks for the tip.

Thanks everyone. I pretty much thought that it was a matter of practice makes perfect but wanted to make sure. One very valuable lesson learned is DO NOT POUR WHILE AT WORK!!!! Or atleast wait until later in summer (still gets a little cold here at night). With the cold air and wind it was cooling the plastic really fast and that was forcing me to rush. Gonna pour more next week since I am off work for the week. That way I can take my time and work on a technique.

I am loving it. My next obstacle is that I have to start selling some to co workers or whoever else or else my wife is going to cancel my bank card

I ordered a bunch of spinner clam shells and they arrived today. What do you guys use for the product card inside the package? Thought about just printing something off the computer with some glossy paper but would like something a little more professional looking. Are there any companies that will mass print in small quantities? Say like 500 or less? I do not need 10,000 product cards for the 50 or so spinner and jigs I have ready for racks.

I know a guy who has some pretty good designs for baits. But not sure what material to use to make them. I suggested clay or play dough. Does anyone have a better material??

Got my order from Stamina today. Took a week. I am not going to complain about that. So far I haven't had any trouble with them. Just gonna have to keep my fingers crossed and hope the good luck continues.

Well I got to thinking about it and after getting a better look at them today in the light ( was pouring at night outside) it is pretty obvious that my last set of pours were a lot better than the first. I think my problem was that I wanted to rush to pour before I started to harden up. So I am gonna wait for my new order of plastic, the molds, and scent to arrive and then I will get at it again. Wish I would of known I would go through a quart of plastic in a couple hours. Lessons learned.