Ogajiga

Next softest hook to 570 IMO would be either Matzuo Aberdeen or VMC 9147. Both nicely chemically sharpened, the Matzuo has a finely tapered needle point, the VMC a bit fuller like the Ultra Point. Sickles usually interchange with 570 but are more resistant to bend out than the above, IMO.

I've bent 10s of thousands of hooks mostly for eye fit. Some classic Mustads & Eagle Claw O'Sh were soft enuf to slightly rebend the 60* or 90* leg angles, but hard tempered hooks like Ultra Point or Gami will snap. The leg angle of some hard hooks can be altered by bending the shank close to but not at the existing leg-shank bend. Any adjustments to the curved portion of a hook between shank & point seems to weaken the strength. With the exception of slightly straightening twisted eyes my bends were inside the head and supported by the poured lead. Heat indeed affects temper, & I have never used it to facilitate bending.

A long time ago there were 3 choices of excellent quality American mfg. crane swivels with McMahon perhaps the best. Later, decent quality Korean crane knock offs were available in addition to American mfg. Now, McMahon is Japan mfg. and extremely expensive, & the remaining 2 American brands are made by the same mfg. There is also a confusing choice of Korean & Chinese mfg. available. However, I haven't been able to find a decent quality crane swivel in years, & had to return to distributors & mfg. both Asian & American versions. If anybody knows of a bulk source of quality smooth spinning crane swivels I'd appreciate knowing.

Hmm, that suggests the security techs are being outgunned by the hackers. Maybe a steady fat paycheck erodes competence, almost glad I don't get one. So, your computer was linked to a spamming network?

Wow, Fatman thats scarey! What kind of security software did the hackers get thru? My host was hacked a coupla months ago so that websites including mine got a virus planted! Luckily, McAfee blocked it from infecting my computer.

Have you checked the new Do-it designs? After many years of mediocrity, they are now cutting edge IMO. JIG MOLDS that use fiber weed guard. Large selection of styles and sizes. BARLOWS FISHING TACKLE EXPRESS

Might help to examine your molds for complete closure both empty and with hook in place. Check how much light if any you can see thru the seam between the closed mold halves. Its rare to find a mold with a perfect flush seal & a little light showing thru is normal and actually facilitates air release from the cavities during a pour. If the mold cracks excessively when empty there might be a particle stuck on or damage to the mold faces preventing closure. If the mold cracks wider with a hook inserted than emply you have a problem with the hooks or there might be particle contamination in the hook slot(s). Mustad Ultra Points are usually consistently well formed but I did get a bad batch of 32729 recently with twisted and canted eyes which had to be repaired to allow full mold closure. I've got Do-its with 10s of thousands mileage which don't appear to flash any more than previously. Since you're having a problem with multiple molds I would suspect the hooks.

Lotsa forum members can supply bass jig heads. With apologies to the others, I would suggest "Cadman" for selection and commitment to quality.

Wow, my posting a link to a completed eBay auction(not mine) to show a picture, details, and value of a Cabela's Wobble Jig mold has vanished, and I was given an "infraction".

Yes, fatal crack ups are inevitable with bottom contact. I haven't tried, but for retrieves close to but above bottom, would a Pony Head spinner blade and keeled head provide a good bumper warning system?

Jig Man, are you using weedguard or open hook jigs? What mods are you using on your bananas? For all you rappers, is bottom contact part of your presentation systems?

Hey, rip rap dams are my fave too! Are you guys walking or floating? What species are you targeting? My jig master mentor likes the slow falling bump nose Cabela's Wobble jig head for riding over rocks with hook point upright. Jig Man, have you tried micro fiber to enable downsizing jig weight? Haven't tried yet but wonder if bending hook points down towards the shank EWG style would make it harder to point snag rocks?

Fernet, I'm just guessing the melting point of Bi90 Sn10 being suitable for powder based on a projected range of 520*F for 100% Bismuth down to lowest 281*F for 58% Bismuth. But, BiSn alloys have an annoying tendency to partially melt out at lower than predicted temps, so just practice with a small amount. Sorry, I'm not equipped to measure melting temps nor do I powder paint.

Sorry, don't have that mold, but 32786 BLN interchanges in some sizes of other 630-635 Do-its where the hook eye slot is set flush to the head. Termite, PM sent.

Howdy Fernet. Bi90 Sn10 should be powder paintable up to 400*F or so - except for skinny spike baitholder barbs brittleness shouldn't be a major problem. It would take a pretty hard impact to damage a 90-10 jig. I've seen some excellent powder paint jobs on pure tin also.

Which mold, what size casting and hook?

Smalljaw, I agree - the sharper the point the more thinned out the steel which means more vulnerability to point fold on a hard snag. Guess we choose between durability or sharpness, no perfect hook. I can often repair a folded point with a round nose wire bending pliers tho.

Robbor, I ordered #10 & #8 9147 BN from Shorty's. Think your PM box is full so you can't get incoming. Will try to let you know how they look.

VMC 9147 has had a chemically sharpened "needle point" since production of this hook was moved to China a few years ago. But, Shorty's sent me both red & bronze old style made in France and needle points without giving me a choice. I asked if they could send only boxes not "Made in France" but they refused. I THINK if you order the new BN finish 9147 they will all be needle points. I just ordered 9147 BN #10 & #8 but haven't got em yet.

VMC USA has sent me requested samples 3x. CONTACT VMC INC Tho don't use the VMC shakey hook you mentioned, I was impressed enuf with the quality of the 7161 60* flipping jig hooks to order several sizes. IMO, the VMCs feel a bit stronger than equivelant Mustad 32786 and maybe a bit sharper. Cost more too.

I prefer VMC small sizes. Captain Hook's Discount Warehouse Sorry, the link doesn't post to the correct product page, do search for "VMC" from the "Jig Hooks" section.

Some of my China experiences: 1. Excellent crane swivels from Korea mfg. quality dropped when mfg. moved production to China. 2. Special ordered item from a Chinese eBay seller in the USA representing a China mfg. never arrived & seller vanished.

How important are flash accents on jigs? If you're a flasher, what type/color do you like? A few strands of plain gold Flashabou tinsel on my Zonker jigs works for me.

Superb worksmanship! The hook point pictured looks defective tho.

Dunno about your suppliers, but according to Shorty's price list, big jump in '09. For example the 32729 4/0 I use up 12.3%. Still possible to get '08 prices if you hurry - I ordered today.