Jeff Hahn

Erick: I also dip out of the jar. I just never fiddled around trying to build a fluid bed. I also use the pro tech paint and have found that if I stir it before dipping the first jighead and then stir it again after every 2-3 heads, it works fine. It seems that the trick is to keep the paint from getting too compacted and clumping on the head.

I smoke all of my molds and never had a problem until the other day. Then, I had a problem with powder paint sticking to a few of my jigs, but just in one or two spots. I finally figured it out. I was handling the jigs and trimming off some flash and apparently got some oil from my hands on some of the jigheads. So, I cleaned all my jigheads with a little acetone (although alcohol or some other solvent would work just as well). That removed the oil from my hands and the jigs took the paint just fine.

I found the herring underspin insert at Lure Parts Online. But, they are currently out of stock. And, it looks like Jann's and Barlow's don't carry them.

My understanding is that you can make any bait that is patented...as long as you are NOT selling them. Thus, you are not profiting from someone else's patent. However, making them for personal use is legal. EironBreaker: Can you post a link to Lure parts online, Jann's, or Barlow's for the herring underspin inert that you used? Thanks in advance.

Checkout these products and the videos they have on Youtube. http://www.makelure.com/store/pg/66-MakeLure-Mold-Making.aspx

I noticed that on a few jigheads I did the other day, the powder paint was not sticking in some small spots. I figured that when I handed the jigheads, some oil from my skin got on the heads and kept the powder paint from sticking. On the last batch, I used acetone to wipe down the jigheads before painting them and that seemed to solve the problem.

Here are the pics that you requested:

Sorry, I was tied up all day. I will try to post some pics tomorrow.

I have not tried it, but someone over on BBC said to sit the jigs in acetone for a while and the powder paint would come right off. I know that acetone works great on removing fingernail polish from jigs, but I don't know if it works on powder paint or not.

Thanks for the info, guys!

I am tied up most of the rest of the afternoon. But, I will get you a couple pics so you can see how the II is made.

I made a few jigs awhile back and powder coated them. I don't use those jigs and wanted to make a different style jig using those hooks, as I don't currently have any more of the hooks in that size. Can I just submerse the old jigs that have been powder coated into my Hot Pot and melt off the paint and lead. I assume this will stink and smoke, but will it work OK?

The power cord is connected to the element on the HOT POT II exactly like on the original. Crimped connectors are on the ends of each wire and they are attached to the screws on the end of each post of the heating element. No, I don't see any way that you can add a post to the bottom of the pot so that you can convert your original to a II version. The post/nipple is cast as part of the pot itself.

I have often trimmed the bottom of the collar flat and added a rattle by tying it on with thread. Then, I tie the skirt on over top of the collar and rattle.

Well, it turns out that the old element is fine. It was just a broken wire where it attaches to one connection on the element. In the process of fixing the element on my Hot Pot II, I discovered how the cover for the element is attached. The entire pot is molded with a big nipple on the bottom and a hole is drilled through the middle and then threaded to accept a screw. I don't think you can modify an old style Hot Pot to accept the element and cover for a Hot Pot II.

You had to say something! My Hot Pot II has been working great for years. I poured some lead this afternoon and the element crapped out! Thanks! LOL!!! At least I was smart enough to order a spare element when I bought it.

When my old Hot Pot's element finally went (it was about the 3rd element I went through), I just bought a new style Hot Pot. The one thing I have had problems with are the feet, on the little stand the hot pot sits on, drying out and flaking apart. I fiddled around and rigged some that work, rather than having to buy a whole new stand.

Something doesn't sound right. I have powder painted jigs that last years fishing them on a rocky bottom. The paint may scratch, but has never chipped off.

I prefer to use jig tying thread on a bobbin. And, once it is tied, I put on two coats of clear Sally Hansen Hard as Nails clear nail polish. Other folks use small diameter stainless or copper wire. I have used wire a few times and it works great. But, later if I change my mind and want to remove a skirt, the thread is easier to get off.

Anymore, I only use the pre-made skirts when testing colors. Once I have a color I want to use regularly, I tie on all of my skirts. Too many times, I've had a rubber collar deteriorate and the skirt drop off into the water.

Making some progress. One of the fraudulent charges was to an appliance company. My wife contacted that company and they told her that the perpetrator ordered a part of an appliance and gave her the address that the part was shipped to. The guy used my name, but an address in St. Louis. We are waiting for a return call from the district manager of one of the pizza chains where they guy placed an order. The district manager believes that she can track down a phone number. We checked three of the fraudulent charges and they were made to pizza shops within 5 minutes of the address that we have. Once I get an address and perhaps a phone number, I will call the local police. I know that I will be told that the $255 in fraudulent credit card charges are not worth the time or effort to investigate. Yet, if this same guy stuck his hand into my open vehicle window and stole $255, the cops would arrest him. But, if this perpetrator is already on the police radar, it might add another charge to a long list and perhaps result in some type of punishment. Even if it doesn't, since I am retired and it's too cold and wet to go fishing, I take this as a challenge maybe a chance to have a little sport with this guy. So, it appears that this thief lives in St. Louis. There is no telling where or how he got my name and credit card number. There is NO REASON to believe that he obtained either my name or credit card number through Jann's Netcraft or Lure Parts Online. The fact that he lives within 1 1/2 hours of Springfield, IL, where LPO is located, is a simple coincidence. So, you should NOT take the fact that the only other charges last month on my CC, prior to these fraudulent charges, were to Jann's and LPO as an indication that they or one of their employees had anything to do with this whole matter.

We just got our monthly credit card bill and it contained fraudulent purchases, so I thought I would give everyone a heads-up. I traced the 6 fraudulent purchases and every one of them was made in St. Louis, MO. 3 of the purchases were for home improvement items and the other 3 were for pizzas. The charges ranged from $86 - $25. The only two purchases I made the month prior were for lure parts from Jann’s Netcraft and from Lure Parts Online. Both of these orders were placed over the phone, NOT online. Jann’s is in Maumee, Ohio, a significant distance from St. Louis. However, Lure Parts Online is only 1½ hours from St Louis. Although I have no proof, my guess is that my credit card number was stolen by someone at Lure Parts Online. I called LPO and gave them a heads-up, in case this has happened to other customers who have ordered from them, so they could attempt to track any problem employee. What also irks me is that our credit card company never called to alert us regarding these purchases. Our CC company insists that we inform them of impending travel so that any purchases we make while traveling are approved without a problem. And, I have always called them before we travel. Yet, they failed to inform us of these questionable purchases so we could have canceled the credit card sooner.

I have used the Hack Attack hook, VMC, and Mustad flipping hooks with a snell knot and never broke a hook. You must have just gotten a bad one.

THIS^^^

I have used the size 2 connector link, discussed above, on a lot of my bladed jigs. I have caught lots of bass, as well as northern pike over 10 pounds, on them and never had one show any signs of being weak or opening up.