question on a spinnerbait mold...

[cubswillwin]

I'm thinking of buying the do-it sj-4b-a mold. Takes 253 or 255 style hooks. I know I can find those hooks in eagle claw, but what would be a mustad equivalent? Is there a chart that any knows of? More importantly what would be a good size? I was thinking 2/0 for 1/4 and 3/0 for the 3/8th size heads.

Do-it Molds: Bullet Spinner Jig

Also can you get away with using lighter wire forms than .035?

Thank you for the help, my apologies if this has been asked and answered 2 billion times already.

Edited June 4, 2008 by cubswillwin

[Basseducer]

cubswillwin,

I have had up to a 5/0 in my 3/8 oz mold. As far as interchanging brands, it is a whole lot easier with spinner bait hooks. Almost any spinnerbait hook will work. The only thing you have to watch is the eye size. In smaller baits a hook with a lagre eye may show through the sides of the body or hinder the pour.

For the wire you can certianly go smaller and in many cases you can go up a few sizes without modification. If you drill out for a bigger size it woun't have to great an affect other that the smallet sizes will be loose. Nothing that a little masking tape won't fix. Good luck

TJ

[cubswillwin]

cubswillwin,

I have had up to a 5/0 in my 3/8 oz mold. As far as interchanging brands, it is a whole lot easier with spinner bait hooks. Almost any spinnerbait hook will work. The only thing you have to watch is the eye size. In smaller baits a hook with a lagre eye may show through the sides of the body or hinder the pour.

For the wire you can certianly go smaller and in many cases you can go up a few sizes without modification. If you drill out for a bigger size it woun't have to great an affect other that the smallet sizes will be loose. Nothing that a little masking tape won't fix. Good luck

TJ

How far does a 5/0 hook extend. Say with standard length skirt material would it be almost to the back of the skirt? I'm just wanting to make some thin wire, light baits. Probably will end up with smaller indiana blades, and some 3/3.5 double willow setups.

Been collecting lead for awhile, but haven't poured anything. Thought spinnerbaits would be a good starting place as the only commercial ones I like are war eagles and never can find the 1/4oz. Always have to special order.

[Basseducer]

You can find different shank lenghts and you can have a little adjustment by positoning the hook higher or lower in the mold. However you may not have much room to play with on a 1/4 oz bait. Standard 5/0 puts it right at the end of the skirt when using standard tabs. I usually tie the front part a little longer than the rear part so when the front folds over it is the same lenght as the rear. You can also get musky sized skirts if you need it longer.

TJ

[smalljaw]

Basseducer is spot on with the hooks, I like the Mustad ultra points better than Gamakatsu because the hook stays sharp even after a snag but you could use almost any brand spinnerbait hook depending on the size of the eye. I use .029 an .031 wire on most of my baits and all you need to do is use a small piece of masking tape to hold the wire however I suggest that you tape a piece to each side to keep the wire centered. I use a 3/0 hook for 1/4oz baits and a 4/0 for 3/8oz baits, a 5/0 or 6/0 for 1/2oz works well also.

[cubswillwin]

Thank you Basseducer and smalljaw. Appreciate the help.

[clamboni]

Good advice so far. 2/0 is tiny.........even for a 1/4 oz bait.

The mustad hook you're lookign for is a 32608