There Must Be An Easier Way

[Jig Man]

I am making one strand weedguard crappie jigs. It is way labor intensive.

I have modified my molds to take a single strand. Right now I mold them with a 1/2" piece of wire in them. I paint them and bake them. Then I take the wire out and glue in a single strand out of an fg30 weed guard.

Do any of you guys have a short cut?

[cadman]

Jig Man,

You probably have the fastest way to do that. Pouring it in place will never work with a single strand. It may pour for you, but the powder painting will kill that idea. Sorry, I can not help maybe others may!

[Jig Man]

Yep Ted I have never had success with pouring any wg and painting with powder. These are only for personal use but they are very labor intensive. I have all of the immediate, except for silver which I'll do when I have the paint.

[Fatman]

Jig,

Everything I've read here or seen YouTube video's shows em powder painting the jig head then drilling the hole out then glueing the weedguard in. You seem to have a pretty good system even though it may take a while. So I'd have to say if what you're doing is working so far I'd stick with it.

I know some guys up here in Vermont who buy the little rubber bands like they used to use with brace's (teeth), and they'd stretch it from the eyelet to the the hook barb and it seemed to work pretty good.

Fatman

[Jig Man]

Fatman I have tried the brace rubbers in the past. With what I carry and the windy conditions I fish they didn't work for me.

[JSC]

Rather than use the single strand try using about a 10 lb. test uncoated cable wire leader material.

PM me with your address and I will send you some to try.

JSC

[Jig Man]

That is way beyond cool. I'll pm you right now and anxiously await a piece.

BTW: If it works, where can I get a roll?

[JSC]

Samples on the way ..

Where to get it depends on how much you want .. for a small amount you should be able to get it from several of the mail order suppliers ... If you want a lot of it (several hundred + + yards) let me know and I will put you on to a OEM.

JSC

[patrick reif]

This is a smallmouth jig I make with the single wire guard in place. The wire I use is probably heavier than you'd need for crappie, but for New River rocks, it's needed.

When you place the wire in the mold make sure you put a "U" shaped bend in it or it'll pull right out of the lead head. There has to be an anchor point for the wire to be secured down.

Pouring the jigs is the most dull and mundane part of the build because of the bends needed to secure the wire. Probably because I'm not comfortable drinking beer when messing with molten lead.

Painting is okay, but tieing is a blast.

Wire is the only way to go. I order 1/4lbs coils from Barlows. they last a LONG time when you only cut 2" for each jig

[JSC]

When you place the wire in the mold make sure you put a "U" shaped bend in it or it'll pull right out of the lead head. There has to be an anchor point for the wire to be secured down.

Ditto on the above ... another little thing is that on the exposed end, while painting .. heat the end of the wire and dip in the Powder Paint (clear off any excess) makes it a little neater and helps keep the strands together.

JSC

[Jig Man]

Thanks to JSC. He sent me some samples. The 10# is what I used and eventhough it may be a bit limber it also may work just fine. I'll know after a few trips. I made up 18 1/8 oz head and painted them with some Cadman paint. I am hoping to try them out this week against the 1 strand fiber wg.

Here is a really bad pic. My camera would not focus on this itty bitty head.

Thanks again Jim for the samples.

[cadman]

Jigman,

Nice looking jig. I never thought of trying a silver jig with a yellow/red eye. Learn something new all the time. Hope you catch some big ones.

[lowlight]

I am making one strand weedguard crappie jigs. It is way labor intensive.

I have modified my molds to take a single strand. Right now I mold them with a 1/2" piece of wire in them. I paint them and bake them. Then I take the wire out and glue in a single strand out of an fg30 weed guard.

Do any of you guys have a short cut?

Instead of removing the wire, why don't you use a lighter wire and bend the end closest to the lead and leave it in. Use that as your weedguard?

Also, have you tried leaving the plastic weedguard in the mold when you pour and using another method of paying your heads instead of baking?

Just a few ideas that come to mind reading your post.

[JSC]

Lookin Good ... Think youare going to be better off with a 20# Test .. just a little stiffer.

JSC

[Jig Man]

I tried the 10# on the 1/8 oz heads today. It was passable but a bit too weeny for the 1/8. I think it would be great on the 1/16 and lighter.

JSC can you tell me where I can buy some 10 and 20?

[JSC]

"JSC can you tell me where I can buy some 10 and 20?"

I made a quick check and know there are other places, Janns Netcraft had it strating at 20#.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/afw-leader-wire/311669.aspx

7 Strand "Uncoated" 30 ' & 300".

Hope that helps

JSC

[Jig Man]

That does help. Thanks. Where can I get the 10#?

[JSC]

That does help. Thanks. Where can I get the 10#?

If you see you are going to need it & can't find it ... Let me know & we can strike a deal .

JSC

[patrick reif]

you may find a single wire easier to work with as opposed to the braided stuff.

Try extending the wire past the point of the hook about 1/2" and trim it down from there to suit your tastes.

Kirb the hook point to one side just a hair

Lookin' good

[Jig Man]

If you see you are going to need it & can't find it ... Let me know & we can strike a deal .

JSC

I have 60' of the 20# coming from Jann's. It should be here mid week. I see what size jig I think it will work on. I may still need the 10# for the 1/16 oz and lighter. I'll get back in touch if I need the 10#.

Again thanks for the advice and the samples.