Hooks and jigs

[TwoBits]

I'm just beginning to make my own bass jigs. I've been making spinnerbaits for over 10 years now and probably should've done the jig thing long ago.

But anyway, when I make my spinnerbaits I pay no attention to the size hook the Do-It mold calls for. I most generally use the largest hook I can get away with, mostly 5/0. How bout jigs? Should I use the size that Do-It recommends.

Jigs are a little different than spinnerbaits in that I put those jigs in harms way. A hook that is too large in proportion to the jig could hang more. But really, the size diff in a jig is just a head thats a little larger. Why would a 5/0 hook not work the same in a 1/4 0z jig ?

The only other problem I can think of is how the trailer would fit on the bait. A 5/0 would have a longer shank and maybe the collar on the jig would not accomodate a trailer as well as a shorter shank hook ( which is the very reason I don't like the wide gap hooks on jigs, the trailer doesn't look near as natural and is constantly needing adusting and attention ) .

I've purchased the Do-It Round head jig mold that makes the Eakins type jig heads. I bought the middle sizes, the 5/16 to 7/16 ( a little miffed at Do-It for spreading those out over three molds, anyone care to guess why they did that? ) . I have 3/0 Gamies, 4/0 Mustad needle points, and 5/0 Gamies and am still trying to decide what hooks I want in what jigs.

I'm also contemplating the new Arky Jig mold that Do-It released this year, the Arky jig with the double collar and the flat eye. Anyone have experience with this jig or mold ?

Any help or thoughts appreciated.

[LedHed]

Hardly use the hook size that Do-It recommends - down side to that is the mold will have to be modified. You will probably have to remove the center pin that you place the eye of the hook on the mold.

I use a Dremel unless it's big work - then I have a buddy that is a machinest. Like everybody says - do a little bit at a time. Once you remove this aligning pin (depending on which style and manuacturer of hooks you use) the hook can float around in the cavity when the mold is closed. This can cause mis-pours, eye of the hook can end up in the head of the jig, eye of the hook can ride to high causing a pitch in the angle of the hook. Don't think that would be too much of a problem with 60 degree hooks but you can really notice it with 90's. So, only remove enough of the aligning pin so you can place a hook in the cavity and get a good seal on your mold.

Another modification you might have to deal with is where the hook point rests in the mold. You will probably have to remove some metal there as well.

Mustad, Eagle Claw, and VMC have the O'Shaunghnessy style hook which is longer and has a smaller gap. I order mine from Stamina in the PS (it's a special order). Have you thought about the "Barbarian"? I think it was designed for trailers. I pour with them because they look like they should work. Owner has the Deep Throat.

[siebler_custom_baits]

I like the barbarians. they are nice for tubes and jigs with bulky trailers.

[TwoBits]

Ledhed, I appreciate the reply but you've taken the wrong tact. I guess maybe I should've not been so wordy.

The question I'm asking is why a 1/4oz jig must have a 3/0 hook?

I'm not talking about the mold modification, I'm asking more about how a jig like that would fish and is there some reason that smaller hooks are used on lighter jigs. I'll use whatever hooks the mold will accomodate.

For some reason that seems to be the order of the day in jigs that are bought off the shelf and in jig molds. Is it written somewhere in stone that a 1/4 oz jig must use the 3/0 and a 3/8 have a 4/0 and 1/2 use a 5/0 hook.

Or is it done that way to facilitate fishing the jig? I can't think of any reason.

[Gr8flyz]

Twobits, I have about 75 Do it molds of various types & have modified most of the larger type jig molds for larger size hooks.

I think the reason Do It makes them that way is simply a matter of economy. They can't make a mold to fit everyone's way of fishing, and likewise the hook sizes they use for a particular weight is probably a compromise.

I don't feel that using a 5/0 hook in a mold that is "designed" for a 3/0 hook is a big deal as far as how the jig will work. Some jig styles may be affected more than others. For example Arky types may sit on the bottom with the hook upright, but may fall over with a bigger hook. However, round head jigs will fall over anyway, so as long as you make the modifications to allow the larger hook to fit properly, and use the right type hook, I see no problem with it. As long as you don't try & get crazy with the larger hooks (like a 7/0 in a 1/4 oz head) it shouldn't be a problem.

As I said, I've modified most of mine, so if you need help or advice with a mold feel free to email me.

[TwoBits]

Thats my thinking, I use as large a hook as the mold will accomodate on my spinnerbaits, up to 5/0. Which is why I began making my own spinnerbaits years ago, to get the hook in the bait that I wanted.

I guess the commercial jig makers use 3/0 's in 1/4 oz jigs for sales reasons. They must sell better. I do know a lot of fisherman like smaller baits, they feel they'll get more bites with a small bait. But with a jig, the profile of the jig doesnt' change with the lighter weights. In jig fishing it has to do with the fall rate.

I use a Gene Larew Hawg Craws for trailers on 1/8oz jigs ( I bite off about 1 or 2 inches of the Craw ) in order to get a large bulky bait that just floats down. The weight of the Craw gives it enough weight to pitch easily. But no one makes an 1/8oz jig with any hook larger than 3/0.

I would think there's a market there for some enterprising jig maker.

[Gr8flyz]

You and I think alike! I agree with you about the larger hook sizes, but as far as commercially producing them, I think it's a specialty item. I sell a good amount of such jig heads, but don't think they would sell well to the mass markets.

I also make some jig heads with different hook sizes of the same weight, for different types of applications. I know that some size/weight combinations sell much better than others, but I still make the "odd" sizes.

I've never liked the "one size fits all" attitude of most commercial jig makers. They try to compromise between what they think will sell & get the best return they can, it's just business to them. Much of what I do is more custom and specialized. It's my business, and a hobby. I like doing it! I also don't make a lot of money doing it, but I use what I make, and it fits my kind of fishing as well as customers who do similar types of fishing.

The big time jig makers want volume, and unless some big time pro wins with such jigs, and hypes them, then they'll stay a specialty product that us small guys will make. Even if they get a lot of hype & are marketed there is no guarantee the average guy will get the same results. Unfortunately there have been many types of good fishing products that didn't sell well, or only for a short time. If the average angler won't buy the stuff, it's not worth the effort to the big companies because that's the bulk of their market.

I mold some 1/8 oz heads with 4/0 hooks. Part of the problem with using such a large hook is they become hard to pour, as there isnt' much lead covering the hook, especially if you use a heavier wire hook. Some head styles become impossible to pour and get them to look OK, and if they don't look good, they won't sell. Plus, if you can't produce them efficiently, then they're not worth making commercially.

Modifying the Do It molds works fine, but it does have limits. I'm happy with the results I get so I don't get too concerned if I have to use a little smaller hook than I would like. I'm sure some heads could be produced commercially using custom made molds, or custom hooks, but that gets expensive, and again may not be worth the investment.

[TwoBits]

On page 107 of this months Bassmaster is a pic of a jighead that Charlie Weyer used to win the BASS tourny on Smith Lake last month. He called it a Freds " Taco " head. Its a 1/4oz jighead with a huge hook, has to be a 5/0, and the hook is a 90* bend. He's rigged a Zoom Finesse Worm to this jighead and fished deep.

I've searched the net for " Freds Heads " but they must not be on the net anywhere. I'd like to know more about these jigheads. Evidently they don't think a 1/4oz jig should have a 3/0 hook either.