Off Shore Jig Heads

[Slammingjack]

Living in Florida Off shore fishing is a big thing. I have people asking me if I will make big jig heads. I don't fish off shore myself, so I have no idea what weight or hook size to get. I was looking at the Do- it Ultra minnow SHR-3-L goes up to 4 oz. and 8/0 hook. Don't think I can use my Lee 10 lb pot for this. There is also the SHR-3-568 which is even bigger. Any help would be great.

[Apdriver]

I'd say Shawn Collins makes the most off shore customs of anybody. He has a website. Chris out of Kasilof makes some killer stuff with his molds. He might offer some first hand knowledge. Here's a link to Shawn.

http://shawncollinscustoms.net

[BLT]

How big are you looking for?  I have the ultra minnow mold up to 4 oz. and use an RCBS bottom feed with no problems. I also do the Erie ball jigs with eyes up to 8oz. with the bottom feed with no problems. I do keep the pot full so the extra weight/pressure forces out the lead faster. When the pot get's low, it makes a difference.

So after the long rambling....I don't know how your 10# pot would pour the 4 oz. spros. Mold hot enough, I would think you would be ok. Those are the 4oz. in my sig pic, but with 5/0 and 6/0 hooks for Flounder.

Edited January 23, 2016 by BLT

[Slammingjack]

BLT is that the do-it mold? The 4 0z. it said 8/0 did the 5/0 fit or did you mod it? As far as how big I'm not sure. I don't fish the big blue. Maybe that mold will do. Do you use EC 635 or something else? Thank you for your help with this.

[LimpNoodle]

Lee pot won't pour 4 ounce head without a lot of lines in it.

[BLT]

BLT is that the do-it mold? The 4 0z. it said 8/0 did the 5/0 fit or did you mod it? As far as how big I'm not sure. I don't fish the big blue. Maybe that mold will do. Do you use EC 635 or something else? Thank you for your help with this.

yes, do it mold. I do the 5/0 hooks on the 2 oz, and 6/0 on the 3 and 4oz. The 6/o was an OK fit but did a little shaving of the post, but the 5/0 took a little more. Just used an exacto hobby knife.

Also should mention I am using the 90 deg. bend hooks.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Well I see this thread is already off track(sort of).

First let me say I was a saltwater jig fisherman before I was a jig maker.

I knew what I wanted in a jig and what I wanted to improve upon for my area and species. I am happy to say I feel I have accomplished that and then some though I can always see another horizon I want to get to.

While size is important in any fishing jig it isn't always the most important consideration yet sometimes it is the biggest factor.

You need to find out first and foremost what type,size,color, and style of jig your potential customers are currently using.

Find out their likes and dislikes in their current tackle. What sizes and styles you decide to make should be based on what your customers want to buy and not what you want to sell them.

Contact some reputable local saltwater guides and ask for their advice and give them some free tackle to test for you in return.

It matters not what works in Alaska for me fishing halibut or ling cod when you are fishing Tarpon or king mackerel in Florida.

Just because Do-It molds are low cost you shouldn't make them your only consideration.Though that doesn't necessarily rule them out either.

Also consider you want your stuff to be as good or better than commercially made tackle in your area.And you want it to have those custom touches only a custom maker can do.

Local regulations may also be a factor in what you make. Some areas may have hook size or type limitations/regulations.

I make jigs to 48oz and weights to 5#. As well as several other smaller and bigger items out of lead.

While my 24oz jigs are popular here they likely wouldn't sell much at all in Florida.

So once you have an idea of what commercially available tackle your potential customers are using now for the various local saltwater species then you can ask the questions of which molds will work for your customers to get something similar.

I have some good ideas for you just from watching some you tube videos and outdoor channel shows of Florida offshore fishing but would like some more local input before making my suggestions.

And yes you really need to ladle pour anything over 3 ounces.To get the best quality anyway.

I can tell you more on this once you know what you really want to make both styles and sizes and what your budget for this venture is going to be.

I hope this helps and please add more to this thread once you learn what you want to try to make.

I'm sure we can help you make some awesome saltwater jigs for your local waters.

Edited January 24, 2016 by Kasilofchrisn

[BLT]

Well I see this thread is already off track(sort of).

First let me say I was a saltwater jig fisherman before I was a jig maker.

I knew what I wanted in a jig and what I wanted to improve upon for my area and species. I am happy to say I feel I have accomplished that and then some though I can always see another horizon I want to get to.

While size is important in any fishing jig it isn't always the most important consideration yet sometimes it is the biggest factor.

You need to find out first and foremost what type,size,color, and style of jig your potential customers are currently using.

Find out their likes and dislikes in their current tackle. What sizes and styles you decide to make should be based on what your customers want to buy and not what you want to sell them.

Contact some reputable local saltwater guides and ask for their advice and give them some free tackle to test for you in return.

It matters not what works in Alaska for me fishing halibut or ling cod when you are fishing Tarpon or king mackerel in Florida.

Just because Do-It molds are low cost you shouldn't make them your only consideration.Though that doesn't necessarily rule them out either.

Also consider you want your stuff to be as good or better than commercially made tackle in your area.And you want it to have those custom touches only a custom maker can do.

Local regulations may also be a factor in what you make. Some areas may have hook size or type limitations/regulations.

I make jigs to 48oz and weights to 5#. As well as several other smaller and bigger items out of lead.

While my 24oz jigs are popular here they likely wouldn't sell much at all in Florida.

So once you have an idea of what commercially available tackle your potential customers are using now for the various local saltwater species then you can ask the questions of which molds will work for your customers to get something similar.

I have some good ideas for you just from watching some you tube videos and outdoor channel shows of Florida offshore fishing but would like some more local input before making my suggestions.

And yes you really need to ladle pour anything over 3 ounces.To get the best quality anyway.

I can tell you more on this once you know what you really want to make both styles and sizes and what your budget for this venture is going to be.

I hope this helps and please add more to this thread once you learn what you want to try to make.

I'm sure we can help you make some awesome saltwater jigs for your local waters.

 

Some times, you really do come across with a know it all attitude. From what I read, his question is about the Spro head jig mold.

The topic was kept on track talking about that mold. If he wanted advice on what other molds to use, then the topic would switch to that direction, and what he may need to do there.

I must have the only bottom feed pot that will do the 4,6 and 8 oz. jigs I make, but it was noted his 10# lee may not be able to do it.

 

While your advice on asking the locals what they would want in style/size/color is spot on, we kept the topic to the original topic. Heck they may even want jigs for Parachute rigs or squid trailers, not bucktail.

 

Sorry for the mini, but like I said, sometimes I just get a little know it all attitude.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Sorry I didn't mean to come off as a know it all.

And I certainly don't know it all.

There certainly are some great saltwater jig makers on TU who are very willing to help.

It just seems to me that a person venturing into making tackle for an unknown fishery should first determine what they really need to be making to maximize sales.

I own the ultra minnow mold in the larger sizes. But rarely cast them because buck tails are seldom used here.I almost feel as though I wasted my money buying it.

But I had the extra $$ at the time and it is a nice jig overall so I'll hang on to it for now.

I know speed jigging is popular in Florida's saltwater.

For that the flutter jig is a good one.

Shawn Collins does make some great saltwater jig molds as well but they are a lot more expensive.so budget does make a difference.

I know one of my DoIt molds accepts a circle 90*jig hook. The description mentioned that the circle jig hook was to follow Florida's saltwater fishing regs.

That's why I mentioned checking the regs for your area also.

I'd hate to make something people in your area can't use.likely only applied to a specific area only.

I'll look into that some more just because I'm curious.

The ultra minnow is a worthwhile mold if buck tails are something people in your area use.

Otherwise I'd look into the flutter jig molds as a first purchase. Rigged assist style they are a great saltwater jig.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Looks like the Florida circle hook rules are for federal waters 9 miles offshore.

So still plenty of J hook waters.

Interesting to read though.

[Slammingjack]

As far as the whole circle hook rule it's only for natural /live/ dead  bait. What I understand anyway. I looked at the flutter jig before, now might need to look at that closer. With the Lee pot not being a good  choice for pouring 2-4 oz. I would have to get a lot better using a ladle or buy a RCBS. I got a post on a local forum about this. A few people use the jigs I make.i'll Wait and see what they say.  But will come back and post the out come. Thank you guys for your help.

[BLT]

If you are only doing these for friends and not making that many, I would not spend the money on the RCBS. I got mine when my Dad Passed away. He used it for bullets and fishing. When this dies, I will get the Lee pot, and ladle the 4+ oz. jigs.

 

Does anyone have BOTH pots? Was just wondering if the spout opening on the lee and RCBS are the same size. Then again, could be my Dad made this one wider....never looked.

[Kasilofchrisn]

ladle pouring isn't really all that hard.

I would look into the Rowell brand of ladles that rotometals sells they are easier to work with in my opinion.

They also have a thermometer that you should use. It is easy to overheat your lead and make bad fumes with an open flame under the pot. I built a simple clamp to hole my thermometer in my pot.

I'm sure there are some good ladle casting videos on youtube that could help you.

 I use a turkey fryer style burner with a 50# capacity cast iron pot on it for most of my casting.

Making big jigs uses a lot of lead so I need a bigger pot with less refilling. Plus you need some level in the pot to scoop from.

You could get by with a 20# capacity pot for that 6oz-8oz stuff depending on how much your casting in a session.

I add lead when I need it and use the time while the pot heats back up to trim some sprues and add those in also.

I use the space around my pot on the burner to preheat my molds and that works great.

I made a plywood table for casting on. I added a tin top to it for heat resistance.

I often use a length of closet dowel rod to tap the mold to release any jigs that don't fall out on their own.

I'm sure you'll catch on to ladle casting right away if you decide to go that route.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Good to know on that circle hook thing.

I know I had read somewhere about Florida and circle hooks.

Now that this came up I researched and read it myself and am glad it doesn't apply to jigs or all saltwaters down there.

[LimpNoodle]

If you are only doing these for friends and not making that many, I would not spend the money on the RCBS. I got mine when my Dad Passed away. He used it for bullets and fishing. When this dies, I will get the Lee pot, and ladle the 4+ oz. jigs.

 

Does anyone have BOTH pots? Was just wondering if the spout opening on the lee and RCBS are the same size. Then again, could be my Dad made this one wider....never looked.

 

When/if the RCBS dies I'll take it off your hands.

 

I have both.  The RCBS is capable of releasing a lot more lead.

[BLT]

When/if the RCBS dies I'll take it off your hands.

 

I have both.  The RCBS is capable of releasing a lot more lead.

Can you tell if the spout opening is larger on the RCBS seeing that you have both? I think mine is at least 20 years old. I've had it for 9 years, and Dad had it for that long at least.

[LimpNoodle]

The opening is larger.

[Slammingjack]

Said I would post back about how things came out. I'm passing on offshore jigs for now. Ask the people who asking me about the jig and they never got back to me. So I picked up a ball head mold for inshore saltwater. That I wanted. 4 1/8 and 3 1/4. cavities. That will get a good workout. Maybe next year I'll get the flutter mold.

[BLT]

Said I would post back about how things came out. I'm passing on offshore jigs for now. Ask the people who asking me about the jig and they never got back to me. So I picked up a ball head mold for inshore saltwater. That I wanted. 4 1/8 and 3 1/4. cavities. That will get a good workout. Maybe next year I'll get the flutter mold.

Did you get a heavy hook or wire hook mold?

[Slammingjack]

Heavy JRS-7-48. Also got the stuff to try belly spins. Got the minnow head mold as well. Should be fun.

[BLT]

And that is what its all about, fun.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Well at least you didn't waste money on a mold you might not have used.

I get inquiries in certain jigs and then never hear from the people again. Seems pretty common from some fishermen.

It's good to hear you have found some other molds that interest you.

[BLT]

Well at least you didn't waste money on a mold you might not have used.

I get inquiries in certain jigs and then never hear from the people again. Seems pretty common from some fishermen.

 

 

Ain't that the truth!