Hooks for DoIt STL-6-A

Bentrod425 · October 14, 2018

First time poster here.

Long time salmon and Steelhead fisherman and have been tying my own jigs for years, but recently wanted to start pouring my own jig heads, primarily for tying Coho twitching jigs (1/4-1/2 oz), and eventually plan to pour Steelhead jigs (1/16-1/4 oz). I'm sure I'm providing way more info here than necessary, but maybe my story will help someone in the future.

To get started I ordered a DoIt mold STL-6-A which as one cavity each of 1/32,1/6, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 oz. I was thinking this would allow me the most options without ordering multiple molds (would need two separate molds to get the 1/4oz and 3/8oz heads I was looking for). I researched here and multiple places about what mold to use and what hooks as I do have my preferences in terms of what type and size of hooks to use for various jigs/presentations, but had a hard time finding any solid info on what alternate hooks might work with this particular mold. I did find a lot of info on various brands of hooks for different applications, how to modify molds, and what hooks might work with other styles of molds, but this mold in particular didn't have much info. My purpose of this posting is to share a bit of info for those who may be looking for it.

I do have experience pouring lead for weights, down rigger balls, etc, so already had supplies from that. However, since I'd not done the jig head thing before I ordered the recommended Eagle Claw hooks (635 O'Shaughnessy) in 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0. 2/0 was what I was really after. I was fairly disappointed when the hooks arrived as they have a long shank and being bright finish isn't really what I wanted (prefer black nickel), but to get started they'd do and they're cheap, so won't be too upset about loosing a few to snags.

In the meantime I did reach out to a local fishing forum guy I know who I remembered pours his own jigs and I'd not been in touch with for a year or two. Fortunately he was available and gave me some very helpful info. He also thought the Mustad 32833 hook would fit this mold. I immediately ordered some 2/0 Mustads 32833s. In the meantime I cut my teeth with the ECs.

I don't have a bottom pour pot, so work old school with a burner, pot, and ladle. I used a candle to blacken the mold cavities before starting. Once the mold was hot I started pouring heads. I used 2/0 hooks and poured a dozen 1/4 and 3/8 oz heads, which worked great. Super easy and very happy with the ease of pouring these heads. I wasted no time in painting and tying up a few twitching jigs since the Coho season is currently under way here. Short story, the jigs were OK, but I still wasn't completely happy with the hooks.

The Mustad's came in Friday, so I poured some yesterday. My first concern was that the shorter shank to eye length would not work with the STL-6-A mold or I'd have to modify the mold (didn't really want to do that). However, these seemed to just fit. The other concern was wire diameter, but again, these fit with no problem (2/0 hook for the 1/8, 1/4, 3/8 oz cavities). Pouring went perfectly. These look SO much better to me than the EC O'Shaughnessy hooks for my application. I poured some 1/8, 1/4, and 3/8oz sizes. I haven't had a chance to tye any jigs up yet, but hope to do so and test some jigs out on the water later this week.

I think that covers it all, but will add more info if I think of it or if I find out more useful info in regards to this mold in the future.

I posted a comparison pic of the 2/0 EC (top) vs the 2/0 Mustad (bottom) from the jigs I poured.

Thanks to all for the info posted here. I've enjoyed reading various posts.