Ned jig with a lead keeper

[Canga~]

I was just making some 3/32 ball heads with a wire keeper, and it got me thinking, “man does putting there tiny wires in suck!”. Would it be possible to make a Midwest finesse head with a lead keeper? Something similar to the wire but that’s made of lead. I think a lot of people are making their own ned softbaits now and with a standard plastisol a wire keeper just isn’t needed!

Also an Erie jig with a tapered barb in 1/8 and 3/16 combo mold would be amazing!

Also make some 3/32 tapered collar ball head production molds, please!

[bigjim5589]

I use a pair of tweezers and have only been getting the larger size wires. I have to bend or even cut them to fit in the smaller cavities, but get much better results as I don't get any loose wires, and with the slightly bigger wire, plastics stay on better IMO.

Get a good pair of tweezers and lay the wires & hooks out when pouring so that you can pick them up and place them in the mold without fumbling around.  Work with the habit of doing it the same each time, once you think that you've found a process that does work well for you.

I've got to where I can pour them fairly quickly, and the tweezers are a big part of that. Those that I have a similar to these, with a wide point. https://www.target.com/p/japonesque-modern-slant-tweezer/-/A-79991306#lnk=sametab

[Canga~]

I use a pair of tweezers and have only been getting the larger size wires. I have to bend or even cut them to fit in the smaller cavities, but get much better results as I don't get any loose wires, and with the slightly bigger wire, plastics stay on better IMO.

Get a good pair of tweezers and lay the wires & hooks out when pouring so that you can pick them up and place them in the mold without fumbling around.  Work with the habit of doing it the same each time, once you think that you've found a process that does work well for you.

I've got to where I can pour them fairly quickly, and the tweezers are a big part of that. Those that I have a similar to these, with a wide point. https://www.target.com/p/japonesque-modern-slant-tweezer/-/A-79991306#lnk=sametab

i tried the tweezers, it worked ok for me, but its still twice as tedious as just pouring a jig without the wire, and with a plastisol bait the wire is completely not needed. loose wires dont bother me, they are just there to hold the bait in place anyways, and i dont sell the wire keeper jigs, way too much time per jig

[Lines]

I bought a pair of small needle nose pliers at Walmart in the craft section to handle the inserts. Works pretty well for me. I think it is about as easy to dampen my finger and press down on the wire insert, then tranfer it to the mold.

[bigjim5589]

i tried the tweezers, it worked ok for me, but its still twice as tedious as just pouring a jig without the wire, and with a plastisol bait the wire is completely not needed. loose wires dont bother me, they are just there to hold the bait in place anyways, and i dont sell the wire keeper jigs, way too much time per jig

Well, you have to do what works best for you, and the way that you use the jigs. I sell them and folks like the wire keeper, so I make them so the wire isn't loose, and even though it does take a little more time, I just price them accordingly, and no one has been complaining.

I also pour the Ponyhead jigs that have a lead barb, and some folks like them and some have asked if I make them with the wire keepers. No matter what you do, someone wants something different. I've never had any problems keeping a plastic bait on with the lead barb either.