Custom Baits - Forum

Jigs, Spinnerbaits and Sinkers => Request a Lead Mold => Topic started by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/03/20 03:24 UTC

Title: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/03/20 03:24 UTC
High-speed wahoo trolling requires heavy trolling sinkers.  The cable-through design has gained popularity to the point where nobody will purchase a sinker with cast-in eyes.  The Do-It in-line trolling sinkers are very efficient with the weight-forward design, but also archaic with no options aside from the brass eyes.

I would like a set of 20/24 oz., 32 oz., 48 oz., and 64 oz. in-line trolling sinker molds either machined for 3/32” pull pins, or simply not machined for the brass eyes/swivels so I can machine them myself for pull pins.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: efishnc on 02/10/20 21:20 UTC
Welcome tigermeat~

It seems there are not a lot of suggestions in this department, but I'll throw out my idea of how to accomplish your goal...

With the limited response here, I think there also would be limited demand for what you seek (and Do-it likely would not create something with such limited return); therefore I would suggest you modify one or more of the cannon ball molds to create the weights you want... a little JB putty in the mold can help make it as you might desire (creating unique shapes and/or sizes) and making the cable hole can be accomplished by drilling the mold and inserting a brass rod (hardware stores have basic sizes, but specialty sizes certainly are available if you look elsewhere)... pretty easy to trim the flashing where the eye is after casting or fill it JB before.   

Lot's of guys on this site (including myself) have modified lead molds, so keep asking if you need help or ideas to get what you are looking for.

Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 02/11/20 12:19 UTC
Welcome too the family
https://store.do-itmolds.com/In-Line-Trolling-SinkerbrSz-64_p_677.html
JB Weld the eyelets and let dry than cut were your putting  the rod in.
Hope this helped.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/12/20 00:30 UTC
The Do-It trolling sinker shape is excellent, the brass eyes are not.  I have been using the in-line trolling sinkers since the 1980’s for high-speed wahoo trolling.  This is a crazy large and growing part of the saltwater fishing world.  Demand for quality trolling sinkers is large.

I have previously machined pull-pin slots into the molds and already produce cable-through sinkers with brass bores.  The problem is the pull-pin slots go right through the machining for the brass eyes and their isn’t enough material there to be durable.  I’m looking to replace a complete set of molds that are past their service life.

All I’m after is the molds without the machining for the brass eyes so I can start with a “clean slate” to machine the slots for the pull-pins.  Not looking to Do-It to do more, but rather less.

Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 02/12/20 00:58 UTC
The problem is that the master that makes the mold are not made that way. And a whole new master would need to be made. Call and talk to Kyle.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/12/20 01:16 UTC
The machining for the eyes appears to be done last.  It has nothing to do with the casting, and therefore not the master.

How do I get in touch with Kyle? 

For the large trolling sinkers the molds are outdated.  Nobody will buy a 64 oz. trolling sinker with brass eyes.  Aside from high-speed wahoo trolling I don’t know an application for the large in-line sinkers.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: ctom on 02/12/20 07:16 UTC
Kyle......1-866-984-3648 and ask for him
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/12/20 16:23 UTC
Kyle......1-866-984-3648 and ask for him

Thank you.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/29/20 09:24 UTC
Follow-up:

Kyle was very receptive to my request and turned me over to the production manager, Mark.  Due to production cycles it will take as much as two months to acquire the full set of unfinished molds I’m looking for, but I will get them.

To keep it fair for Do-It I’m purchasing 20 molds, five of each of the four sizes.  I will do the machining for the pull-pins/brass bores myself, but this time on fresh blanks without the interference of the brass eye sockets.

Thanks to those who replied to help me with this, and the staff at Do-it.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 02/29/20 11:29 UTC
Glad that you were able to get what you needed . DO-IT has the best costumer service hands down.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: ctom on 03/01/20 18:51 UTC
Both Kyle and Brennan are stand-up guys for customer service. Mark is a great one to work with as well. Honestly, the whole of Do-It is amazing to work with.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: Kasilofchrisn on 03/02/20 21:33 UTC
I have those trolling sinker molds up to 32oz iirc.
Though in mine I use stainless steel eyelets never brass.
Mine was made by Shawn Collins customs.
He can make you what you need no machining required by you.
He's not cheap but quality never is!

Sent from my S41 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 04/26/20 13:54 UTC
I have the Collins Customs trolling bar molds from 24-64 oz.  The Do-it molds make a much better sinker.  A 48 oz. Do-It in-line sinker will take a lure deeper than a 64 oz. trolling bar.

Many of my customers use the trolling sinkers in conjunction with planer bridles.  Only the smallest of trolling bars can be rigged to fit the standard 16” planer bridle rigs.  I can rig a 64 oz. Do-It sinker and stay within the 16”.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: 21xdc on 04/26/20 14:06 UTC
Awesome.. I hope to see some finished pics of your product...  8)
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 04/26/20 15:36 UTC
I’d like also to see the set up and fish caught on it. 8)
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 04/28/20 13:16 UTC
You can see my full line of products here:  https://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-miscellaneous-items-commercial-sellers-only/1045501-zeppelin-hst-new-b-liner-neon-color.html

There’s a few pictures of wahoo caught by my customers.  The post dated 4/27 described the trolling sinkers as “Mantle Ready”.  As far as I know I’m the only one making powder coated cable-through-brass-bore trolling sinkers.  Admittedly they are pretty but to me they’re “function over form”.  The powder coat serves to camouflage the sinker to reduce lead strikes from wahoo but also adds the benefit of not marring gel-coat and being safer to handle than bare lead. [ Invalid Attachment ]
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: 21xdc on 04/28/20 15:50 UTC
Wow.. Those look like a lot of work, They look great!
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 04/28/20 17:18 UTC
That some great looking rig.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 04/29/20 13:26 UTC
They are a lot of work but since it’s all big hardware it’s not too bad.  The picture is for use with planer bridles, my true high-speed sinkers are more basic.

I do electrostatic powder coating and everything is coated hot.  For the 64 oz. I use the casting heat for the coating application, then finish them in the powder oven.  The smaller ones are cast, cooled and re-heated later for the powder coat.

My high-speed lures are also a casting from a custom CNC mold.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: ctom on 04/29/20 14:09 UTC
These are all pieces of art. Very nice job done on all of them.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: Apdriver on 04/29/20 20:52 UTC
Way cool gear for a very specific fishery. Really nice, too.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: Lines on 04/29/20 21:52 UTC
Very nice equipment tigermeat.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: Bayou Burner on 04/30/20 09:44 UTC
I know the trouble is worth it-Wahoo is possibly the best tasting fish ever to swim in my book! Very nice work :D
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 04/30/20 11:38 UTC
Wow, thank you all!

I found a Do-It ad in the back of Popular Mechanics, mailed a letter and got a catalog back in the mail, completed the Order Form, returned it via mail with a check and got my first 16 oz. trolling sinker mold before the internet was invented.  It’s outlasted six girlfriends and two wives, not sure about the third wife, but the mold is still going strong :D
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 05/05/20 23:21 UTC
Glad that the molds have served you well over the years and as far as the other thing if you can share interests it’s a blessing.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 05/16/20 14:34 UTC
Here’s a nice 100 pounder by one of my customers.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: WALLEYE WACKER on 05/16/20 16:29 UTC
Awesome pic great fish
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: Lines on 05/16/20 16:34 UTC
That really makes a guy feel good, doesn't it?
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: ctom on 05/16/20 18:49 UTC
I'm not a salt guy....are those meat fish? If so, what does it compare to?
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 05/19/20 18:31 UTC
Ctom,  Total meat fish.  Considered by many to be the best eating fish in the sea.  Firm white flesh, very delicate flavor.

It can be a bit dry if cooked too much.  Mostly cooked to medium-rare, but it’s a fine sashimi fish.

It’s a member of the mackerel family, but is not oily and doesn’t have the “fishy” flavor of it’s kin.
Title: Re: Wahoo trolling sinkers
Post by: tigermeat1w@gmail.com on 02/08/21 11:34 UTC
A full year has passed since I was told I could buy the molds without the final machining done, but nothing ever came of it.  Unfortunately I’ll have to have custom molds cut elsewhere.