Custom Baits - Forum
Jigs, Spinnerbaits and Sinkers => Bass Jigs => Topic started by: LennynSquiggy on 02/27/22 21:17 UTC
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Is there such a thing as an Arky jig mold that doesn't have a weedguard?
Does it affect the jigs action if you don't use a weedguard?
The Trokar Arky, that's the same as an Arky jig except with a Trokar hook?
Thanks guys.
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I don’t think one is made without a weedguard but you can use a Teflon pin in the weedguard spot and pour without it. If you wanted to just fill it in permanent, JB weld would do that or high temp RTV. The action isn’t affected without the weedguard. It makes a great bladed jig too.
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The Sparkie is offered this way.
https://store.do-itmolds.com/Sparkie-JigbrSz-116-18-316-14-38-12-58brHk-410-or-413brCollar-Ball_p_433.html
https://store.do-itmolds.com/Sparkie-JigbrSz-34-1-1-12brHk-410-or-413brCollar-Ball_p_434.html
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The Sparkie is offered this way.
https://store.do-itmolds.com/Sparkie-JigbrSz-116-18-316-14-38-12-58brHk-410-or-413brCollar-Ball_p_433.html
https://store.do-itmolds.com/Sparkie-JigbrSz-34-1-1-12brHk-410-or-413brCollar-Ball_p_434.html
This is the same as the Arky just w/o a weedguard? I ask because I have a VERY particular customer. ;)
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The Sparkie has a bit different head profile. It’s a little narrower.
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The Sparkie has a bit different head profile. It’s a little narrower.
Thanks friend!
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I'm a BIG fan of the Trokar Arky because of the collar design (for skirts and plastic trailers). Even though the mold was designed for EC Trokar hooks, EC 730 series hooks fit perfectly since the dies both are made on have the same specs.
Another cheap option to make Arky jigs without the weed guard would be to cut/grind down the metal pins so they are flush with the edge of the mold cavities (and the jigs will come out looking like the Sparkie with an alternate collar design).
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Actually the Trokar Arky that Do It Molds produce are not the same as the other Arky heads produced in their other molds, They're still an Arky style, but the Trokar version is more angular in it's shape.
I like that mold a lot and really wish they made a version that will accept flat eye hooks. In addition to the Trokar hook, VMC, Mustad, Gamakatsu & Owner all make hooks that will fit, although some mod at the hook eye slot may be necessary.
This is a jig from that TK mold, shown without the weed guard. I also have added a wire keeper, that's an easy modification too.
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This is the older Arky, that has a ball collar. I had modified this one too slightly so the ball held skirts better.
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As you can see, same basic shape but the older Arky is more rounded in it's shape. I have the newer Arky mold too, that has the longer ring & barb collar. That head is also more rounded, and I've also added a wire keeper to that mold.
These are all good jigs but I tend to favor the Trokar version. ;D
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As you can see, same basic shape but the older Arky is more rounded in it's shape. I have the newer Arky mold too, that has the longer ring & cone collar. That head is also more rounded, and I've also added a wire keeper to that mold.
These are all good jigs but I tend to favor the Trokar version. ;D
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In addition to the Trokar hook, VMC, Mustad, Gamakatsu & Owner all make hooks that will fit, although some mod at the hook eye slot may be necessary.
Exactly my point... and let's not forget the 60 degree Victory hooks.
These are all good jigs but I tend to favor the Trokar version. ;D
Yes, the Trokar Arky (IMO) is a "must have" mold for bass jigs.
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I prefer a 30* leg hook. We have lots of weeds here and a 60* just don't work as well.
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Exactly my point... and let's not forget the 60 degree Victory hooks.
Yes, the Trokar Arky (IMO) is a "must have" mold for bass jigs.
I prefer a 30* leg hook. We have lots of weeds here and a 60* just don't work as well.
Yes sir and I can very much agree with you! Do It has really done a great job with new design's that they've added over the years.
I also like the Victory hooks, plus others like Daiichi. All the major brands IMO make some good hooks. Not knocking Eagle Claw, but they could step it up with some of theirs. Trokar are excellent, most of the time, but inconsistent. I've gotten some that the points bent over too quickly, and that's likely a tempering problem, and for the price tag, I frankly prefer other brands. When I've gotten a Trokar hook from them that did what it was intended, they've been awesome. My all around favorites are Owner, and if EC could fix their issues, Trokar would be right there too.
I also use various 30 degree hooks, but in molds that are made for them or a close angle. I modify many molds, but have not attempted to change any from using 60 degree to 30 degree, as there's some great molds for those hooks. The Do It Weedless Casting Jig, Poisontail, & Weedless Bullet Bass are all molds I have and use a lot and they all will take various 30 degree hooks. VMC, Victory & Mustad all make some 30 degree hooks that work great in these molds and are all excellent hooks. I've yet to have a customer complain about any of them. I've also got some Gamakatsu, but only use them in 5/0.
I like having these various styles of jigs as there's a time & place for fishing any of them and the waters here in Santee Cooper can vary a good bit depending on where you are on the lake or in the rivers.
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Thanks everybody, you've all been very helpful.
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I use a Arky to make my chatterbaits. I just took one of the pins and cut it so when I pour it there's no pin hole.
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I use the teflon pins cut in half to pour heads when I don't want to use a weed guard. That leaves a small bump of lead that I cut off with my gate cutters.
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Edit--Found my answer.
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I use a Arky to make my chatterbaits. I just took one of the pins and cut it so when I pour it there's no pin hole.
That's an awesome idea my friend! I'll put an extra set of pins in my cart for my next order specifically for that purpose.
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I use a Arky to make my chatterbaits. I just took one of the pins and cut it so when I pour it there's no pin hole.
I just make the chatter baits with the weed gaurd ......not sure what the benefit of not having it would be.
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I just make the chatter baits with the weed gaurd ......not sure what the benefit of not having it would be.
The weed guard prevents the blade from laying down and exposing the hook for a good bite on the fish. I will never use a weedguard on a bladed jig. Way too many missed and lost fish.
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Why not make them with the weedguard hole and just leave it empty? That way if you have some left over; you could always put the guard in and use them as jigs.
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Why not make them with the weedguard hole and just leave it empty? That way if you have some left over; you could always put the guard in and use them as jigs.
Can't see why that wouldn't work.
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Why not make them with the weedguard hole and just leave it empty? That way if you have some left over; you could always put the guard in and use them as jigs.
Well, on some of the heads the hook shank may be exposed down in the bottom of the hole, so water's going to get in there and potentially cause rusting inside the lead. Otherwise, I doubt it would make any difference. I have a customer who orders heads from me, that he uses to make bladed jigs, and he asks that the hole be included, because he also uses the heads for other jig types. I've told him that I can make some both ways for him, but he insists on having the hole.
Of course you can fill it with epoxy or some other sealer, or not, which would just be your preference to do.
If you're losing a good many jigs anyway, I guess it has no bearing as far as the possibility of the hook rusting.
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I just make chatter baits with the weed gaurd…I don’t think it hurts the action any/much. Is there a reason not to use the weed gaurd?
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I just make chatter baits with the weed gaurd…I don’t think it hurts the action any/much. Is there a reason not to use the weed gaurd?
Yes... 3 posts above... You must not read much LOL...
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The weed guard prevents the blade from laying down and exposing the hook for a good bite on the fish. I will never use a weedguard on a bladed jig. Way too many missed and lost fish.
Blade from laying down? You'll have to explain that one to me a bit better. I don't see how the weed guard would do that.
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Blade from laying down? You'll have to explain that one to me a bit better. I don't see how the weed guard would do that.
I don't see how it would either but I think it does hurt the hook up. When you set the hook on a jig you blow through the weed guard and with a chatter bait it's not as much force.
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Blade from laying down? You'll have to explain that one to me a bit better. I don't see how the weed guard would do that.
A lot of times bigger bass will inhale the entire bait. When that happens and you set the hook, the blade can't collapse because it is propped up by the weed guard. Because the blade can't fully collapse it often forces the mouth of the fish open and you only skin hook the fish and lose or miss it altogether.
I used a weed guard when I started making bladed jigs and I always seemed to lose good fish. I also would miss what seemed like solid strikes and I could not figure out why. I tried making a few without the weed guard and like magic the missed fish disappeared. Not only missed fish but the ones I lost went down to almost zero.
The only difference to those baits was the omission of the weed guard. I don't have the issue with regular jigs, only bladed ones. For me, I believe it is the weed guard not letting the blade collapse out of the way fully. That is only a guess but what other explanation could it be?
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I make some big Poisontail spinnerbaits 3/4 oz & heavier, with weed guards, that I either use a smaller diameter weed guard or I trim them down. Occasionally, that will cause a missed fish, but IMO, no more often than a spinnerbait without a weed guard.
I haven't tried it with a bladed jig, as the blade acts like a guard for the most part deflecting the lure away from many snags. I've had them get snagged, lost a few to stumps, but I don't think a weed guard will necessarily improve them.
Of course I'm also willing to try anything too, if someone else is having that work well for them. ::)
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A lot of times bigger bass will inhale the entire bait. When that happens and you set the hook, the blade can't collapse because it is propped up by the weed guard. Because the blade can't fully collapse it often forces the mouth of the fish open and you only skin hook the fish and lose or miss it altogether.
I used a weed guard when I started making bladed jigs and I always seemed to lose good fish. I also would miss what seemed like solid strikes and I could not figure out why. I tried making a few without the weed guard and like magic the missed fish disappeared. Not only missed fish but the ones I lost went down to almost zero.
The only difference to those baits was the omission of the weed guard. I don't have the issue with regular jigs, only bladed ones. For me, I believe it is the weed guard not letting the blade collapse out of the way fully. That is only a guess but what other explanation could it be?
I said the same thing in less words... LOL I've only been at the tournament and bait making game for almost 40 years... But dont take my word for anything... ;)
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A lot of times bigger bass will inhale the entire bait. When that happens and you set the hook, the blade can't collapse because it is propped up by the weed guard. Because the blade can't fully collapse it often forces the mouth of the fish open and you only skin hook the fish and lose or miss it altogether.
I used a weed guard when I started making bladed jigs and I always seemed to lose good fish. I also would miss what seemed like solid strikes and I could not figure out why. I tried making a few without the weed guard and like magic the missed fish disappeared. Not only missed fish but the ones I lost went down to almost zero.
The only difference to those baits was the omission of the weed guard. I don't have the issue with regular jigs, only bladed ones. For me, I believe it is the weed guard not letting the blade collapse out of the way fully. That is only a guess but what other explanation could it be?
I don't really agree with that thought. The line should be pulling the blade forward, and if the fish would bite, the blade would be pulled forward flat. If the Blade was flopped back against the weed guard preventing the hook from working.......you'd have to have slack line......and wouldn't hook the fish anyway. I'm not trying to sway anyone one way of the other, just trying to understand how the weed guard is an issue or how it is preventing a hookup.
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When the fish comes from behind the bait, it pushes the bait forward, creating slack and allowing the blade to fold back. Surely you've heard the expression "He knocked slack in the line". ;)
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All I know is if you take a swim jig with a weed guard and a chatter bait with a weed guard you'll miss more fish with the chatter bait. The only difference between the two is the blade. I wish it would work better because I would love to toss it around lay downs but it's a snagging fool with no weed guard.
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Well I guess I learned something. I can’t say I’ve had any problems with hooking fish using a chatter bait with a weed guard. If I start missing them, then I’ll know what to do. Thanks for the info.