Custom Baits - Forum
Jigs, Spinnerbaits and Sinkers => Crappie / Pan Fish Jigs => Topic started by: ctom on 07/29/14 11:31 UTC
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We all know that when you walk into a shop to buy jigs what the size differences are. But what about here on a site like this. Recently I have been on a roll working with the Do-It molds in smaller sizes to help fill a niche in my tackle line-up but to also answer a question or two for a couple of bait shops. Recently I got a 1/64 semi-custom mold in 1/64 and most recently I got a mold in the 1/80 size. The size disparity between the 1/64 and 1/80 is something to see but the difference between the 1/16 and 1/32 is unreal.
(http://i941.photobucket.com/albums/ad259/cttackle/9f62266c-ccb9-49f7-a8bd-bb6fe23418cd.jpg) (http://s941.photobucket.com/user/cttackle/media/9f62266c-ccb9-49f7-a8bd-bb6fe23418cd.jpg.html)
At the top is the 1/16-#4 hook, then 1/32-#6 hook, then 1/64-#8 hook and at the bottom 1/80 sporting a #10 Eagle Claw 570 BP hook. Hook sizes are consistent with the tackle industry standards in size.
Unlike the pro molds I use for 1/16 and 1/32 heads and hand ladle, the 1/64 and the 1/80 are both molds made for bottom pouring furnaces. I found that using pure lead and working at the hottest setting the furnace provides allows me to hand cast the latter two with very little getting in the way of happy casting. Hook-wise, I choose Matzuo Sickle hooks where I have the hooks available. In the 1/16 and 1/32 the Sickle is the only hook I use and the pro molds handle them wonderfully. The 1/64 ultra precision mold allowed some flexibility in hook sizes and the mold has been cast using the sickle and a size 10 Eagle Claw 570 BP as well as with a Mustad 32833BLN. All three of these hooks cast perfectly. The 1/80 ultra precision is a bit fussier, but then keep in mind I am hand pouring tis mold. I Cast 100 of the jigs using the Eagle Claw sixe 10 570 BP and the Mustad 32833 in size 10 BLN. The wire in the Mustad hook is slightly heavier than that of the EC and at times the mold did not want to close completely and I'd have to go back and check the alignment of each hook. The EC hooks went in and the mold closed every time. As far as casting, the finished jigs using either hook came out perfect. I'm certain that with use the mold will relax some and the Mustad hooks will load just like the EC.
Casting times are actually not bad. It took longer to get the 20 pound pot to working temperature than it took to cast 200 jigs. These small-jig molds should be pre-heated. I set mine across the top of the hot pot when I fire it up and by the time the lead is fluid the mold will fry an egg. The time saved in casting and trimming these little guys is more than enough to justify the cost, but when you look at how clean these little guys snap off the sprues you'll really smile. The jigs go from sprue removal to paint, no touch up at all.
I've been making jigs a loooooong time and was pretty much intimidated by the thought of doing tiny jigs but decided to at least give them a try. I don't think I'll go any smaller but for those who throw their own and feel as I have felt, I say take the step towards these smaller heads. I've always just bought them as needed but hook quality always had me hot under the collar. I don't have to worry about that any more. The picture is meant to help show the difference in size between a 1/16 head and the smaller ones as size drops.
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Great post
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That really shows how small a 1/80 is as the 1/16oz looks huge compared to the rest. Fatman and some of his friends got me into trying smaller heads but right now the smallest I've done is a 1/48oz minnow head, those make great crappie jigs but also do a good job of making trout minnows. I don't know if I would be able to go that small as it takes a little more talent and better eye sight.
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Great comparison Tom the 1/80 1/32 is what I use the most on the ice. And the 1/80 gets more crappie because of the slow drop speed and it flutes. 8) 8)