Darter Jig History, Variants, Molds??

[jgrizzle]

Did Do-it ever make any darter jig variants? Has the shape & collar always been the same?

The Hilts darter is quite different, and a lot of the old West coast references seem to illustrate the Kalin's head... I'm thinking for hand-poured worms and grubs... general thoughts on the current mold?

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Call Kyle He will know if they have changed the mold over time and see if he’ll send a sample that the best way to know by Ha ring one in your hand. The darter is a awesome mole I have a 1/4 and 3/8 I use a lot of hair jigs tied on them

[ctom]

Not absolutely positive but I think the Do-It Darter has been the same since day one.  I have seen one other shad darter type of head mold done in a very cheap hinged model without a name. I had a Do-It Darter head mold maybe 20-25 years ago and sold it and it was the same as the current mold, no collar. The Do-It Shad and Shad Dart are two very different heads.

The Do-It Shad head makes a head very similar to one that Kalin offers, but that one I cannot speak on as far as having changed any over the years.

[WALLEYE WACKER]

https://store.do-itmolds.com/Darter-JigbrSz-14-38brHk-570-or-575brCollar-Barb_p_419.html
The collar is tapered so you don’t rip the plastic.

[ctom]

My bad. I got hung up on the Shad Darter. Carry on Walleye!

[jgrizzle]

I should add I'm surprised that the 1/8th cavity takes a 3/0 hook as the original mold... I'm pretty sure back in the day everyone used #1, 1/0, and 2/0 max for their 1/16 and 1/8th presentations...

(Not sure who Kyle is, I have spoke to Lloyd in the past but not on this topic.)

[ctom]

Lloyd is one of the old timers....been there forever. If anyone knows, Lloyd does. Kyle can certainly find out if he doesn't already know.

[DF]

I use the darter a lot with grubs and small swim baits in open water or light grass. I like the fact you can use larger hooks relative to the weight. The 1/4oz with a 3/0 hook is what I use the most.

[ctom]

If a guy was fishing only plastic on that head it would mod out nice for the keeper wire. I could see the longer and double barbed wire in that head.

[Do-it Rep]

Lloyd tells me the Darter Jig has been the same since day one.