Over 40

[ctom]

The thermometer in the shade is above 40 degrees today so I have been in the shop casting lead and shooting some plastics.

I needed to restore my supply of 1/32 heads using the Lil Nasty hooks from Eagle Claw. I did a few hundred in a #6 hook and about half as many using a #8 hook. I should be sitting ok for the up-coming season now....these are MY stock.

As I was picking up after casting a buddy called ans we shot the breeze for a while. He does all my website work and I in turn keep him in tackle. He was doing about the same thing as I was a week ago when it wasn't as warm....digging thru the open water stuff to see what needed replenishing. He needed these little stingers.

 

There are 60 of each color you see here. They are Bear's 1" Ice Stinger baits. I have used maybe a dozen of these over the years when I still fished ice, but I do better with them in open water, especially when I am light lining along sunken wood or dock pilings without a float. Do-It's 1/64 Semi Custom head with a #8 Lil Nasty hook takes these down to the fish. It can be a super productive combo.

The colors shown are bluegill at the top left, with white to the right. Then clear smoke/-gunmetal and blue .015 glitter, the green chartreuse is X2 chartreuse with a few drops of X2 fluorescent green, and  the purple is X2 purple with a drop or so of X2 Florida grape toughed off with purple and blue .015 glitter. My buddy and I use the same colors in this bait pretty much so I did another pile just like this for myself.

Tuesday and Weds are supposed to go right down the toilet weather-wise....heavy snow may be on its way they say so the time in the garage today has been nice. Now that I've had a snack I'm out bound again!

[Steve J]

Newbie here. Looking thru Do-it catalog couldn't find the mold you used for these 2 jig sizes.
Could you enlighten?

[ctom]

Steve....this is the mold I used for casting today's 1/32 heads...http://store.do-itmolds.com/Round-Head-JigbrPRO-101brSz-132brHk-570-or-575brCollar-None_p_509.html and this is the mold I use to make the 1/64 heads mentioned....http://store.do-itmolds.com/Round-Head-JigbrSemi-CustombrSz-164brHk-570-or-575brCollar-None_p_531.html.

[Steve J]

I thank you, as does Do-it

[WALLEYE WACKER]

Great bait's TOM real fish catcher's there.

[Fatman]

Nice as always Tom!!  You get a chance to try the Super Sparkle yet??

[Muskygary]

What's super sparkle and who sells it? (Not trying to change topic.)

[ctom]

Nice as always Tom!!  You get a chance to try the Super Sparkle yet??

Not yet Doug. With the temps in the garage "just" allowing some work its still not the best of conditions. I opened the package up and took a peek at the product. That had my fingers coated and on my shirt and jeans and I didn't even touch the stuff! I'm waiting until its w little warmer so I don't have to be so careful handling the powder. Cold hands don't always work in one's favor.

Gary....the super sparkle is a powdered product similar to pearl or hi lite powder but maybe just a pinch coarser. Its very similar to a high energy silver glitter but its not a true glitter....I don't think anyway. I want to try it in a clear belly color that I have been making using fire-opal micro glitter. Maybe alone or in combination this powder I feel will do the job I want. I like an almost clear plastic that has some material in it to bounce color without the plastic looking like a pearl. Pearl stops light and I want to have light move thru the plastic of the belly like small minnows. You know me and transparent. lol 

[Muskygary]

Looking forward to your findings Tom!

[ctom]

Gary....I've seen jigs that Doug has powder coated using this in powder paint and its something else. Pretty cool here again so I'll be waiting to play until we get some more heat.

[Fatman]

I told ya it would do that!!!!!!!!  

Gary it is really nice stuff but don't breath hard - it can be mixed into plain or colored powder paint.  Here's one

[Muskygary]

Very nice!