the crab

Thanks for the kind words guys. I too like the MB843 blank, that's what my first build was on and I love it. Incredibly light weight. I have a SJ842 on order so hopefully I'll get to make the rod I intended to make in the first place shortly.

looks great

Hello all. I really enjoy checking out the fine work you guys do. Thought I'd share what I've been working on recently. This is my second attempt at a complete build and I've learned a lot from the board throughout this process. This is built on an MHX SJ843 blank. I bought this to build a spinning rod for shaky heads, but I found it to be a little more powerful than I'd like. So I decided to build it as a casting rod for heaver shaky heads and finesse jigs. Opinions and advice welcome.

I am trying to locate the exact hook that comes in an 1/8oz spot remover jig head. Through researching I've seen it referred to as a 3/0 mustad, but the 3/0 mustads I have are about a quarter inch longer shank, thicker wire, and the span between the 90 degree bend and the eye is shorter. I have seen mustad's short shank version but I can only find it in bronze, while the spot remover hooks are black nickel. Any help identifying this hook would be GREATLY appreciated.

Sure! I'm always accepting donations.

Looks awesome, keep it up.

You should make a pink one with garlic just so you can name it "stinky pinky".

I don't think most people who pour plastic for personal use do it to save money. I don't pour it myself but I do pour lead and must say that it will probably take 3 years or more worth of broken off jigs to balance out the initial cost of the tools and materials. That being said, the fun I've had making baits and catching fish on my own creations has made it well worth the investment.

They have to get a pretty thorough cleaning after each use to keep from gunking up. It can be a real PITA, especially if only painting one bait, but there's really no way around it if you want it to function properly.

If you plan on tying the skirt then definitely wait. Gluing in the weedguard is the last thing I do. If you're using the skirt collars it probably doesn't matter as much. Either way you go you'll still want to have the head painted first.

How big of a groove are you talking? All the way down to the hook? Do you have a pic of a head after the groove is cut but before the skirt is added? I really like how the jig in your sig pic turned out, nice job.

I like flex coat lite build myself. You can brush it on but the rod will need to be rotated while drying.

Yes, but you'll need to buy the proper fittings.

It was an old BPS rod that I picked up for around $30. It didn't have a model name on it but it did say "IM8". It was terribly tip heavy before. I used to have about 3 ounces of weight attached to the back of it, now it balances nicely with no additional weight.

I use locktite super glue gel. You don't get the white residue like with regular super glue and it seems to hold nicely. I really like the applicator also. It's the only super glue I've ever used that is still usable after the first couple times. I haven't had a weedguard come out yet, but I've only made 60 or so.

I've seen a few similar split grip conversion post and figured I would share mine. It was done, like the others, with channel lock pliers, sandpaper, dremel tool, and an emory board. Here's what it looked like before. Big, clunky, gold colored double foot guides all the way to the tip. After

There was a guy posting pics a while back of cranks he did with krylon x-metals paint that came out really nice.

+1 on Jann's. They cost a little more than Barlow's on some things, but they ship super fast, and the website is MUCH easier to navigate.

Nice work. Won't one of you guys point me in the direction of that decal paper too? Thanks.

That's a truly incredible looking bait. Great job man. What did you make the tail and fins out of?

I just drill out the excess paint after powder painting. I only make jigs for my own use, maybe just a dozen at a time, so it's not really an issue.

X2, it's much easier without the weedguard in place, especially if you tie rather than use the rubber collars. I use a single drop of locktite gel super glue to secure the weedguard.

Great looking bait.

Get yourself some dental brushed designed for cleaning around braces. They work great for getting in the tight spots. I also take the needle out and use a regular craft style pipe cleaner to clean the needle tube.

They look awesome, especially the lipless baits.