cadman

I put in a 5/0 hook in the 1/2 oz cavity and it fit in mine. However, my mold is used and has over 1000 pours, so it is very used. I do believe that the hook will fit, but I can't guarantee it as every mold is slightly different and since you will have a new mold, it may be very tight. However you can make it work.

That mold has a 1/2, 3/4 and 1 oz cavities. The hook size that will fit those cavities are as follows 1/2 oz :3/0 and 4/0 3/4 oz : 4/0 and 5/0 1 oz : 4/0 and 5/0 These hook sizes are for #2886 and L3886 hooks.

Mustad 32886 and the EC equivalent L3886. The L2724BP is a thinner hook than the other 2 listed. These are round bend hooks. Which cavity (s) are you inquiring about? If you let me know, I can tell you what hook size fits in there when I get home. Also I have a Gami which will fit in there as well. Gamis not sold in store.

Job well done.

Augie, There is a lot of good info here from a lot of knowledgeable guys. Get as much info as you can and ask questions. This will save you a lot of trial and error. I have over 125 molds, and have done a lot of different jig designs with different hooks. Everything is do-able and is limited only to your imagination. I also have tutorials on how to paint, pour and tie jigs. If you want more help PM me and I can help get you started.

Yes curing is the key. The reason you never had jigs that last, is because you bought store bought jigs, and they were either powder painted without curing or lacquer painted. Once you start painting your own, you will never buy store bought jigs. Yes, I cure my jig in a toaster oven. The process of painting one color jigs is not complicated. Fluid bed or dipping is the quickest. When you get to 6 color jigs like in my avatar, that is a different story. But everything is doable if you know what steps to follow.

Yes I do use D2T over a properly cured jig. It does make the paint last longer. However for myself I rarely do i,t only for the 3D eyes, because I lose too many jigs, and I find using a clearcoat for me is a waste of time. I will tell you that once you clear coat the jig, it will make that paint pop. It does look really cool. On the UV clearcoat epoxy, I have had adverse effects on my powder paint, and I do not like it. But that is me. I have not used the UV powder coat. I have also used a 200% Gloss clear powder over a powder paint jig with great results. However you cannot use it with 2d and 3d eyes, as the eyes melt, when you go to cure the jig second time around.

Yes you can mix any color powder paint with another color to get what you want. I mix polyester, hybrid and epoxy based powder paint with no problems. However here are some things to remember. #1 When you mix two colors together, you will never get a pure color. So if you mix blue and and yellow to get a shade of green, it will never be as good as if you had an actual green color powder made. #2. Make sure you write down your color ratios, so you can get a close match next time. Finally by mixing colors, you will always have a somewhat of a close color like your last batch. it will not be exact. So if you want consistency all the time, mixing colors should not be an option. This is your choice.

Durable is a relative term. I always clear coat my spinnerbaits, as, many times I will drag or slow roll my spinnerbaits on the bottom. The only time I would use a clearcoat for jigs, is if it had 2D or 3D eyes. The clearcoat keeps the eyes from falling off, other than that, I never use it unless requested. If you powder paint your jig and cure them properly, you will lose the jig before the paint wears off. However if you drag heavy jigs over rock and shale, then yes the powder paint will eventually start wearing away. Let's face it powder paint is not indestructible. However if you add D2T, you will only see a small rash on the bottom of the clearcaot start to occur. if you want you could add another coat over an existing one. Since I make soooo many jigs, I don't worry about paint wearing off, and honestly the fish really don't care either.

Thanks for the reply

My first choice would be D2T (Devxcon 2 Ton). It's downright good stuff when it cures with one coat coverage. The only drawback, is that if have a white jig, the clearcoat will subdue the white. My second choice would be E-tex (Envirotex light). Excellent clearcoat for white jigs. This clearcoat is runny and you will need two coats. It is also slightly softer than D2T. These are both 2 part epoxies, that must be mixed thoroughly and equally in order to get a hard clear finish.

Basic colors are blk/blue, black, brown, grn pumpkin and brn org. Then any other colors you like. It's better to create your own this way you can make what you want and customize it to the jig color and the colors you like. For skirt color, check out fishingskirts.com. They have the biggest selection, there are other places as well.

Did you also use the Trokar hook, or did you use a different hook brand?

When you are referring to making molds , are you looking to make machined aluminum molds that will last, or something out of bondo or Durham's wood putty?

I leave all my lead in the pot all year long. I never clean my pot unless I have real problems. I too clean my lead with bee's wax. Best way to do this is light the fire and then slowly mix the lead. Letting it smoke, will juist make a lot of smoke.

Depends on what you are doing with it. If you want one that goes through weeds well. Do-It Ultra Minnow mold.

Ataris take all the information above to heart. Safety is #1 issue. You must have a stable bench to pour on along with a lot of ventilation. Pouring lead must be done over a covered area. What I mean by this is, do not pour outside in the open air. If you get any water or a bug lands in your hot lead, the moisture will make the lead explode and you will get seriously burned. You must be very aware and diligent of your surroundings when you are pouring lead. Powder painting inside the house or apartment is not an issue as there really is no smell. Also like mentioned have a dedicated toaster oven only for powder painting.

As far as jigs go, you can use any hook you want in any mold that will accept them. At one point I even called Do-It mold company to ask them if I can call my jigs "Poison Tails and Snootie" and there was no problem with that either. Do-It was very accommodating. Any and all other jigs like football, ball, arky , are all generic terms. However if you feel more comfortable, it is always proper to call and ask. It is just reassurance for your own piece of mind. If you need help with making jigs feel free to e-mail me or I can call you and help you out getting started.

You are absolutely correct.

I do know there are 4 pedestal seats like you mentioned. Maybe on the newer version seats flip up, but I don't believe that would be the case on a 10 year old boat and his price range. You also are correct, that you cannot lay down a 7' rod on the deck, unless you put it between the consoles, or buy a boat that has only a driver console. The 619, 620 and 621 in the 2008 year range have all the same front deck size. The extra footage is added in the back behind the consoles, which would give you more leg room. J Francho, yes the Ranger multi-specie boats are not speed demons, but with 6 people in the boat for recreational use, I guarantee you are not going to be flying across the lake with that kind of weight. Also you can't get a family boat to hold 6 people and then expect to do 90 mph across the lake. There are a lot of trade offs here, depends on what is important to the OP and money situation.

You can also look at a Ranger 621VS. It will definitely sit 4 in the back and two in front of the windows. If I recall, my buddy doesn't have a # of persons rating card on his boat. I believe you don't need one on boats 21 foot and over in IL. It will probably have a 250 or bigger motor on it. Lot of storage room, a big livewell and a baitwell, along with a cooler. Front deck space is long enough for me. I have a 619 which is 19'6 and I can lay a 6'6 rod on the deck on an angle. My boat is rated for a max of 6 people, don't know off hand the max weight though on the ratings card. The only thing is this boat would probably have to be over 10 years old and easily be pushing 35K. Aeration, rod storage and everything else is excellent. Plenty of room as well for a tournament partner and his rods and tackle. If you add in the extended deck in the back which is removable definitely would make a good bass type boat for tourneys. I will tell you this. These boats are heavy and ride really well in rough water along with a dry ride and a safe ride. But these are not speed demons. My 619 fully loaded with gas, two people, tackle, a 9.9 kicker and a 225 Opti on the back, will max out at about 57mph on a calm day flying across the lake. So if you want speed this is not the boat.

Going out to Beulah tomorrow and to Delavan on Sunday. Will post fishing report when I get back.

1/8 and 3/16 oz custom made with a chunk trailer.

Now you have to change your PB under your avatar, job well done. Those are some nice fish.

Went to Lake Beulah yesterday. Nice day but cold and a bit breezy. Started out in a spot right before the main lake that I always catch fish and nothing. Went to the main lake and to the kids camp, got a 15-1/2" bass there. Went over to the other shore nothing. Started to fish in front of the island, a bit windy to hold the boat, got two fish on and missed both. Went to the back of the island, nice to take a break from the wind, water dead calm. Wife gets a 17-1/4" bass. Couple of casts later wife gets a 18" bass (3.3 lbs). Still fishing same area, I pick up a couple of dinks. Fish stop biting, shoot across lake to Mill Pond. First cast wife gets a 14-1/2" bass. Nothing after that. Shoot back to the island no hits at all. Run back to the dock, some guy screaming at me. Couldn't hear so I shut off motor. Apparently he got his rope wrapped around the prop. Towed him back to the dock. He was very grateful as there were no other boats on the lake. Did my good deed for the year. All in all not a great day on the water, but we did get some fish. Water temp was 57 degrees, air temp 47 degrees. Here are pics of my wife's fish.