cadman

x2

mbassin, I pour all year long, and you need good ventilation more than anything along with eye, face, hand and leg protection. Another words do not pour with a short sleeve shirt, shorts and sandals. Lead is extremely hot and if you get burned, well it isn't pretty. Be very careful and pay attention to what you are doing. Do not have any kids, pets or anyone around you to distract you. Finally do not eat, smoke or drink any kind of liquid when pouring. Lead contamination is usually induced via mouth. Other than that it is safe. I'm not trying to scare you but you need to put all of your concentration on what you are doing so nothing tragic happens. If you want to PM me your e-mail, I will send you some tutorials on lead pouring, painting jigs and so on. As far as getting lead, you can buy it in bulk from Roto- Metals, or you can get it from a plumber, use wheel weights from a tire store, scrap yard, or anyone else that will give it to you free. Be very careful about lead pipes that were used for water or diver weights that have been submerged in water. Water and lead do not mix and will explode if you don't take pre-caution. Fumes are not toxic. The only thing that becomes toxic is if you boil the lead and you start inhaling the vapors, however the melting pots will not get that high to boil the lead.

Cool idea and yes great craftsmanship

Natural colors on cranks to me are black top, pearl/silver or pearl mid-section and white on the bottom with maybe some orange.

I keep all the craws that have one claw and repair them when I get home from other damaged craws. I only fish craws with two claws.

I use 1/8 oz jigs with a trailer and get a lot of big bass over 4 lbs. Food is food they'll eat it for sure.

I use blk/blu, blk/red, green pumpkin and brown and orange. Can't go wrong with these colors. Start out with these and let the fish tell you the rest.

Snootie or Poison Tail.

I make my own jigs and have put rattles on. I don't see a difference with the rattles. Now I don't use rattles at all and I still catch plenty of fish.

I use Netbait paca chunks and craws only. Tried Rage Tail and they don't last as long as Net bait. I'll keep my Net bait Thank You. For those of you that don't want your Netbait chunks and craws, you can send them all to me. LOL

Nicely done.

Rage Tail or a chunk

Jig and a craw trailer

Here are my bluegill colors jig and trailer. Works everytime.

Gall, You are correct. I tried getting molds from Hilts as well, and they are of no use. The company was sold several years ago, and the new company doesn't make many things on their website. They really should take that site down. Your only hope of getting those is either having someone pour you some or trying to find the mold on E-bay. Good Luck.

I usually lose them before they get worn out as well. As far as wire goes to tie skirts, lots of guys use copper wire or you can get the wire from a craft store or Hobby lobby. If you want to tie with thread you can do that as well. Get some Coats and Clark upholstery thread. It will never break when you tie with that.

2 to 2-1/2. I like a fuller skirt which makes for a slower fall or like skeeterman said if the color is complicated than you have to balance it out.

Like others, on the Gami's and Owners I never sharpen them. On jig hooks that get dull I will sharpen. However that is rare because I will usually lose a jig before that time.

I'm from around Gurnee, IL northern part of IL. Been fishing a lot of S.E Wisconsin Lakes, Phenominal fishing this year. Best ever.

I paint my blades on my spinnerbait, as I believe it helps. The concave side is painted the convex side is the original color of the plating. If you are going to powder paint your blades, then definitely clear coat them, as they will last longer that way.

Hookset Don and SouthTexasbassin: I am glad to be of some help to both of you. It is nice to have the internet this day and age, as this way we can all help each other with any kind of questions or problems we encounter in our quest to make jigs. Good luck and post pics of your creations. If you have more questions just post on this site or you can always e-mail me. There are many talented guys on this site that I'm sure will help out. RyneB: I don't know if that is a good thing or not. On the first comment at least your wife knows where you are at and you stay out of trouble. On your second comment, I can't comment on that. LOL. All in all, I have always enjoyed helping guys out with info on how to create their own jigs. There is no magic or secret formula. All it takes is time and patience.

Yes Powers, Brown, Little Muskego, Como, Pewaukee, Oakauchee are all fabulous lakes and they all produce nice fish. I just had a tourney on Brown. Fishing is tough there with a 16" min, but on the tourney I got big bass. It was 3.65lbs and took 3rd place with only two fish. Tough day on the lake. Lot of excellent lakes to fish in S.E Wisconsin.

Yes you are correct, not many places to rent a boat anymore. Also Delavan is less crowded than Lake Geneva. I sent you a PM

Congrats on your fish. I spend many weekends on Lake Delavan. It's either Delavan or Lake Geneva. Both are phenominal fisheries, that easily push 6lbers regularly. For you guys that don't live up north a 5-6 lb largemouth is big in our waters. Also Lake Delavan has an 18" minimun size with only 1 fish daily limit. I guess they are try to preserve this fishery.

There are a million possibilities. Is the lead hard or soft? Are you doing cold pours first? Is the mold hot? Use mold release. Are you pouring with a pot , hot pot or a ladle? Is the air trapping the lead from flowing? Add vent Lines Crack the mold to see if that helps. Tilt the mold left to right, top to bottom to see if that helps. This is just a start, if you would like more help PM me and we can discuss further.