M-D

Love the old Mitchells! When I was a youngster I graduated from a zebco to the Mitchell. Still have a couple of them in the basement...330 or 440 I think, autobails.

Nice, I like it!! Thanks for sharing the tip.

Check out the Rumble fish by Strikezone Lures. http://www.strikezonelure.com/rumblefish.htm

In my youth I learned to operate a baitcaster by switching. When I got out of the military and a fairly long absence from fishing, I decided to quit the switching habit. My biggest reason was to be ready for a instant hookset as soon as the lure hit the water. The only advantage I can see to switching is to give your arm a break. My right arm gets tired sometimes during a long day on the water depending on the type of fishing I'm doing. I do still use a right hand reel when carolina rigging so I guess you could say I do both.

Love me some ring frys on a c-rig!

It's always good to know you have good water pressure. The guage becomes especially valuable if you have a jack plate on your boat, depending on the setup a jack plate could run the motor water pickup out of the water resulting in no water and an overheated motor.

Yes, 20 LB Big game is a good choice.

I have both the heat gun and toaster oven. I bought a thermostat to place inside the oven to ensure proper cure temp too. Its going to be a scorcher this weekend, think I will stay off the lake and play with my new jig making supplies...hope to have some pics to share soon.

^^This^^ pretty well sums it up for me too.

Thanks for the details! I feel silly that I didn't realize it was a Turkey theme...well done! Do you have to "seal" the Hackberry? Does the Hackberry have similar characteristics as cork? It is a beautiful wood. Love the thin black rings, adds a nice touch to that beautiful wood. I have several rods sitting around and that is a great idea...think I will do just that. Should I get new guides or just reinstall the old ones for practice? I need to build my wrapper 1st though, I want to make a nice one maybe from Oak.

Looks awesome!! Obviously a bird hunting theme, what bird? What is a super glue finish? What makes the very slim dark rings in the handle and what is Spalted Hackberry? Is it a form of cork? I'm just getting started with lure building and no funds for rod building right now but I will be jumping into rod building this winter. Hope you don't mind the questions!

Thanks Mumpy. I forgot about having to clean up the casting marks and sprue.

I am new to the jig making process, have all the goods on the way this week to start making them. Last night I was going through the process of painting in my mind and got to wondering if it is possible to pour a jig and then right afterwards while the lead is still hot dip it in the powder paint? Will this work properly or should I stick to doing the paint in a separate process afterwards?

Thanks for all that you did, RIP Homer!

My first point would be something like... anyone can catch bowfin with cut bait but it takes real skill to catch bass with artificial baits.

Well if this is the future look of rods I will be investing in the equipment to make my own rods... I have been looking for a good reason to do so anyway. I have one split grip rod and it's just not for me, much prefer the feel and look of the traditional long cork handles.

6'-6" and 7' is my preferred length. If I am short casting a spinnerbait at brush, willows and such I like a 6' as it much easier to make pinpoint casts.

I like to use a crank that really digs in and bounces around and especially if a mud line develops due to wind / boat traffic.

I have had some problems recently with their jigs...in fact it has prompted me to start making my own.

I too keep them in the original bags and stored by types in gallon zip lock bags.

Thanks for posting Dink!

Oh and a great topic Glenn!! Jigs are one of my favs to fish but keeping the trailer positioned properly and not fouling the hook has always been a PITA! I sometimes use super / fishin glue after the trailer is worn to the point of not staying in place. I recently bought some Mendit and plan to try and renew the trailer. Looking forward to hearing about everyone's methods!

Can you post a photo of your jig with the trailer keeper?

I recently tried on a pair of Solar Bats, the Sensor frame with Mossback lenses. Gotta get me a pair of those.

I would get both. I use the lightest I can but if its windy you may need to step up the weight. I would get 2 packs of each.