Munkin

Arky or a ball head are overall the most versatile IMO to start with. As for colors the best advice ever was given to me by an old timer when I was in Missouri for training in the Army. His advice was to fish jigs in the same color as soft plastics that work for you. While as simple as can be that was a game changer for me with jig fishing. After taking his advice I caught more fish in one trip than I had in the previous 8 years of fishing jigs. Allen

When I use bluegill colored swim jigs on the Lower Potomac I have to hold the rod really tight. Average blue cat I catch on a swim jig is about 10-15lbs and they hit like they are stealing something. Allen

It is like 4 Circuses and 5 Carnivals all happening at the same time. Yes the river is big but it is the birthplace of the bent pole pattern. If others see you catch a fish you will soon have company. I was catching them good on a rattle trap once and a boat came so close I almost snagged one of the guys on a backcast. Allen

Grew up watching BassMasters on TNN and the Fishing Hole. While I disliked how many times Mcinnis said "Many" on his show it was still good. Jimmy Houston with his spinnerbaits and Rick Clunn were my favorites overall to watch. I must of spent every dime I had as a young teenager on Strike King spinnerbaits and Poes RC baits because they worked on the shows I watched. Allen

Made 10 each but some of the heads are still drying. Allen

Don't bend back the hook in the same spot as it will really weaken it. Bend like the hooks in the pic above as it works without stressing the same spot on the hook. Allen

eBay

Look at some of the JDM baits as they have some different blades. Allen

Picked up some different blades to play around with. Allen

Working on some sunfish colored baits myself. Allen

What are you using now? If it is working just stick with what works. For most applications I am not a fan of bronze hooks. Allen

Cast Industries Allen

Anything will work that can heat the plastic to like 350 degrees but like others have said an old microwave is easy. Start with 1 minute then use 30 second intervals until you get good pours. Allen

Heat will cause hard plastic baits to expand and split. I try not to keep mine in extreme temperatures. Allen

Good, make me a multi cavity Jackal 4.8" Flick Shake mold with individual injection ports for each piece. I don't plan on selling them but I REALLY could use a couple custom colored Flick Shakes. Allen

Since I started this I guess I should chime in. I have done these in the past and here is what has worked the best. 1. Set an approximate value for the lures of say $10. So if I am sending out jigs I will need to send 2 for each person but someone painting cranks should send 1. This does not mean I think a custom crank or jig is worth more or less it is just an approximate. 2. Someone needs to be in charge of the exchange (Not me or you may never get anything). What I mean by this is instead of 12 people sending 11 different packages out they all go to one person. That person then puts the baits for each person in a Flat Rate box and mails them out. Everyone should send like $7 for the cost of return shipping or whatever the going rate is? This is cheaper and more logical than the shipping free for all. 3. The lures you send should be something that works for you. This exercise is for other lure makers to see your work and try out something new that works for another angler. I am not sure what jigs I plan on sending yet but they will not be something you can buy on TW. An example of this is some of those bladed swimjigs Bluebasser keeps posting that are a color I would have never though of trying. Post your thoughts with any input you may have. Allen

The flippers tick me off as well! I had someone give me a story about how something was their fathers favorite so I sent one for the cost of shipping. Now I knew what the going rate was on ebay but hey I was helping out an elderly fisherman. A few days latter the bait appeared on ebay with like a $75 starting bid by someone with the same username. Allen

Problem is coming up with hooks big enough. Allen

New swim jigheads arrived from Cast yesterday. Not happy with how the color turned out on the sunfish one otherwise they are great. Put a few skirts on just to see what they would look like. The GP jig is one of the finesse ones I make I just wanted to show how small it is compared to a normal jig. Allen

Can you PM me the info. Allen

My favorite as well but they do not make them anymore. Allen

Agreed, I use whatever brand based on what I need at the time. Lately it has been swamp crawlers and kut tails. Allen

They are the most versatile IMO Allen

Website is not in your post. Allen

Does the law apply to things like jigheads or just sinkers? I live in a socialist state myself but we haven't outlawed lead weights yet. Allen