This winter, I am going to start making my own jigs.  In searches through the forums and across the internet, there are so many choices of tools and methods that I have become sort of confused and indecisive about what to buy.

What are your suggestions for tools and materials?

I have several sites bookmarked and an order almost ready for both tools and materials.  I do plan in the future to start pouring my own jigheads and trailers, but figured starting with painting and skirts to be the easiest route to take at first.

What is the easiest path to take when getting into custom lures?  I don't want to get started in something that will give to much frustration before it ever hits the water  ;D

Thanks folks for the suggestions!

If you are uncomfortable with any of the suggestions that will be coming, PM GMAN,...he has this stuff down cold.  

If you are uncomfortable with any of the suggestions that will be coming, PM GMAN,...he has this stuff down cold.

x2  In my opinion, Gman is pouring jigs that could compete with any jig on the market.  His work is flawless and he knows his stuff.

Thanks guys.  Munkin and Harshman are great jig pourers too.  I'm sure theres more of us on here.

pouring jigs is very simple to do. Just make sure you follow all the safety precautions.

What I use is a propot IV by Lee. It holds approx 20lbs of lead. It is the way to go. I dont like top pours because the crap in the lead floats and gives you bad pours.

Other things you need

Pliers

hooks

mold

pins for weedless jigs(come with mold)

Thats it for the pouring part

Painting. Make yourself a home made fluid bed if your looking for a nice finish. It cost about 15-20. Harshman has a thread on here about it. All I use is powder paint. You can go as fancy as you want to but I keep it simple most of the time.

Epoxy the weedguard in after you paint and cure it. Best way I've found. PS buy extra pins for this.

Skirts

Fishingskirts.com is the place to go. Enough said on that one. Most skirts use 2-3 tabs of material.

I use a skirt Plier for the making of the skirt with a band.

Its pretty simple and basic. Just make sure you read all the instructions and please follow them. Lead melts at 700+ degrees.

I've got an article on a forum on how to pour lead heads.

GMAN hit it righ ton the nose for what you need to get started. The only thing I would add is start small and get creative with your color patterns.It also doesn't have a second job to finance the hobby ;D ;D  Tackle making is very addicting and will drain your bank account.

I second the fishingskirts.com for a source to get skirting material .His selection is huge.

Once you pour and mess up a few you will learn very quickly what to do the next ones to make them right.

And always follow the saftey procedures no matter what, even if you find it faster and easier not to follow the rules. You are dealing with a substance that can severly burn you during pouring as well as make you very ill after handleing if your body doesn't like high lead levels. Not to try and scare you because jig making is very rewardingespically after you land that lunker on your own jig.

Happy pouring and if you run into any trouble let us know we are always happy to help lure people to the darkside of the taclke making addiction.

Harshman

Great Information!!!

Thanks and bassresource comes through again!  

I know that starting this is going to bring the bait monkey on hard.  Got a room ready for him in the basement.

Still new to the idea of making my own baits, so I am sure I will be back again to ask some questions.

Thanks Again!!