Jig makers: benefits of pouring?

[Manifestgtr]

I’ve been tying my own jigs for a while but never pulled the trigger on a pot/mold setup. Aside from the “front to back”artistry, is there any other benefit to pouring your own heads? I’m already in the ~$2 range per jig so I can’t imagine it making an enormous difference in that dept. 

[Jig Man]

For me it is having them the way I want them not having some company decide for me.  
 

There won’t be a cost savings for a while when you factor in the lead pot and any molds.  Mine have been depreciated out for a long time.  Now my costs are pretty low.  I buy hooks by the 1000 count and skirts by the 100.  I usually have less than $.20 in a hook and $.40 in skirt material.  Factor in paint, wire and electricity you might add another $.05.  So I don’t think I have more than $.65 in my most expensive jig.

 

I have only figured startup costs on one item and that was when I decided to make my own tubes.  I had to buy plastisol, colorant, glitter, molds and injectors.  When I shot my first tube I had $300 in it so I had to make a bunch to get the cost per item down to a reasonable price.

 

Making baits and fishing are about all that I do.

[smalljaw67]

I like the fact I can use the size and brand hook I want. I often modify my molds to use larger hooks or use reducer pins in order to use smaller weed guards.  Depending on how many jigs you go through it normally takes 3 years or so before you see any monetary savings. Once you do your fishing will improve because you won't think twice about throwing a jig into nasty cover as you won't lose as much.

[Jigfishn10]

10 hours ago, Manifestgtr said:

I’ve been tying my own jigs for a while but never pulled the trigger on a pot/mold setup. Aside from the “front to back”artistry, is there any other benefit to pouring your own heads? I’m already in the ~$2 range per jig so I can’t imagine it making an enormous difference in that dept. 

I used to pour jigs until MA banned lead jigs and sinkers. Was using bismouth, but it really didn't pour well for me. I sold my mold and supplies and now just by the raw jig heads and paint and tie my own. 

 

I buy my jigs from a guy who provides excellent service and can give me options on hooks that fit the jig mold at a reasonable price. 

 

Not sure I'll go back to pouring lead.

[cadman]

Like mentioned above. If you are going to make 25 to 50 jigs a year, buy your raw jigs and don't bother pouring. If you want to customize your jigs and tinker then start with one mold maybe some different size hooks and so on. There is really no savings unless you pour a lot for several years. With the cost of molds, lead pots and all supplies going up, it can get expensive very quickly.

[Manifestgtr]

On 8/15/2022 at 6:07 AM, Jig Man said:

When I shot my first tube I had $300 in it 

Now that’s a luxury tube ?

[Munkin]

Benefits to me is making baits exactly like I want. You have to use a lot of jigs to recoup initial costs. 

 

Allen 

[Bdnoble84]

On 8/16/2022 at 2:24 PM, Munkin said:

Benefits to me is making baits exactly like I want. You have to use a lot of jigs to recoup initial costs. 

 

Allen 

But once you go a few years, you will stop buying jigs. I havent bought a jig from store in years. I figure with the price of hire end jigs and my disdain for bronze hooks, its easy to justify buying a mold for $40-$50. Then i have what i want.

[WRB]

Back in 1971 designed my jig to stand up and go through rocky structure without hanging up. The only bass jigs available back then were Ball heads, Football heads, Arkie heads and Banana heads using either Mustad or Eagle Claw jig hooks.

The mold is a single cavity 7/16* oz that I made to accommodate 5/0 hook. Most 1/2 jigs at that time used 3/0 hooks.

Every year I pour 100 jigs because that is the quantity of hooks from Barlow’s. I change from Mustad to Gamakatsu about 1990, they cost $45/100.

I use a Lee pot and buy lead locally. Paint is Testors model enamel in a half a dozen colors. Skirts are buck tail hair in 5 colors. Silicone skirt tabs I get from Barlow’s when buying hooks. 

To date made about 5,000 jigs with a single cavity mold that no one on earth has like it.

Today I would buy plain jigs with whatever hook I want from Siebert Outdoors because lots of head shape choices the Siebert keeps up to date with. I can’t see any reason to buy molds, pot, lead, paint, skirts, weed guards etc, unless you love it as a hobby.

I always bought, heavier jigs or lighter finesse jigs, dart heads etc.

Tom

* targeted 1/2 oz. 

 

[Munkin]

5 hours ago, Bdnoble84 said:

But once you go a few years, you will stop buying jigs. I havent bought a jig from store in years. I figure with the price of hire end jigs and my disdain for bronze hooks, its easy to justify buying a mold for $40-$50. Then i have what i want.

 

The way I got into pouring is I couldn't find Eakins finesse jigs in green pumpkin.  BPS was always out of them so someone explained to me how to make them myself.  Bought the Do-It mold and the hotpot ladle melter for like $50. That mold paid for itself at least 10 years ago. Now I have a couple more molds and some better equipment to work with. Luremaking is a hobby just like fishing. 

 

Allen 

[Glenn]

Worth a read...

 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/pour-lead-jigs.html

 

[Munkin]

On 8/15/2022 at 6:07 AM, Jig Man said:

 When I shot my first tube I had $300 in it so I had to make a bunch to get the cost per item down to a reasonable price.

 

Using this logic, I have two $3500 Ned heads in my garage. Couple of hours to make the mold and only two poured. I was not happy at first but once I learned how to make molds things got a lot better.

 

Allen