Pouring and casting lead fishing lures

[dtrs5kprs]

22 minutes ago, rFisherk said:

Never really like doing it, but back when I was guiding crappie fishermen on Kentucky Lake, I'd go through a few hundred Road Runners a season, so for financial reason, I molded my own horse-head jigs with a Do-It mold. Beyond the considerable financial advantage, I was able to use gold hooks more appropriate for crappie fishing than those used commercially. These gold hooks straightened out easier, so I didn't loose as many.

Lot said right there. To me there are only three reasons to roll your own. Cheaper, better, or you are just sick enough to enjoy it.

[Foghorn]

Before I retired from the railroad, I could buy the jig heads in a wide range of sizes at a place called "the Crappie Shack" in Dexter. Think that was the name as they closed down before I quit working South. They sold 100 packs for $9-10 and then I just had to paint them. Liked the style and hook they used so it worked out fine. Was about as easy paying that as buying the hooks for $5-6 a hundred and sitting a couple hours pouring hot lead.

[Old plug]

I got to strongly second that Dave.  You may not noticed in the proir photo I posted, I believe though those castings are a good example Of what your talking about.  The hook is  a O' Shaunsey  0/4  tinned hook molded on a 1/2 oz jig.  I had to take a  Dremel tool to the mold to make it fit. I had specific reasons. I like hair jigs, I do not use weed guards, so I ruled out wide gap right away. I wanted something that still gave a pretty good exposure to the narrower gap. So I selected a long shank hooks. I do not like to pay the over inflated prices they want for most jig hooks. These cost me $11 for 100, and will last me years. I like plate hooks to use when I can get them. I do like rusty hooks.

I do not carry many jigs only a few including spares in natural color. Matter of fact they all ar about the same because .i have confidence in it Below is a finished jig biult to my specification. That alone makes building jigs more stisfying

 

[dtrs5kprs]

That's a great color. Hair jigs are about as expensive as swimbaits anymore. No reason not to tie them if you can.