LIP GRIPPER LEAD—IT’S WHAT’S
FOR DINNER. PHOTO: JEFF LITTLE
Supplies 1- to 1.5-ounce jighead molds
[SCHOOLE D]
GET AHEAD! W
LEARN TO MAKE LEAD-HEAD JIGS AT HOME BY JEFF LITTLE
e’ve all been there. Bouncing a lead-head jig along the bottom when it suddenly becomes snagged in the structure. Despite jerking, shaking, pulling and praying to free the lure, the line snaps and the jig is lost. Not only does it cost time and effort to replace a lost jig, it costs money, too. But it doesn’t have to cost a trip to the tackle shop. I make my own jigheads at home—and you can, too. Before getting started, make sure that the hooks you plan to use will fit in the mold. If not, modify the mold with a Dremel tool until it accepts the hooks. Place the hooks in the mold and close it tightly.
Add lead ingots to the smelting pot before turning on the heat. Smelting pots come in two styles: dip out pots, which are cheaper and smaller but require a ladle to transfer the lead from the pot to the mold, and bottom-pouring pots that have a spout that pours lead directly from the pot into the mold.
42…KAYAK ANGLER
Pour the molten lead into the mold until it fills the spout. After the lead in the spout hardens, open the mold and dump out the jigs. Remove any tag-ends with side cutting piers and use a small hammer to pound rough edges flat. Don’t grind or file lead; the dust is poisonous. To apply powder paint, hold the jig by the eye with a pair of needle nose pliers. Then heat up the lead with a butane torch or a heat gun before dipping the head into the powder paint. After a couple seconds, remove the jig and the powder will adhere to the lead. To cure the paint, place the jighead in a toaster oven and heat on the highest setting for 10 minutes. Remove jigheads from the oven and hang on a rack to cool. When the jigheads are cool to the touch, apply adhesive eyes and dip in UV Blast seal coat to seal the paint and eyes.
DIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch Jeff Little pour lead jigs.
6/0 Mustad black nickel 90-degree jig hooks
5 one-pound lead ingots
Glow-in-the-dark powder paint
3-D adhesive eyes UV Blast seal coat
Molds and smelting equipment available at
www.do-itmolds.com.
Lead ingots can be purchased from
www.rotometals.com.
Safety Notes
Always wash your hands after coming in contact with lead. Keep the lead from splattering where it could burn or blind you. Always wear safety goggles and protective gloves and work in a well-ventilated area.
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