I make things all year, but with the colder weather & rains, I’ve been working on more types & variety. Here’s some of my latest!
Black Hair Jig
Buzzbaits
Bass Jigs
I make things all year, but with the colder weather & rains, I’ve been working on more types & variety. Here’s some of my latest!
Black Hair Jig
Buzzbaits
Bass Jigs
More, Spinnerbaits.
Bass Flies
Nice work Big Jim! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Fred! It’s what I love to do!
They do look good no doubt! What’s up with the sixth one? The bard appears to be on the outside of the hook. I don’t think I’ve seen one like that before. I can see where it would work in similar fashion. Just curious if there is a specific purpose to the design or something?
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
Stump, you can stretch a rubber band to the barb and make it weedless. Not that this particular jig needs it, but that is the usual purpose for that barb
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
I bought a bunch of those hooks from an Ebay seller several years back. Not sure who made them, believe they may have been made by VMC since they had a series of similar hooks with that outbarb design. However, they’re also coated with teflon, and Eagle Claw made some for awhile that had that type of coating. Both companies have made hooks for various lure makers, so very possible those hooks may have been a special order.
I’ll experiment with anything, and frankly have no issue with those hooks. I got them at a good price, they’re sharp, and they hold up well. As far as the design, I like that outbarb, feel they do just as good as hooks with the inside barb, and I’ve not seen any evidence it causes any problems. In fact, they may even get thrown less, but I have no real proof of that, just a gut feeling based on fishing them. I’ve mashed down the barbs on most hooks that I use anyway, been doing that for many years. Can’t say I’ve lost too many fish because of it. I don’t fish tournaments, so even if I do lose one, not a big deal to me. I’ve made some jigs with barbless Trokar hooks. Haven’t used them yet, but have no issue with using a barbless or debarbed hook.
The problem with those outbarb hooks is folks perception, and yes, they can be made weedless with a rubber band, but that barb is sharp, so my guess the rubber band wouldn’t last long. I haven’t tried it. Megabass was putting an outbarb treble on many of their lures for awhile, and now they’ve gone back to a regular treble design. My guess is the outbarb hurt sales, just because folks are hard to get on board with new designs and changes. I’ve not seen any negative to using those hooks with the outbarb design. I’ve used those outbarb trebles, and know some others who really like them, but like anything else in fishing, everyone has an opinion, and there are likes & dislikes.
I’ve been selling some lures, and have given away some to friends. No one that has been using jigs with that hook have had any complaints, but most anyone that I’ve sold
Cool, thanks for the info!
Fishing Nerd
“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”
You’re welcome! I don’t know how many of you guys fly fish, the Clouser Minnow style flies are around 4" long, tied on Tiemco stainless hooks, and the Deceivers are all tied on 3/0 Owner plastic worm hooks and are about 6" long. I even added a wire weed guard to one of them, because of the stumps in the lake. As I said, I’ll try anything.
The Clousers started as an experiment too. I had seen some tied completely with Polar Flash, so gave it a try. IMO, it’s too flimsy and the material fouls around the hook a lot when casting, so I added some bucktail and reduced the fouling a great deal. I like the Polar Flash material, but it’s not a stand alone material.
I really enjoy making this stuff and very much appreciate the comments!
I’m sure the flies will catch fish, I just have to get out & do it!
I’m sorry I forgot to add that the lures look great Jim! It must be rewarding to catch fish on them knowing you made them.
Those flies will smack the trout this time of year too
1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye
Optiker, thank you sir! It is very rewarding! I’m sure you know that, from the jigs you make!
When I moved here I should have moved closer to the coast, but wanted to be where I could fish in some good waters for both bass, Stripers and the coastal species. I haven’t fished the coast in a few years. I need to take some time & do that. Some trout would be fun!
I also haven’t caught a Striper since moving here, so maybe the flies will change my luck!