Making Spinner Jigs

[bignose]

I have documented the steps that I go through to create my Spinner Jigs

It will be presented in 3 parts: Casting, Painting, Finishing

I apologize about the sideways pictures, but the computer and I were not getting along this morning!

I use a Do-it Mold #3288. It requires a special hook and wire form. I have a Lee Production pot to melt the lead

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It takes me about 2 hours to pour and cast 100 lures. The sprues are trimmed off and remelted.

[bignose]

Part 2 Painting

Due to the wire form, I use a brush-on vinyl paint. Like with the casting, lots of ventilation is required.
It takes several coats.
First a base cot of white, then a color coat.
Afterwards, the eyes, done by hand, each one requires 2 dots of paint.
Painting takes a couple of hours over a several day period.

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[bignose]

Part 3 Tying, and assembly

I have a fly tying background and occasionally get creative with my designs, a combination of experimentation and adult ADD.
I use at least 3 colors and textures of materials per lure, a concept that I borrowed from Joe Bruce.

After I wrap the threads, the heads get a coat of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails as a gloss coat.

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Yep, it takes all of these steps to produce a bignose spinner jig!

[Mark]

Stu,

Very nice post.

You do quality work.

[bignose]

Thanks, Mark.
Just trying to take what I know and can do to "pay it forward."

[Mark]

Jig spinners are amazing lures. They look like nothing that swims in nature and yet they catch multiple species of fish. I caught even a snapping turtle on one -- in the mouth, not snagged! They continue to catch fish long after their paint is chipped, their blades are nicked and the trailing material we so carefully added has been chewed off. I tie on new ones out of pride, not because the well worn ones have stopped working.

Your post has inspired me. Cooler weather is a good time to pour lead and paint jigheads in my garage. I'll dress and assemble them during the winter indoors.

[J.A. Veil]

Thanks for sharing this. I admire those guys who have the skill and are artistic enough to do this well. Your spinners work great for me.

[DanMarino]

Thanks for taking the time to document your manufacturing process Stu. Jig spinners are a go to lure for me when I feel like catching fish and don't know exactly what to use or how to target them.

[ronaultmtd]

Every successful lure ever made started out as a hand made creation...congratulations Stu...yours have a reputation of quality and effectiveness from experienced kayak anglers. Hats off to all the lure makers- the innovators!

[ronaultmtd]

I have given Stu's big nose lures a good trail...my impression-pickerel love them...St. Mary's lake ones...White Perch too...

[bignose]

I'm glad that you are putting them to good use!

Tight lines!

Stu