What do you want from a jighead

[drewzim]

The first thing I look at is the hook. I want a good quality SHARP hook with a decent gape to give the point clearance from the bait. Lead is lead, 3/4 oz. is 3/4 oz. Some shapes may sink a little faster or dig in then other but I really don't know if its enough to make a difference. I typically buy the BKD heads from Alltackle since or if I HAVE TO from Anglers in a pinch. They are the best I have found so far. But like you said they can get pricey. I'm with you Francis on the paint job, think it catches more sales then fish. Could be wrong. I have some heads that Paul gave me that Mike Burgess made. Haven't used any yet but the hooks seem on the smallish side.

Doing this from my phone so can't read all the other responses but I primarily jig and here are the problems with the heads I use (I use mike burgesses and I really like them but improvements can be made)
1) shank on hook and hook in general pretty much too small. Gets lost in a 10" bkd
2) can't use them on smaller baits or they tear the plastic (above 1 oz ers)
3) eyes fall off so not real necessary

he uses a great sharp hook though. I'd be interested in whatever you can make especially if these improvements are Inc.
Mark

[Francis]

Originally Posted by Baldzilla

Doing this from my phone so can't read all the other responses but I primarily jig and here are the problems with the heads I use (I use mike burgesses and I really like them but improvements can be made)
1) shank on hook and hook in general pretty much too small. Gets lost in a 10" bkd
2) can't use them on smaller baits or they tear the plastic (above 1 oz ers)
3) eyes fall off so not real necessary

he uses a great sharp hook though. I'd be interested in whatever you can make especially if these improvements are Inc.
Mark

Yeah. I am working on the hook size issue. I think there needs to be one hook for small lures and another hook for bigger lures.

As far as the eyes, I think they're all going to fall off. A jig heads gets a lot of abuse. Trolling baits eyes last a long time but not if you jigged them like you do a jighead (trust me)

I am clear coating the lures after I put on the eyes, and that helps, but, again these things just get used and abused until they're lost on the bottom.

I am going to make up a few prototypes and see how you all like them.

Originally Posted by Francis

Yeah. I am working on the hook size issue. I think there needs to be one hook for small lures and another hook for bigger lures.

As far as the eyes, I think they're all going to fall off. A jig heads gets a lot of abuse. Trolling baits eyes last a long time but not if you jigged them like you do a jighead (trust me)

I am clear coating the lures after I put on the eyes, and that helps, but, again these things just get used and abused until they're lost on the bottom.

I am going to make up a few prototypes and see how you all like them.

Francis, Love it! Especially with a long shank sharp hook for the 10 inchers! Maybe we can hook up and give them a test run at CBBT!

[Bug Guy]

Francis,
Maybe not something I "want" from a jighead. But something I'd like is to see jig-heads made for specific baits. Here is what I mean - like many I'm sure, I use different size BKD's for different seasons - bigger sizes when big fish are around / smaller when small fish are around...makes sense. However, while I like having similar weight heads, I like to change the length of the hook to match the bait better. I found some heads at BPS that had a longer shank and they worked much better for me this summer/fall when fishing bigger baits than heads with a shorter shank (but same weight). Not sure if I'm making sense about the specifics, but in general, keeping the differences in plastic baits in mind when making them would be useful in my book.
Cheers,
bob

[Gitzit 2]

Francis,
my biggest gripe about jigheads is the "keeper" is usually too big and it ends up splitting the body of the bait...especially if you need a heavier jig with and short bodied bait
it doesn't take a big keeper to keep the bait on the hook....unless you use those Elaztech bodies and then you glue them anyway.

more than most other details i look for sharp, sturdy hooks with a gap large enough to handle the size body i'll be using.

looking forward to your prototypes!

[Fishamajig]

Can you make me some of the SNAG PROOF jig heads in 1 oz, 1.5 oz and 2 oz please?

I'm tired of losing them...

[Francis]

Thanks for the replies guys:

Hook size: I am working with different hooks for jigheads. I am working ewll with getting a small hook on a big head and a bighook on a small head. I think this will be easy to do with only some slight mods to the mold and hook.

Keep width/girth: This is going slow. I agree. A lot of the bigger size heads have very thick keepers which tear the shad. This either requires very cautious and serious modification of the mold $$$$$ or ince the jigheads is make a way to shave down the keeper without losing the shape.

I am experimenting. Right now, have custom molds made is too $$$$ but a dremel does a good job at getting rid of some of the keeper.

Weedless: GOOD LUCK!!

I am working on them this weekend a little. I have to work at my real job all day Saturday but should have some time Sunday to whip a few out. I'll post a few pictures.

Thanks for the help guys!

[Francis]

I really like the small hook for 5" BA's and 6"BKD's but when using a 7" BA, 10" BKD or some other bait, you really need a big hook. I agree.

As I said, I am in the planning stages of this, and want to evidently produce a quality lure that really work for the fisherman but at a realistic price.

At the end of the day, nobody can deny that you're eventually just losing them on the bottom, and breaking them off.