Advice on Bullet Head Jigs - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

ridler72 · 02-13-2008, 02:52 PM

I'm looking for a Bullet style jig head (3/4oz size) with a super strong hook, like a 3x or 4x hook. I've used a lot of brands and from time to time I've had the hook fold or bend. I use the jig heads on long plastics like Sluggo's, Ronz, Hoagies. I prefer the bullet to stay streamlined.

Kalins has the best fit but the hook has been suspect. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

A few of us brought this conversation to Pt. Jude a couple of months back but needed more on the board for something to be done.

Saltheart · 02-13-2008, 02:55 PM

3/4 OZ is fairly small. the problem is that the jig molds won't hold a big hook size for the 3/4 oz jig head.

you could open up a Do-it mold with a dremel and bur tool to accept larger than standard hook sizes in the 3/4 OZ cavity.

plankton · 02-13-2008, 03:12 PM

I'll second the need for some bullet heads with good hooks. I also use the Kalins 3/4 oz. heads and the wire hook in them is suspect, but they're the best I've been able to find. SOL sells real nice shad and ball jigs with upsized hooks, but no bullet heads. I may get some of their 3/4 oz. ball heads and try those on my 7" sluggos, at that size the circumference of the ball head might be small enough to be somewhat streamlined with the rubber. It would be great if Pt. Jude started to make something to fill this niche, adding to their already excellent line of products of which I own more than a few of already (and need to stock up on at the shows as well).

cow tamer · 02-13-2008, 04:46 PM

Owner makes one that might be a tad stronger than Kalin.

ridler72 · 02-13-2008, 05:04 PM

I wish I had the room to add a molding station. Poisoned by rod building
and fly tying that takes up the bulk of the room in a small apartment. But I'm waters edge so that's the tradeoff...even though it's getting mighty wet right now. lol

3/4 oz is what I mostly atleast for where I fish. I just checked out Boone heads. Looks to be a quality hook but don't have it in my hands...and of course they have 1/2 and 1oz, no 3/4.

There has to be a bunch of anglers who are in the same boat. Do you....you.....feel like I do?

Chefskeez6 · 02-13-2008, 05:38 PM

As stated above Owner make some decent jig heads.

NIB · 02-13-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cow tamer

Owner makes one that might be a tad stronger than Kalin.

The hook in the kalin 3/4 oz bullet I believe is stronger than the owner..
I have had the trouble with the small owner hook never the kalins..
I make a 3.4 oz bullet head with a 7/0 5319 owner jig hook.U can also substitute a variety of o'shaughnessy type hooks with a size #1 sinker eyelet..I do this also.

Nebe · 02-13-2008, 08:57 PM

NIB has spoken

I make one with a VMC 7/0 live bait hook and the #1 sinker eye..short and strong.. NIB taught me.

NIB · 02-13-2008, 09:40 PM

http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...1&d=1202956052

I looked for a 3/4 but could not find one easily..
Here are some samples of my work.I don't think I use a single mold with the intended hook...
Brass sinker eyelets and stainless ones I make myself out of scrap plug wire..Nothing goes to waste..

Top is a 3 oz shad head with a 10/0 owner Nasty..
Next down a 2 oz bullet with a 10/0 mustad 3407 oldie but goodie..
Next down a 2 oz bullet with a 8/0 gami o shaunessy..Great hook..
U can by something like this from cabela's
next one down is the same with a different line tie placement.
Bottom Is a 1 oz bullet with a 5/0 gammi siwash..I will take the same 1 oz head an make it out of tin to give me close to 3/4..I use the siwash in smaller baits.Longer baits like a sluggo get the 5319 7/0 owner jig hook.One of the best..This is just a small sampling of what U basically have to do as IMO, there's just not anything made the way NIB Likes it...

ridler72 · 02-14-2008, 11:35 AM

Thanks for posting NIB. Nice work.

RIROCKHOUND · 02-14-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

NIB has spoken

I make one with a VMC 7/0 live bait hook and the #1 sinker eye..short and strong.. NIB taught me.

Maybe we need to make some 1.5oz for Plan B before the season...

NIB · 02-14-2008, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Maybe we need to make some 1.5oz for Plan B before the season...

In 1.5 I use the owner bullet.Already has the dollar hook in it.
I just love the head..It fishes real well it's the only one I buy.I get em by the case..For around 4 dollars a 3 per pack.U have to know someone for that price..

Nebe · 02-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Maybe we need to make some 1.5oz for Plan B before the season...

sure thing hound... when the furnace is on, we will make a bunch.

RIROCKHOUND · 02-15-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

In 1.5 I use the owner bullet.Already has the dollar hook in it.
I just love the head..It fishes real well it's the only one I buy.I get em by the case..For around 4 dollars a 3 per pack.U have to know someone for that price..

thats rich for my blood T. We lose a lot of gear fishing Plan B....

Pt.JudeJoe · 02-15-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

Maybe we need to make some 1.5oz for Plan B before the season...

See me at the shows Bryan,I think I got something for Plan B. Is 4,5 oz too big?

RIROCKHOUND · 02-15-2008, 12:51 PM

Joe... mainly 1.5-3oz... 4.5, MAYBE if it is a cranking west tide...

Mr. Sandman · 02-15-2008, 06:45 PM

I thought that was a secret I only knew about

Bill L · 02-15-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ned Schneebly

sure thing hound... when the furnace is on, we will make a bunch

I have about a hundred pounds of good lead

Nebe · 02-15-2008, 08:22 PM

you can partake toonoc, bring lead and beer.

I'll let you know when

NIB · 02-16-2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

you can partake toonoc, bring lead and beer.

I'll let you know when

Lead, Beer, an Nebe's Infurnace (2000 degree's)
Sounds like my kinda party

NIB · 02-16-2008, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RIROCKHOUND

thats rich for my blood T. We lose a lot of gear fishing Plan B....

Rule #1:
Never fall in love with a jig..They don't stick around long enough.
Like I said the hook I use cost's a buck so it cost's me 33 cents per.I will pay someone to pour em for .33 per everytime so I don't have to deal with em.

NIB · 02-16-2008, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pt.JudeJoe

See me at the shows Bryan,I think I got something for Plan B. Is 4,5 oz too big?

Pt. Jude Joe has some cool stuff..
Stuff so cool. I cannot even talk about it..
Took some nice fish on em here in NJ last fall when everyone was crying how bad it was..

U'll just have to go an get the whole line to figure out what they where.

Nebe · 02-16-2008, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIB

Lead, Beer, an Nebe's Infurnace (2000 degree's)
Sounds like my kinda party

kingston pizza and apple pie can be provided as well.

Bill L · 02-16-2008, 09:34 AM

Excellent, I'll bring some hot dogs and safety glassess too

Clogston29 · 02-21-2008, 08:14 AM

i just got some of the andrus heads from SRI. they look like they'll do the job for a lot of applications (especially sluggos) and come with a strong hook. The hook's alittle smaller than what I really want on a 3/4 oz head for use with the bigger ronz (the hooks they come with suck, I can't beleive more people don't complain about them - I think I straightened three last year and gave up), but I think I'm going to have to commit to making my own to get what I want - a 3/4 oz head with a 7/0 or 8/0 hook.

RIROCKHOUND · 02-21-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toonoc

Excellent, I'll bring some hot dogs and safety glassess too

Pfff! safety glasses...
p-ssy

Mr. Sandman · 02-21-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

i just got some of the andrus heads from SRI. they look like they'll do the job for a lot of applications (especially sluggos) and come with a strong hook. The hook's alittle smaller than what I really want on a 3/4 oz head for use with the bigger ronz (the hooks they come with suck, I can't beleive more people don't complain about them - I think I straightened three last year and gave up), but I think I'm going to have to commit to making my own to get what I want - a 3/4 oz head with a 7/0 or 8/0 hook.

Here is what I did last season and it worked out fairly well. (I am always experimenting with it)

I made several versions....

1) I poured a heavy bullet jighead (with heavy mustad fordged hooks)with tin instead of lead (a bit lighter material) and drilled out indents for eyes further lightening the jighead.

2) on some of them I drilled out some lightening holes to reduce the weight even more.

3) I poured some using varying densities of west system epoxy and micro ballons. These came out great!!! and allows you to make a larger head with weight that is controllable to a degree. I have one that is large and a slow sinker...great in heavy structure and casts much further then a sluggo. (If you do this make SURE you put a light coat of wax on the mold before pouring epoxy in there, that epoxy is tough stuff)

What I like about these is the fit-up between the ronz tail and the head... nearly perfect. I soak the end in a zapagap or superglue and hold it on the jig for a minute. It stays on very well.

Mr. Sandman · 02-21-2008, 09:24 AM

one more pic...

I have enough now that range from almost floating to sink like a stone. All of them cast pretty well too.

My own opinion on the RonZ hooks (mustad ultra point) is that they are a good sharp hook that penetrates well it is just for the smaller size ronz heads the hook wire is too thin. I think for the 3 oz it is probably ok although it will bend a little, it is tough to straighten out. The smaller jig heads you can easily straighten out esp with 50# braid and fishing in strong current or in heavy structure.

beamie · 02-21-2008, 12:03 PM

Sandman,

Good to see your experiments, that's fun.

Strange you mentioned microballoons and resin. Years ago I had a mold, I think I still do, for surface poppers cast in resin. They worked well, I may have to blow the dust off them.

NIB · 02-22-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clogston29

i just got some of the andrus heads from SRI. they look like they'll do the job for a lot of applications (especially sluggos) and come with a strong hook. The hook's alittle smaller than what I really want on a 3/4 oz head for use with the bigger ronz (the hooks they come with suck, I can't beleive more people don't complain about them - I think I straightened three last year and gave up), but I think I'm going to have to commit to making my own to get what I want - a 3/4 oz head with a 7/0 or 8/0 hook.

Josh, I know i said I will send ya some.but that was in fishing season and I got derailed..

The one I make is out of a 1 oz bullet head I use A 7/0 Owner 5319 jig hook.IMO one of the best made..I have 3 over 35 lbs in a 5 knt current with em.Just a little dremeling of the eyelet hole an some carefull file work where the shaft of the hook lays in the jig mold should get this hook to fit. If I pour it out of tin it comes in right around 3/4 oz.Tin is aprrox 2/3 the weight of lead the bigger hook makes up the extra grams..
The hook is a little on the long side for this head but it is perfect for sluggo's..I wrap some "E" sized thread on the shank an make little lump like barbs an glue it up.Works great for the sluggo's an penetrator's..
I only trust my own stuff..U should also..