Westernbass Magazine - FREE Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - Winter 2015, Page 20

Westernbass Magazine - FREE Bass Fishing Tips And Techniques - Winter 2015, Page 20

mold to leave a hole for the weed guard. These can either be a metal piece or Teflon

Making your own jigs is a fun way to save money and

the heated lead is placed there, an even layer of paint will attach to the jig head.

base pins and will ensure the mold has an open hole for the

also create something that is Mis aekaisnygbyyouusoinwgnaflsumidablled

weed guard and also prevent the hole from being covered over during painting.

not on the market. Some of my best color patterns have

aerator pump, a few pieces of pipe fittings and some tubing. Instructional videos

Weed guards come in different colors, thickness and

come from wild ideas while

on how to build your fluid bed can be found online and

pliability so your options are open – choose what is right for you. After the painting

creating jigs and the cost per jig goes way down after your

will greatly increase the quality of your jigs.

Once the painting is

process, epoxy is an easy way to get your weed guards to

initial investment.

complete, follow the baking instructions on the paint

hold. A small dab into the hole

container to complete the

before inserting the weed

process. A conventional

guard is enough to keep them securely in place.

oven or a toaster oven will bake the paint and prevent

it from chipping when you are on the water.

PAINTING

Painting your own jig heads is a great way to make

SKIRTS

them more durable and also to match your bait or

Adding a skirt to your jig is a fun step and the color

skirt if you are pouring a skirted jig. There are several

combinations you can create are unlimited. Skirt tabs

different brands of power coat paint and a multitude

comes in hundreds of colors and you can mix and

of colors to choose from.

match to get your desired result. They are inexpensive

Painting can be as simple as heating with a lighter and take two or three tabs to for your standard jig.

a jig and dipping it into the powdered paint, or you can

Once you have your desired color pattern, a

utilize a heat gun and fluid bed for a better quality

skirting tool allows you to add the skirt band and

paint job. The heat gun and fluid bed is the best way to quickly create the skirt. Once that is complete, cut

have a consistent finish that will last and you will use

off the molded ends and your skirt is ready to be

less paint.

attached to the jig.

Fluid beds allow for the powder paint to move

freely in a small enclosed area and when

Fluid bed with powder paint

Heat gun prior

to painting

Inserting weedguard

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