Weed Guard Question

[aaarneson]

I am making football jigs with the FG-30 weed guard which is what the mold asks for.  I always have trouble getting it in there properly...I have to drill out a little more lead for it to slide all the way in.  I am using the pin that is needed when molding.

 

Any tips for this to work better would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

[cadman]

I take a couple of strands off. Also I find it easier to put the weedguard in the weedguard hole loose strands first. Reason being, the fused end is flared out and many times doesn't want to slide in as easily. If you put it in loose strands first, the strands are all nice and straight. Once the weedguards are fully dry, take some side cutters and cut the fused part off. This is the way I do it and it works for me.

Edited April 16, 2014 by cadman

[aaarneson]

I take a couple of strands off. Also I find it easier to put the weedguard in the weedguard hole loose strands first. Reason being, the fused end is flared out and many times doesn't want to slide in as easily. If you put it in loose strands first, the strands are all nice and straight. Once the weedguards are fully dry, take some side cutters and cut the fused part off. This is the way I do it and it works for me.

So loose end first....then just trim the top?  I will try that.

[smallmouthaholic]

Simply pour your jigs w/ the weed guards firmly seated into the mold channel- all the way against the head of the jig. Put your hook in the mold and close-then insert the weed guard all the way in.. Obtain the correct size tubing to slide over the weed guards) for a tight fit when painting. You also have the ability to change the position(away from the hook point) by bending and holding the weed guards for 5-8 seconds as soon as they come out of the mold Hold the hook in one hand and bend the fiber guards towards the eye of the hook.

[aaarneson]

Another off topic question.  I seem to be getting more strands on the bottom of my jig than on the top.  What is an easy solution for getting a full looking jig on top?

 

Thanks

[cadman]

So loose end first....then just trim the top?  I will try that.

Yes, that is correct. There are a lot of ways people do weedguards for themselves. I have yet to see good looking jigs  that are powder painted and baked with the weedguards poured in place. It also depends on how you want your jigs to look. Since I sell my jigs  (I only use powder paint) I take a lot of pride in my work, I will not make sloppy looking jigs. But this is just me. The fish really don't care.

 

On your second question. I am assuming you are referring to skirt strands? If so, I myself find it easier to  put rubber collars on my skirt tabs and then slide them on the jig. Once on the jig, I arrange the strands so they look equal. Once I like what I see I wrap the skirt with wire. When  that is all tight and done, I roll off the rubber collar to use again for another time.

[aaarneson]

Thanks Cadman....I did try the rubber collar on my last build....but I may not have paid close attention to adjusting the skirts.  I will try better next time.

 

Thanks

[Munkin]

One thing I do is take and wiggle the base pin around after pouring to make the hole a little bigger.

 

Allen

[Lefty's Lure Co.]

I have custom weedguards built by  KAYSER LURE CORPORATION they build my weedguards in 8,11, 15, & 24 fibers they used .018 diameter fiber .021 &.024 diameter fiber length available 1 3/8" - 1 7/8" also with base sizes from 1/16 thru 5/32 diameter.

Custom built smallier sized fiberguards diameter fiber .018 or .021 

bundle strand  8 through 15 trand 1/16 & 5/64 bases

lengths available 7/8" to 1 5/8" long

You can have custom colors made they start from 1000 guards and go up to 100,000 plus

there company is in  usra illinois  p.o box 68  zip code  62376

[BassBull]

The way I do it is a extra step but it works faster and cleaner in the end. I take a rubber skirt collar and put it on my weed guards loose end, about 1/4 inch up from loose ends. I use DVC-2T to glue my weed guards in so their is a time factor involved. I don't take any strands of weed guard off (1/8 ") and use the full count. Take and roll the rubber collar with your finger tips to make a perfect round set of fibers. If I have 10 our 50 to do I do this to all the weed guards before I mix my glue up. Just touch the loose fiebers to the glue while holding in your fingers the rubber skirt band and it will then slide into the guard hole very easy and when you have it in place spin the weed guard in place to spread glue better on the bottom of the hole. It's quicker then you thick and you don't have that odd fiber slip out on you when you place the fiber into the hole. I hope this helps some one. Have a good day.  STEVE