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Well I see this thread is already off track(sort of). First let me say I was a saltwater jig fisherman before I was a jig maker. I knew what I wanted in a jig and what I wanted to improve upon for my area and species. I am happy to say I feel I have accomplished that and then some though I can always see another horizon I want to get to. While size is important in any fishing jig it isn't always the most important consideration yet sometimes it is the biggest factor. You need to find out first and foremost what type,size,color, and style of jig your potential customers are currently using. Find out their likes and dislikes in their current tackle. What sizes and styles you decide to make should be based on what your customers want to buy and not what you want to sell them. Contact some reputable local saltwater guides and ask for their advice and give them some free tackle to test for you in return. It matters not what works in Alaska for me fishing halibut or ling cod when you are fishing Tarpon or king mackerel in Florida. Just because Do-It molds are low cost you shouldn't make them your only consideration.Though that doesn't necessarily rule them out either. Also consider you want your stuff to be as good or better than commercially made tackle in your area.And you want it to have those custom touches only a custom maker can do. Local regulations may also be a factor in what you make. Some areas may have hook size or type limitations/regulations. I make jigs to 48oz and weights to 5#. As well as several other smaller and bigger items out of lead. While my 24oz jigs are popular here they likely wouldn't sell much at all in Florida. So once you have an idea of what commercially available tackle your potential customers are using now for the various local saltwater species then you can ask the questions of which molds will work for your customers to get something similar. I have some good ideas for you just from watching some you tube videos and outdoor channel shows of Florida offshore fishing but would like some more local input before making my suggestions. And yes you really need to ladle pour anything over 3 ounces.To get the best quality anyway. I can tell you more on this once you know what you really want to make both styles and sizes and what your budget for this venture is going to be. I hope this helps and please add more to this thread once you learn what you want to try to make. I'm sure we can help you make some awesome saltwater jigs for your local waters.

fishon-son. You should look at Fusion360 1.) I am a hobbyist and have no intention on making baits for money. 2.) I understand how CAD programs work (OPENGl, DirectX,..), NOT how to use them. 3.) I understand what CAM software does, NOT how to use it. 4.) I understand G-Code (The output every one is looking for from their CAM software). 5.) I am not a CNC guy! Though again, I do understand the relationship between CAD, CAM, G-Code and the CNC Controller / Machine. 6.) I am not artistic. This is very bad for attempting CAD. 7.) I have really enjoyed this thread! I am stating all of this as to not start any arguments on this thread. I am not championing any CAD/CAM software package over another. My plan as a hobbyist to attempt to make my own aluminum injection mold is as such: 1.) Create my mold in Fusion360. 2.) Get some stock from Alro metals. 3.) Join Maker Works (http://maker-works.com) in Ann Arbor Michigan (close to me). They have a Tormach PCNC 1100. So it seems to me that Fusion360 has everything one needs to CAD and CAM a mold. 1.) Pretty good design. 2.) Tool libraries. 3.) Generates tool paths (G-Code). 4.) Windows and IOS (I use Windows so I Am not all that familiar with the ISO version). 5.) This is a hybrid cloud based application 6.) It is free for hobbyist and small businesses. 7.) You can import a whole lot of files (Catia,DFX,IGES,STEP,STL and a lot more). The learning curve is horrendous (like it is with any CAD/CAM package) for someone like me whom has never done anything with CAD/CAM and am artistically deficient. Since it is cloud based then people can share their work. Hopefully someone will think this is a good idea and help me turn my cigar shaped single cavity mold into a really cool 16 cavity swim bait mold

RS- a guy at my shop was telling me abot this place . but couldnt remember the name, im just 10 miles away so im going to have to take alook..im thinking you will need to get in line to get on the machines.....thanks so much for the help...it will deffinitly make my mind up if the tomach is for me....i have a great fish catching bait that we tested on a river fishing walleye last spring and boy did it produce..i gave a few away to the guys around us and they started catching alot more ...the bait was the talk of the river where we were at..about 10 guys got baits and all had there limits when we left....not to say my bait did it but the local bait shop wants to stock them....i just cant trust the other makers to have a mold done and my shop has grown out of the 3 building for me to make it there....i just made my 1 time mold on a bridgeport...so i know if i had a better machine i could clean it up..the mold was made at another shop I worked at...this job is 5 mins from my front door so I don't want to just slip it in and get my boss pissed.....we talked about it and I was told if we slow down he didn't care..but he also ask that I not slip it in..great shop and great people there so I can respect that.....

https://goo.gl/photos/LmLLzgFePSyCMYUc7 Here's the racks I made and use.

Thank you for your explication Painter 1. I don't think that you obtained "a very poor result", I think you have correctly intepretated the meaning of this inserted bait, adding a further characteristic as the hook slot created by the center mold insert. Plastic tearing is simply our common trouble during hook setting. Moreover I suppose that my molds are little bit rounder than yours. Finally I think that mylar is simply an added attractive flash for fish, but the right bait movement continue to be the most important thing. Bye. Cami

Ive had to patch more holes than id like to admit in my molds Ive tried bondo, then ruined the mold trying to sand it down Wood filler worked, but could not handle the heat from the plastic Tried filling in with strait wood glue, took too long to dry and runs all over the place Plaster on plaster is your solution... Just brush it on like paint... If you get rough spots, brush over those with water..... Weather it bonds or not doesnt matter, the sealer you apply will hold it together

Here is my take on this topic... I was approached by the gentleman who started this magazine. He was respectful and offered me the chance to showcase my baits in his online magazine. The offer was at no charge to me and he asked for nothing but photos...as many as I wanted to submit. Although I have not contributed as of yet, I saw nothing but an honest earnest offer to participate in his venture. I am currently busy with other matters but I may participate later just for fun. Why not? I enjoy building and I get a kick out of sharing my efforts...don't we all? Isn't that why the gallery here has no shortage of contributions? I think that like any new venture, he will probably have some growing pains and that's okay with me. As is often the case with any new idea or venture, the mission may change as time goes on and perhaps will have more for everyone later. I wish him all the best as he tries to get his venture off the ground. I hope he succeeds and I hope at some point he profits from his desire to showcase custom lures for everyone to enjoy. We all enjoy looking at baits and on a blog that I started on another website, I have also tried to showcase what I consider to be some of the finest bait builders from all over the world. People seem to enjoy that and this fellow is simply trying to do the same, from what I've seen. I see absolutely no reason to wish him anything but the best of luck as he tries to do something that he feels has a certain value for all to enjoy.