super_fly

They're also called flats jigs, bonefish jigs, they're arrow head shaped jigs that are used for saltwater flats fishing...although I've taken bass on them as well. Or does anybody pour them? I've found one source so far but they only have them in 3/16 oz. Ideally I'd like to find 1/8 & 1/16 as well. Ken

Hi Everybody, I'm looking for a source for unpainted, undressed skimmer jig heads in sizes ranging from 1/16 - 3/8oz. Anybody know of any? I'm not looking to pour my own, just find blanks that I can paint & dress. Thanks, Ken

that's a good point about the blue! yup, also forgot brown. Thanks!

Hi Everybody, Well, I'm getting closer to getting my first kits/materials for lures. I was wondering what are some colors you'd consider "essential". Yeah, I know that's somewhat of a loaded question but as somebody just starting out what do you think? I'm kind of thinking: Black Purple Red Chartreuse Green/Watermelon and for glitter, I have no idea. Any thoughts? Thanks, Ken

That was excellent!!

Lots of good stuff to think about; thanks everybody! I read the tutorials on making your own molds and it looks pretty fun. To be honest; I'm not sure what exactly I want though. I've really just started fishing soft plastics. The ones I use most are storm wildeyes (and yes, I've been keeping the hooks/heads after they die ) and D.O.A. terro-eyz. The storm looks like a tough mold though. I did alright on lizards this past weekend but would you believe I have yet to catch a bass on a worm? I mostly fly fish but I'm starting to work with plastics more. So I don't have a "must have" pattern as of yet I just think it looks like fun. That's why I was thinking of the variety mold in the starter kits to start practicing. As I develop my techniques and find my go-to patterns that's when I was planning on getting the nice aluminum molds and making my own. Probably should have put this in the earlier post but that's why I was looking at the lurecraft & m-f kits over the del-mart (which admittedly looks like the best if you know what you want). Does that make sense? Thanks, Ken

Hi Everybody, Well, I got some birthday money coming in and I'm looking at getting a starter kit. I'm looking for some versatility since I want to see a variety of baits and how they turn out. So I'm looking at the lurecraft and mf kits. I realize the delmart ones are better quality but I'm thinking budget & variety at the moment. I just want to start experimenting. Any thoughts on those two starters (or others?). I might also pick up a shrimp mold since I fish the salt a lot. That's another reason I'm looking at the lc & mf kits, the jig bodies should work salt as well (heck, they even say the worms will work!). Thanks, Ken

Here's my fleet: Kayaks - OK Drifter, Perception Swing Gheenoe - 15'4" Hi-sider with 15HP Evinrude Canoe - Mad River Adventure 16 Bank/Wade - Hiking boots or Simms flats sneakers Don't do the float tube thing living in South Florida. Lots of big toothy critters that like dangling bits. I realize there are Floridians who float tube and I salute you! But I'll wade, how weird is that? Ken

This isn't first hand knowledge but it's good second hand. One of the guides in our fly fishing club uses (read: sponsored by) pfleuegers. Now, with that being said this guy is a bonefish machine! Locally recognized as one of the current top bonefish guides and does well with snook, tarpon, permit, etc. He's also a nice guy. He's even been featured on Shallow Water Angler television (which has shakespear/pfleuger/berkely as a sponsor mind you). The point is I trust him. Despite the fact that he gets his gear for a very good price he could get pretty much anybody's gear for a very good price. He uses other stuff as well but he's been very happy with the pfleuger presidents and trion fly reels. They get a good workout and last awhile. I've been eyeing the president setup. I got a trion fly rod & reel at our club's silent auction for a great price ($85 for the combo). I've just started using it and the I love the way the rod casts. The reel is nice but, to be honest, I haven't given it a good torture test yet. So that's the info I have. Hope it's useful. Ken

Haven't had much luck finding poly macrame at craft stores but e-bay has produced. Here's another alternative that looks pretty interesting: Needloft plastic canvas yarn. It's in the Walmart craft section for $.25. Yup 25 cents. Centavos. Pennies. Definitely a "confidence builder" . When you come it out it's softer than the macrame but basically the same stuff. Probably won't hold the shape of the big bunker/mullet flies that the macrame/EP will but I think it will make some nice streamers. When I get around to taking pictures I'll post some pics of the flies I'm tying. Tied my first macrame flies the other day; they look very much like the EP flies (at least in my mind). Ken

Good old poly macrame yarn? I've been playing with macrame yarn recently and it's remarkably close to EP fibers. Some of it's softer but some of it is really similar. Also when you start blending the colors it gets pretty interesting. Anybody else using it or notice a big difference? Ken

Yeah, me too! I like the old man show best! Chapelle's show is pretty strong in the running now! I'll worry when I order chardonnay over Guinness! Ken

That is excellent! Thank you so much. I'll try to get around to typing up my notes from the Flyfishing legends: Lefty Kreh & Andy Mill seminar I went to a couple of weeks ago. Ken

I use nail polish on my jigs. Colors are pretty good but it takes multiple coats for it to stick. I need to find a white base for them then apply color. My favorite nail polish (did I really just say that?) is the NYC stuff. You can find it at target & other fine stores for about a buck a bottle. They get the nice flourescent colors. Sally hansen's is good as well (Do I really know two nail polishes by name?). For flies I use Sally Hansen's hard as nails with nylon as head cement and in place of epoxy for some flies. Put a couple coats on and that stuff is bulletproof! You should see the looks I get when I'm looking at the nail polish. I've actually had to ask if they carry chartreuse... Ken

Thanks everybody; that's kind of what I was thinking. Good tips on the respirator. My "shop" will be the garage with the door open and a fan blowing out I think! (Mental Note: make sure my wife never reads this thread... ) Ken