Split Shot Jig Heads

[macon1]

A split shot about to be powdered and is heated may open a little....if you see the hot lead parting, simply close again with pliers. Can also get a fish head type shape by using Clam Shot from Bass Pro Shops....they are football shaped and flatten to profile a fish head of sorts.

I've been making split shot heads for years and never personally had one flip off. Good Fishing, macon1

 

[macon1]

Something else came to mind. While crimping the shot you want two flat surfaces for the eyes. We have all seen the so called fishing pliers that have jaws that travel parallel to each other, one remember having a depression in it to close shot without loosing the roundness of the shot. Well if you were to set the shot up on the hook, and close it slightly, then insert in these pliers and squeeze hard, maybe a tap or two with a plastic mallet, it would crimp, flatten, and maybe leave a raised dot for an eye if you watched where you put things. I'll find the set I have if y'all need to see em. Honest, I'm not crazy. Well, not that crazy.........Tim

 

[macon1]

Sears carries a smooth jawed Knipex wrench looking similar to Channel Locks. It varies in that it has a push button to change the opening size when compressed. Some split shot requires a different size, that is a "between" size to properly crimp and flatten eyes. I use a rubber band to hold a finishing nail crosswise in the back of the jaws when doing "in between" work. Great for crimping and flattening eyes at the same time. Think I paid around $35.00 Good Fishing, macon1

 

[AtticaFish]

...Can also get a fish head type shape by using Clam Shot from Bass Pro Shops....they are football shaped and flatten to profile a fish head of sorts....

I have started with a large shot and shaped it down to a 'close enough' minnow/darter shape in the past. It takes a lot of shaping and grinding starting from a round shot - might have to see if i can find some of the BassPro clam shots my next trip up there. Thanks.

 

[Fatman]

Thanks for all the tips

 

[quivira kid]

This got the ol' wheels turning...... ice season is almost upon us!

 

[Fatman]

Gettin the shakes Zac!!!!LOL

 

[quivira kid]

Like a BB in a tin can....

 

[AtticaFish]

This got the ol' wheels turning...... ice season is almost upon us!

Exactly where i picture the heavy head/small hook jigs. The designs i see in some of the ice jigs are where some of my inspiration for shaping the heads has come from. The medium bend (less than 90 degrees) on the eyes of the 3366 hooks lets the hook hang down at just a slight angle when vertical fishing. Through the ice...... i am usually trying to get the fish to 'chase' the jig up to get them active, raising the jig little by little. So they are going to hit it from below at an angle and i want the hook to be pointing that way. That is my hypothesis anyway.

 

[quivira kid]

I ordered 1000 size 8 3366's awhile ago for gill flies... so I have a few to play with! Also thinking about getting a few size 12 sickle hooks.

 

[Charlie2]

I ordered 1000 size 8 3366's awhile ago for gill flies... so I have a few to play with! Also thinking about getting a few size 12 sickle hooks.

Another use for split shot is making eyes for flies(Clousers).

Take two split shot and crimp them together closely on a piece of mono. I have used wire, but mono also works. I burn the ends of the mono to secure the shot and create 'pupils' on the 'eyes'. C2