Bottomfish Jigs....

Liquid Asset · 12-07-2002, 03:44 PM

Hey Gang!

I've been looking on the net for a good place to buy bottomfish jigs (leadheads). Any thoughts?

Also, I've seen the kits for painting your own...that seems cool...is it easy?

Thanks,

Liquid

skein · 12-07-2002, 04:08 PM

I got tired of paying .79 apiece - or more - for jigs so I bought a mold and now pour my own. It's easy and I can crank out a year's supply in one setting. As for paint, I don't paint my bottom fish jigs, but I have painted shad jigs and I can't tell any difference in the catch rate. I do know that it's a pain in the neck. If I was building steelhead jigs I would definitely paint them, but I can't build 'em as good as Mark does (First Cast Jigs) so I just buy his.

Skein

Mojo · 12-07-2002, 04:55 PM

Try Pro-Tec powder paint. Works well!

fish assassin · 12-09-2002, 05:30 AM

If you want to save money on jigs, make your own!! You can
buy the hooks and jig molds at Harry's Bait and Tackle down at
Newport ... he has a good selection and better grade of
hooks than Englunds (IMHO).

Use tire weights for lead ... some of the Les Schwab stores
can make you *real* good deals on lead. Depending on who
you talk to, you can either get the lead free, or for as
little as $5 for a five gallon bucket full. I use an old
pan on my crab cooker and a cheap ladle to dip the lead out.

Cheap and easy once you get all the original equiptment
together!!

-assAssin-

Capin' Dan · 12-10-2002, 02:00 AM

Liquid assett and all. last year we had a lead pouring party at my place. this was simply amazing and I got tons of that kind of stuff. I still have a lot of it but am looking forward to this years party as we said last year this will be an annual thing. I mostly jsut need the big stuff for the halibut this year and If the guy whom has that diamond jig comes out again will stock up on more of those. They are ling and sea bass killers.

what about it salty dogs. Do we want to go round two for a lead pouring party. Mr Fishermans wings, capn dans halibut and ling fish fry.

When do we want to do it?

If some can't make it I could perhaps pour some and set them aside on special request of people.

What about it Pilar.

dan!

Pitch Pocket · 12-10-2002, 09:10 AM

Last year the lead party was during spring break. I was out of town and couldn't make it. I'd be up for the event if I'm around.

Miss B Haven · 12-10-2002, 11:10 PM

I'm in- AND I have a 5 gallon bucket (~200lbs) of tire weights I need to make use of or get rid of. I've got a bud who has a 12lb cannon ball mold too (if he ever gets home from overseas). Hmm.. reminds me, I've got at least 2 lifetimes of those 12 lb balls. Maybe we can do a swap at the lead party? :grin:

skein · 12-10-2002, 11:20 PM

I'd sure be interested in being a part of that if I can get an invite. I've got a mold for 1, 1 1/2, and 2 oz jig heads - as well as some hooks and lead. I usually use a blowtorch, and I can bring that except it's not very high-tech.

I've also got some pics of fishing Vancouver Island and my stories are all true and verifiable.

What else is required?

Skein

Miss B Haven · 12-10-2002, 11:27 PM

skein - Sounds like we may need some bottled refreshments! :grin:

Capin' Dan · 12-11-2002, 12:05 AM

Skien can you dance? Seriously we drank a few beers had some great eats and Pilar and crew really busted thier a$$ pouring lead. Lets hear some dates. we don't have to have it at my place necessaryily I know its a longs ways to go. but lets get something set up.

[ 12-11-2002, 01:06 AM: Message edited by: Capin' Dan ]

Pilar · 12-11-2002, 08:30 AM

Ruh?

Lead party?

Who, What, Where, When, You know ........

Does anyone have a mold for inline trolling weights? Or for tuna jig leads?

skein · 12-11-2002, 08:40 AM

I wouldn't mind springing for a mold if I knew what we needed. For the good of the order and all....

Skein

Sensei-san · 12-11-2002, 07:26 PM

Folks, All this talk about having lead pouring parties scares the bejeezus out of me. I have lost to many fine fishermen buddies including myself to the effects of lead poisoning. One of my mentors when I lived in Hawaii used to pour all his jigs, yes, Pilar even tuna jigs. I watched him as he aged, first slurred speech then loss of memory affected him. I wrote it off to age but it got worse. He developed Parkinson's and wound up in a nursing home where he died a terrible death. It is not fun to see your friend strapped into a chair shaking all the time.

If you are going to play with lead and especially tire weights because they have antimony in them, treat it like you were handling nuclear waste. Because it is in some respects as some of the lead around is from recycled reactor cores. Always wear a respirator type face mask and full body gear. The tyvek painters overalls are good. Throw them away after smelting. Do any smelting outdoors and away from any place that kids can get into. The slag from smelting is especially dangerous. It is hazardous waste. Legally it needs to be disposed of in a special site.

You may think I am a killjoy but the effects of lead are felt long after you play with it if you are a healthly adult. For kids it is more severe and has a quicker onset. For me it is a subtle loss of memory and hearing. I have recurring bouts of tinnitus and my short term memory is shot.

Nah... Saving a few bucks is not worth my remaining health.....

Fishplay · 12-11-2002, 10:45 PM

I been killing myself slowly for years. Granted; some of my methods are more fun than others but this party thing sounds good enough to make my dance card.
I have many molds. Cannon balls 1oz. - 6oz., 8, 10, 16, 24, and 32. Pyramids 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24. some worm sinkers, and a teardrop type bottom fish mold (eye on top and eyes out either side center.
My lead supply however has dwindled to nill.

Capin' Dan · 12-12-2002, 04:41 AM

thanks for your concern sensi, We will take the necessary precautions.

I will set something up for January mid.

My House again???

I have the big barn and can open all the doors for great venilation.

I will put up a vote post and go from there.

Dan!

Pilar · 12-12-2002, 06:48 AM

Sensei san, I love ya man.

Once upon a time I pushed a maintenance cart in a battery plant. I wallowed in the lead dust, splash and battery acid repairing and installing the machines there every night for a living. So let me be alot more specific about lead hazards, speaking from experience. The workers at JCI were monitored for blood lead levels, monthly. Most of them tested for very low exposure levels. There are certain aspects of lead that are by far the most toxic.

The brown and yellow dust from the slag on top of the molten lead is lead oxide and lead dioxide. It can easily enter your bloodstream by inhalation or ingestion. Workers at the battery plant that worked in the plate paster and mixing rooms wore special masks and if directly exposed to the lead oxide tanks, suits too.

Ordinary splash is most hazardous because of the burns it causes. Don't drop wet lead into a melt pot. The water flashes to steam and spits hot lead out of the pot.

In the rest of the plant the following precautions reduced exposure to minimal levels. Remember I worked there for several years at 40 to 60 hours a week and I always tested low for exposure.

1) Wash your face and hands with a scrubbing type soap like Lava and (hands) with a brush before eating or smoking.
2) Remove your contaminated outer garments before eating or smoking.
3) Do not touch your face with your hands.
4) As soon as you are done working, shower. If you get heavily contaminated, shower. Bag your clothes and wash them as a separate load.
5) Rinse the washer by running a no load before you use it again.
6) Don't expose others by sitting on furniture or the seat in your rig with your contaminated clothes on.

At the battery plant, the hazards of sulfuric acid far exceeded the exposure to lead contamination. Acid exposure sometimes caused me to shower up to 4 times a shift.

Lead is a toxic, heavy metal that will accumulate in your system with repeated exposure. It dissapates very slowly. Smolting lead exposes you to other chemicals like the plastics, rubber and glue in the tire weights when it goes up in smoke. So don't breathe the smoke and follow the precautions above.

Your mileage may vary ...........

[ 12-12-2002, 07:48 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

skein · 12-12-2002, 07:21 AM

Sounds good to me, Cap. I like Fishplay's list of molds, and am still willing to pick up a mold if there's something we need and don't have. I'll start gathering up my lead and see what I can come up with. Mid-January should be perfect.

Skein

12-12-2002, 10:29 AM

IIII'vvvv worrrked wittth leeedd alll myyy liiffe annd ittt haarrdddddly hurrrt meee.

Sens,
Good advice. Be careful when handling heavy metals and chemicals.

Pilar,
My lead supply is gone :depressed: After what I gave you I poured 20 12 lb downriger balls and used it all up. It's amazing how fast 1600 pounds can disappear.

Mark Mc · 12-12-2002, 11:00 PM

Hi all, I'm obligated to chime in on this one. First, thanks to those of you who are offering words of warning, and recommendations for protecting our health.

My occupation (which supports my fishing habit) is an EHS (environmental, health, & safety) professional. I'm a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Protecting employees from chemicals, radiation, noise, etc. is what I do.

If you decide to melt lead, you need to:

1) eliminate the airborne exposure
2) eliminate skin exposure
3) clean up everything so you don't contaminate the soil / groundwater, and so you don't put others (especially children)at risk who would contact the leftovers or the soil.

For #1 - just "opening up the barn" may not be good enough. Natural air currents will not guarantee that the fumes are removed from your breathing zones. You really need mechanical ventilation & a proper hood to remove the fumes & exhaust way outside the area. Since most folks don't have this setup, the next best thing is to use respirators. This means using a NIOSH approved HEPA respirator, that is properly fitted. You can not get a proper fit if you have facial hair. Don't even argue this one. We use high-tech fit testers that quantify this, and have proven to all the macho maintenance techs that they can not get the required fit with any appreciable facial hair.

For #2, the previously mentioned idea of disposable Tyvek is right on. If you end up washing your clothes, just realize that now you are risking contaminating your wife & children's clothing. The other concern not mentioned is: never have food or drink in or near a lead melting operation. Save the food & beer for after you have completely cleaned yourself up.

If you still think it's worth it to do it yourself:
#3 Can you effectively clean up the area? Think about using aluminum foil (lots of it) to cover all surfaces so you can dispose of any contamination. This last one is actually my biggest concern, because that's how children are most likely to be exposed. Children are incredibly susceptible to lead. Lead is a developmental toxin. Learning disabilities, neurological damage....The harm done is irreparable, and it affects their whole future. You joke about how us old f**ts have already lost some of our brain cells, so it doesn't matter much. The truth is that adults have much less to lose.

Please, whatever you do, do not take any chances where children are involved.

Sorry if this sounds like I'm preaching. I am! Thanks & be safe...... Mark

[ 12-12-2002, 01:05 PM: Message edited by: Mark Mc ]