NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums

NJ Saltwater Fishing Reports and Information => Helping Each Other Out => Topic started by: makokeith on March 28, 2012, 12:03:14 PM

Title: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: makokeith on March 28, 2012, 12:03:14 PM

Last year I did real well fluking with Tsunami ball jigs. I got the earball mold from do-it and modified my lee down pour spout so I can pour 8oz jigs without the rippling. I even built a nice fluid bed for PC.   I have poured a ton of earballs with swivels on them. Now they need a split ring and a hook or an open end hook added on to the swivel. But my question is if the swivel even neccessary? I googled fluke balls for a while and only tsunami really does it this way. I could just do a breakaway clip, hook right to the eye,or a snap swivel with mono to a hook. So why would the swivel be better? Will you lose less fish? Does it matter much if the hook is not always in the up position? I am probably thinking too much into this but I would like to get some opinions from guys who fish the fluke balls.....Thanks, Keith.

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: IrishAyes on March 28, 2012, 03:22:51 PM

I pour smaller ball jigs and used the ball both with and without the swivel. Didn't really notice much difference.

I connected the hook a couple different ways. One being with a split ring. I have also tied a snelled hook to the eye of the jig. I would do this if I wanted my bait further back from the ball.

Question for you. What mold do you have from do-it for the 8 oz ball?

Can you post how you made your fluid bed for powder coating?

What colors have you used with these?

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: makokeith on March 28, 2012, 04:15:00 PM

Thanks for the reply Joe. The mold is ebl-5-xlf or 3479. It has 2-3-4-6-8 oz cavaties. 77$ at do-it but much cheaper elsewhere. Got mine at fairfield tackle. I am still messing around with the fluid bed. But it is 4" and I am using the cheap white HF powder and it works great. And the white is suppossed to be the hardest to use. I am using Tyvek suit for the filter. It works the best out of all the materials I tried. I will try to post some pics up later.

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: IrishAyes on March 28, 2012, 04:21:48 PM

Thanks for the info Keith.

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: makokeith on March 28, 2012, 06:15:13 PM

Here is the fluid bed and a 8oz earball and 4oz bucktail. Not baked yet just dipped.

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k144/williemilkem/100_0030.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k144/williemilkem/100_0032.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k144/williemilkem/100_0031.jpg)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k144/williemilkem/100_0033.jpg)

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: IrishAyes on March 28, 2012, 07:19:27 PM

Just ordered the mold from Barlow's Tackle.  t^

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: BigAl13 on March 28, 2012, 07:24:17 PM

Looks good. the only benefit i can think the swivel would give would be a more fluent motion of the bucktail.

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: striperdad on March 31, 2012, 12:45:09 PM

Looks good. Allot of work?

Title: Re: Fluke ball jig advise.
Post by: makokeith on March 31, 2012, 04:29:43 PM

Quote from: striperdad on March 31, 2012, 12:45:09 PM

Looks good. Allot of work?

Its worth it for me. I get the lead for free. The worst part is the first lead melting to clean it and turn it into ingots. Once i get going with the molds I can do 100 real fast. Less than an hour.