soft plastic wire grip idea for jigs and hooks

[SenkoSam]

Jigs with collars to hold soft plastic lures tear them and they start slipping down after a few fish or when used again. You have to either glue them to the jig or replace them. Here is an idea I came up with 10 yrs. ago.
First off, I only use no-collar ball head jigs and those that do have collars I compress with pliers, cut around the hook and wrench the lead off.

What you'll need to make a wire grip:
pliers, wire cutters and 24g floral-arrangement wire (less than $2 at Walmart for 35 yds)
The grip looks like an L-shaped wire that swings into the lure holding it up on the jighead.

After holding the wire to the eye tie base, I wrap it around once and cut one side off close to the post and compress it close so there's no end sticking out. 
Bend the wire into an L shape that will swing into the plastic and hold it tight without harming the lure one bit no matter how many fish are caught.

If I want to rig a mini-stick, I bend the wire until I want to use the grip again.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Hey Frank, long time no see. Nice to see you posting those DIY tips again.

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[SenkoSam]

Ya know SS, that's the nicest thing anyone's said to me in a long time! Much appreciated.

BTW, I use the same wire to hold plastic trailers on the hooks of my skirted jigs:

Wrap the wire around the hook but not too tight. You want the trailer to have the maximum action in any direction.
The, bend the L shapes as shown and put the ends into the trailer.
I pour my own trailer shapes and prefer them hanging off the curve of the hook rather than up the shank.
Note: I got tired of paying for Uncle Josh #11 pork frog trailer and made my own coping the shapes in plaster.

Note: I found the wire L a great way to rig a Kut tail worm to a very light jig (1/32, #2 hook). I whip that sucker all over the place and catch everything with it.

[apenland01]

Awesome, thanks for the tips!

What do you use to melt your leftovers into new baits, like that bottom picture?

[SenkoSam]

Amazing! You're the only one that's ever asked the question!

It's not only left overs that get joined but a part of one that seems a unique fit to the part of another. A candle flame is easier than using a lighter because you hold the end of one part over the flame for 1 second and the other for the same brief time. If the final lure is not perfectly straight, I take a straight-edge blade, cut it clean through and do it again.

I would recommend a soldering iron (mine is battery-powered) to smooth and strengthen the seam. Sometimes rolling the seam briefly over the flame works alright as long as the plastic doesn't drip. I'll post some examples.

[FlatsNBay]

You know Sam, they look so good in the pics that I assumed they were originals. Nicely done!

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[SenkoSam]

Thanks, man, they are originals. Yeah, when I can't fish, I strive to create new shapes with new actions. I have to admit it though: the actions of various lures I bought years ago, I thought about when making certain shapes and rigs. examples:
The wacky rig mini-stick reminds me of Senko's action on the drop. (pumpkinseed sunfish photo)
The mini-stick also has the action of a Zara Spook as it zigs & zags back&forth at different depths.
The forktail mini-grub reminds me of the Fluke's tail twitches.
Note: fish of different species and sizes bite small soft plastics. One design caught a catfish, crappie and sauger.
The multiple creations shown have proven to catch fish.

[apenland01]

I've tried melting fluke tails and worm bodies, but the candles seem to leave a black soot.  I need to find a clean burning candle, so I can get a gel to stick together and then solder the edges.

I really appreciate you posting these pics!!!!

[SenkoSam]

You won't be sorry! In fact any of my designs you can copy if you have the parts laying around. They are proven fish-catchers!!!

I've tried melting fluke tails and worm bodies, but the candles seem to leave a black soot.

Melt the plastic at the flame's base. I had the same problem and now I can use any candle.

[apenland01]

Thanks for the advice!  I'll try a few more and post pics once I get them put together in a couple weeks...