Splitting Swimbaits

I have an issue with my swimbaits (for RF) splitting near the head. The issue comes from the large lead "shank" pushing into the bait. I have been trimming off that part of the lead head but is there an obvious solution I am overlooking?

Never to late to learn.....

I bought a bunch of jigheads from Andy1976 and asked for no collar. They turned out great

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what are you using to trim them? I have the same issue and was thinking of using the dremel to shave some off but I don't want to breath in any lead particles. 

I've had that problem, usually with the big shad head jigs on swimbaits that are a 2 color pour with one color making up a strip on the top of the bait. I try to be careful when threading them so that I am putting the hook deeper into the bait below the seam.

Just some large dykes. Takes a few snips but works fine

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I stopped "pre-rigging" my swimbaits because of this.  One day when I'm not lazy, I'll cut/grind the collars off my jigheads and just superglue them. 

I never pre-rig them and haven't had the problem.  I use Andy's jigheads without any modification with Big Hammers. 

what are you using to trim them? I have the same issue and was thinking of using the dremel to shave some off but I don't want to breath in any lead particles.

use a small hand file, that wont throw lead anywhere it will just drop. no breathing it in that way...

I had the same problems with the swimbaits splitting along the sides of the large lead shank. Now I use a soldering iron with a thick tip to melt a hole in the head of the swimbait before inserting the hook. Similar to pre-drilling the holes in hardwood before inserting wood screws to prevent cracking. They seem to split less this way.

I believe if you have the one that has the collar,you have to boar out the bait a little bit to allow the jig head to fit without the splitting the plastic bait.
I use a piece of copper tubing to achieve this


Tim

They shouldn't split if they were made right. If they are not poured with the correct temp and timing they separate. Never had a swimbait of mine split.  Been thinking of adding a hole to my swimbaits that would accept a collar. 

what are you using to trim them? I have the same issue and was thinking of using the dremel to shave some off but I don't want to breath in any lead particles.

You should be able to use a pair of dikes or wire cutters. That's what I do. I cut the collar off right next to the head, pulled it down, and then melted it off on Cameron's.  Was a bit difficult. 

what are you using to trim them? I have the same issue and was thinking of using the dremel to shave some off but I don't want to breath in any lead particles.

You should be able to use a pair of dikes or wire cutters. That's what I do. I cut the collar off right next to the head, pulled it down, and then melted it off on Cameron's.  Was a bit difficult.

Not a big deal. Only need to do a few at a time. yeah its kinda hit or miss. Had an issue with some big hammers.