Jig Heads

I had a couple Big Hammer and other softer swimbaits split at the head because the collar and barbs of the 4oz jig heads I was using was too thick. This is before they even touch water. Anyone know where to buy jig heads with thin or no collar and barbs? Or how to prevent the swimbaits from splitting?

Tim

I can make them with no collar for you. You can also shave them with a utility nice and some wire cutters. I can also grind them thin and you should use some super glue.

Just take some wire cutters and snip off the baths top and bottom. Then use a little super glue where it butts up to the back of the head.

Layered baits do that on occasion. The tips given are good ones.

Get the little tool that will bore a hole so the shaft of the jig head will enter with out splitting the plastic. Its used to make holes for rattles I also use it for the shaft of the jig head.  www.pprattle.com

I can make them with no collar for you. You can also shave them with a utility nice and some wire cutters. I can also grind them thin and you should use some super glue.

Andy makes great jigs head... and somehow I don't snag as much as others when I use them --> my personal preference

Dont really have the spliting problem ever. But Mend-it will put that swim bait back together without a problem. Get some and put it in your tackle box.

Ryan

I always just cut the split part off and re-rig the bait. Never seem to have problems with them splitting a second time.

I cast most my heads without collars too.

To use you baits with the heads you have you can do a couple things.  Melt a hole in the front with a large nail or soldering iron.  Or use a hollow tube (a flux brush works well) to cut a hole in it.

You can fix your split baits with a drop of super glue in the split or melt it back together with a lighter.

Matt

Saw on a site where they used a zip tie to close a split scampy back on the hook shank. I figure it would work on a swimbait too. Also endorse the idea of heating a nail and bore it out a bit before putting it on the hook.

If you are buying swimbaits that are old they will not be as durable or hold together. I use 4oz heads all the time and over the last 4 years have had maybe 6 Big Hammer swimbaits split at the forward part. I never melt a hole in any of the baits I use. I do always wet the barbs on the jig head before inserting it into the swimbait. Working the jig slowly into the bait. Where are you buying your swibaits at? I just learned of a guy that bought old product on Ebay that was no good and basically fell apart because they were old.

If you are buying swimbaits that are old they will not be as durable or hold together. I use 4oz heads all the time and over the last 4 years have had maybe 6 Big Hammer swimbaits split at the forward part. I never melt a hole in any of the baits I use. I do always wet the barbs on the jig head before inserting it into the swimbait. Working the jig slowly into the bait. Where are you buying your swibaits at? I just learned of a guy that bought old product on Ebay that was no good and basically fell apart because they were old.

I bought these Big Hammers last week at Outdoor Pro Shop. They came out of a brand new box that I opened. So far, I had 2 split on me.

write to the company, I had the same issue a few years back with a batch of baits which split.  They ended up replacing them for free.