Tungsten jig for ice fishing

Which jigs are the most catchy for winter fishing?

Mormyshka is an artificial bait used in winter due to the lack of natural bait. Tungsten is considered the best, as it has minimal dimensions and maximum possible weight. The specific gravity roughly corresponds to the weight of gold, one of the heaviest metals on earth. Homemade tungsten baits are used for fishing in fast currents and great depths.

Lures of this type have the following advantages:

1. Stable behavior in fast currents and high degree of immersion.
2. The bite improves, since the size of the bait corresponds to the small representatives of the underwater world that fish feed on in winter.
3. High strength and durability thanks to tungsten material.

In turn, baits are divided into two types: moths and non-moths.

Moths

Moths are called bait rigs. This is a classic of winter fishing. The essence of using moths is that additional bait is placed on the hook. Most often, it is used as a bloodworm, used with a tungsten jig.

Moths are used successfully when fish activity is low. The bright ruby ​​larvae of the dragoon mosquito look very appetizing on a hook, and cause the same excitement in predatory or peaceful fish. But moths also have disadvantages - poor preservation, tenderness and inconvenience in the nozzle.

In winter fishing, fishing with maggots mounted on tungsten tackle, instead of the usual bloodworms, has increasingly begun to be used in winter fishing. Maggot has significant advantages compared to bloodworms. It withstands frost perfectly, can be stored for a long time, fits perfectly and stays on the hook.

In the absence of live moths and maggots, amateur fishermen use artificial substitutes, divided into two types:

• The pellet, which has a rich range of colors, is the most popular artificial bait. This is a replacement for live bloodworms. To imitate it, pellets are placed on a hook, like beads.
• A drop is a type of pellet and has an elongated shape. Successfully used to imitate maggots.

Mothless

If there is an active bite and the fish are caught using any bait, then successful fishing is possible with the help of a reelless bait - a type of baitless tungsten tackle. Luck is achieved by skillfully playing with bait at different depths.

Tungsten reelless jigs have several popular varieties:

1. Ant. The shape of the tackle resembles an ant. Used for fishing for roach or bream during the most active seasons. When fishing, you need to make small vibrations with the rod. A reelless tungsten jig will be perceived by the fish as an ant caught in the water.
2. Boat. It is used for catching peaceful fish at a depth of up to 2.5 m. To attract, the active wiring technique is used. It comes in a variety of colors and additional attachments.
3. Donkey. Its shape resembles a quarter of a coffee bean. Works great in a variety of conditions. In this case, the presence of a current does not matter. This type of bait is painted black and has one hook.
4. Damn. Most often used for fishing for pike perch. In addition, it is successfully used for catching other types of fish. They come with three or four hooks.
5. Goat. Many fishermen consider it a separate type of gear. In fact, this is a type of devil. If there are 3-4 hooks on a devil, then no more than two are used on a goat. Goat is made from copper or brass. Refractory metal is not used for its manufacture. The main application is ice fishing with the appropriate fishing technique.
6. Uralka. A popular type of bait for predatory fish. Outwardly it resembles a curved drop. A classic artificial bait in the amateur fisherman's collection.

Characteristics of winter jigs

Conditions for fishing in winter differ significantly from summer fishing. Their assortment in summer is much more diverse, but in winter the most attractive is the jig.

Winter jigs are small in size. They are painted so that the fish can see from afar. They are also supplied with different attachments.

Tungsten jigs are more popular in this market, since they are made from this material and have greater weight and small dimensions. They are suitable for certain fishing conditions involving deep water and fast currents.

Lures with bait are considered a classic method of winter fishing. Bait is attached to them, for example, bloodworms. It works well when the fish doesn't want to bite. They can be purchased at any fishing tackle store. But you can do it yourself.

There are two types of such jigs:

• “pellet” is a widely used bait for winter fishing. Made in a round shape, has different color shades. Suitable for fishing for perch, roach;
• "a drop". In appearance it resembles a pellet, but has an elongated shape. Very effective for fast retrieves when the game has its own form. This game attracts perch.

Lures are catchy when the fish are active, then they don’t really pay attention to the quality of the food.

Nozzle-less jigs have their own modifications:

• “Uralka” is a classic, every fisherman must have it;
• “Devil” is a bait with three hooks. Used when fishing for pike perch;
• “goat” - looks like a devil, made of brass or copper. Has two hooks, suitable for catching any fish;
• “ant” - represents an ant in appearance, makes amplitude movements with the help of a fishing rod. this jig is used in winter for catching bream and roach;
• “Donkey” - looks like a coffee bean cut in half. It is black in color and has one hook.

Materials and shape

To make a jig of a new shape, it is necessary to make a matrix - the basis for pouring metal. Its material can be polystyrene or organic glass. Hardwood will also work.

Using a chisel, a recess is made in the selected material for the shape of the future product.

Lead is used in the manufacture of the boat. There is enough of it in any fisherman’s garage. A piece of lead must be melted over a gas burner in a frying pan. Use a spoon to remove all the slag during melting.

Then pour this molten lead into the prepared mold and let it cool. Next comes the processing of the workpiece with a file and abrasive materials.

Read How to put maggots on a hook

To make lead, you can also use suitable blanks from this material. Using a hammer, chisel, or metal scissors, we separate pieces of lead that are similar in size to a jig. Lead rods with a diameter of 3-4 mm are suitable for this.

Size, weight and color

This bait is a product made of different metals, has a unique shape and has different artificial and natural baits on the hook. The choice of jig depends on the fishing location and the type of fish.

They are all divided into:

• light - weight from 0.3 g. They are all kinds of pieces and plates of metal and have a more delicate playing;
• heavy - made of lead and tin. They are suitable for fishing in severe frost, when the hole quickly becomes covered with ice. The heavy bait quickly sinks to the bottom and is not carried away by the current;
• super heavy - usually made of heavy metals. They are used for very weak bites.

Having high sensitivity, the fish hears even very faint sounds in the water. She is attracted by the nature and shape of the bait, which is similar to the food item.

An experienced fisherman constantly monitors the work of the bait. For example, many bites occur at the time when it begins to come off the bottom.

Fish can notice a small piece of metal even in the dark. It is believed that perch loves brass, roach - silver and black. And bream prefers red and black.

When choosing a jig by color, you need to remember how it plays in the water. Each bait of each weight, color and shape should have its own game.

Jig hook

The placement of the hook matters. An incorrectly soldered hook will interfere with proper play and does not guarantee a reliable hook.

It is better to use a single-flex hook - the tip in such a hook is located in the same plane as the fore-end.

The most catchy ones come from the hands of the fisherman, only forged hooks must be used. They are stronger than circle hooks.

Perhaps color plays a role in jigs without attachments. The tip must be very sharp; the hooking force, and therefore the thickness of the fishing line, depends on this.

What are tungsten jigs?

A tungsten jig consists of a fishing hook and a weight made of high-density metal. It is easy to find in fishing stores. But there is one important drawback - the high price. Therefore, this gear is often purchased for sport fishing.

Knowing the advantages of combining large weight with small size, fishing enthusiasts have mastered the production of tungsten jigs at home. Many fishermen have achieved such skill that homemade baits are superior in catchability to industrial models. To make cheap tungsten jigs, all you need is patience and a simple set of tools and materials.

Under what conditions are they most effective?

The greatest effect from the use of tungsten jigs is obtained during winter fishing. In winter, the fish behaves passively, hunting for miniature underwater objects. This tackle is great for catching capricious and sluggishly biting fish.

In addition, tungsten jigs of the Diskus brand, manufactured by Diskus, weigh twice as much as lead, with small dimensions. This allows for effective fishing at great depths and fast currents.

Dimensions

Gear has a gradation of sizes, depending on the fishing season and the type of fish. The ball size of a tungsten jig is 2-6 mm for catching perch in winter.

Homemade tungsten jigs for pike perch fishing have an oblong shape and the largest size among winter gear, and are painted white.

The largest, compared to winter gear, are summer tungsten jigs in the form of drops. The droplet sizes vary: in diameter from 3 to 5 mm, in height from 8.5 to 9.5 mm. In the warm season, the drop turns red-brown, and pike perch, perch, and crucian carp bite well on it.

Weight

By weight category, gear is divided into light, medium and heavy. When making a tungsten jig with your own hands, on average, they adhere to weight gradations of 0.7 g, 0.85 g and 1.8 g.

The weight of the tungsten jig is selected for specific tasks. It depends on the strength of the current and the depth of the reservoir. The deeper the reservoir and the more intense the water flow, the more weight the bait should have.

Why are jigs made of tungsten? Due to their high specific gravity, baits have significantly smaller dimensions compared to lead baits. As a result, the flow of the current has less influence on the action of the bait, small sizes are more natural and attractive to fish.

Design Features

In addition to ordinary baits, the range of products now includes elite tungsten carpe diem jigs. They have a flattened olive-shaped shape with a gold coating. The equipment allows the installation of a fluorescent pellet, which makes biting a particularly exciting activity.

What kind of fish are caught?

In summer, a jig made with your own hands from a tungsten electrode is good for catching pike perch, roach, crucian carp, and perch. The color of the artificial bait is important here. Red-brown shades are preferred. In winter, bait is used to catch crucian carp, perch, and carp.

How to make a tungsten jig with your own hands

You can easily make tungsten jigs with your own hands using the following technology:

• Cut off a fragment corresponding to the shank of the hook from the tungsten electrode.
• Cut the heat shrink tubing slightly longer than the insert.
• The rod and shank of the fishing hook are inserted into the heat-shrinkable plastic tube.
• In the flame of a candle or lighter, heat-shrink and compress the assembled structure.
• Apply a layer of superglue along the edges of the tube.

The result of production is a tungsten jig, quite durable, which can be used in both reel and non-reel versions.

Materials and tools

Making tungsten jigs with your own hands requires equipment with the appropriate materials and tools:

1. tungsten electrode;
2. fishing hook;
3. plastic heat-shrinkable tube SSD;
4. lighter;
5. a grinding machine with a cutting disc for cutting the electrode;
6. Super glue;
7. protective glasses;
8. bench vice;
9. thin disk with diamond coating;
10. set of files.

Where can I get tungsten for equipment?

Tungsten is a widely used material. The refractory metal is used in incandescent light bulbs and is sold in the form of wire. In addition, tungsten for jigs can be found in workshops engaged in argon welding. Refractory welding electrodes are suitable for the manufacture of tungsten jigs.

The simplest technology for soldering a tungsten jig

To begin with, you need to cut the material to the desired size on a cutting or grinding wheel. In this case, you should protect your eyes with glasses. Then hold it in a vice and drill a hole in the tungsten blank with a drill with a diameter of 0.7-1.5 mm. Drill at 500 rpm using emulsion. Any oil is suitable as an emulsion - from vegetable to machine oil. Some even use milk.

Soldering tungsten is a serious problem because it cannot be soldered with tin-lead solder. There are many videos on the Internet showing the intricacies of the technology, how to solder tungsten bait. They describe two soldering methods:

1. copper plating by electrolytic method followed by soldering the hook with tin-lead solder;
2. dipping a red-hot workpiece into hard solder of the PSR type, using a specialized flux, followed by soldering with hard or tin-lead solder.

Before soldering tungsten jigs at home, cut the groove for the hook with a thin diamond-coated disk. Insert nichrome, or better yet, tungsten wire into the drilled hole to prevent soldering.

What to consider when making

It is necessary to take into account many nuances of the technological process. The main problem is the frequent breakage of the fishing line due to the sharp edges of the hole in the tackle.

How to make a tungsten jig and avoid loss.

To avoid unnecessary losses, they use a method such as inserting a plastic cambric into the hole of a tungsten jig.

In addition, it is necessary to avoid overheating when soldering the copper-plated layer of a tungsten bar to prevent peeling.

Methods for making jigs at home

Making jigs with your own hands for winter fishing enthusiasts is an activity more for the soul than for the wallet.

There are several ways to make it at home:

• sawing is the easiest way. Rods and tubes from various non-ferrous metals are sawn into small pieces. Then the hooks are soldered, processed, cleaned, and painted;
• forging. Lead is suitable, a sample is made using a hammer and anvil. Further processing is carried out with a file, the hook is soldered;
• soldering - a shape similar to a jig is made from thin colored plates. A hook is inserted and soldered inside. This entire shape is processed with a soldering iron. Here you just need to turn on your imagination.
• Good baits are made from colored wire, which is twisted into a spiral. An important element after soldering is processing with sandpaper and a felt wheel until it begins to glow “silver” or “gold”;
• casting - this technology for making jigs at home is the most complex. Only tin and lead are used. All work begins with preparing a mold for pouring molten metal. Clay, brick, sand, wood are used. First prepare the mold in this material. Be sure to cut grooves along the edges of the mold to allow air to escape when pouring. The molten metal is poured into a mold, cooled, removed, and processed with metalworking tools.

Read How to choose and equip a fly rod

Casting jigs in sand

To begin with, select fine dry sand; it is better not to dig it up or pour it over. A mold is made from wood or other material and carefully pressed into the sand. This is filled with molten metal. At the same time, insert the hook, then process the frozen form.

Casting in wooden blocks

Wooden forms are short-lived, so you can have time to make several baits. To make round baits, you will need two wooden blocks with already prepared notches. They need to be knocked down with small nails so that these molds match. Pour molten metal through the hole made in the end, not forgetting to insert the hook. All that remains is to process the almost finished product.

Painting and decorating jigs

Fish can see colors. The color of different baits plays a role. Most fish see small objects at a distance of a meter. And trout and asp notice moving objects from a decent distance.

Painting gives good results. It is believed that colored baits are very necessary when the bite is weak.

Roaches love black and white. Perch - red, black. This appears to be related to the fish's food database.

To color jigs, they need to be prepared. Sand, degrease with acetone or gasoline. Then they paint with different nitro paints, preferably several times - this is the fisherman’s taste.

How to tie tungsten jigs correctly

Three categories of knots have been developed for how to properly tie a jig with an eye:

1. Rigid tightening knots covering the ring with strong fixation. Recommended for use on thin lines.
2. Loop knots that slide freely along the line loop are used on reelless gear.
3. Hook knots, which are a compromise between loops and rigid knots. The strength is higher than on a loop, but lower than a rigid knot. Similar units are also used for attaching jigs without loops, with a hole.