How To New hooks on irons

samuri · Sep-19-2009, 08:15 PM

I have a bucket full of jigs that need to have the hooks replaced. Any tips or tricks on how to unsolder the ring, install a new hook and resolder it back up? I would love to put some jigs back in the rotation as they kick and catch fish like no others but the hooks are wasted. Thanks in advance.

johndtuttle · Sep-19-2009, 09:11 PM

Don't. Put assist hooks on them a la "butterfly style" and you won't lose them if they touch bottom plus you'll hook just as many fish. Size the single assist hook (no need to use two) big enough so that it is slightly wider than the jig body at the level the hook hangs.

calbrewguy · Sep-19-2009, 09:18 PM

That sounds expensive

iconpyro · Sep-19-2009, 11:59 PM

Cut all the rings off using a bolt cutter.

Go to roscoinc.com and order rings in the appropriate size. 8 for big jigs with a 6/0 or 5/0 treble. 6 goes with 4/0 or 3/0 and a 5 can go with 2/0 or 1/0. Buy a simple butane fueled torch from home depot/lowes. You will need 56% silver and some silver flux.

Get something to hold the rings, like a roach clip and nail it to a wood so that its holding the ring with the hook in midair. put the ring/hook/jig all together and bend the rings to a close using some needle nose pliers. Heat up the ring and melt the flux. When flux melts and the ring turns orange use the silver and bond the ring. When its nice and complete, dip it in water. if its not as smooth, use a dremel to smooth it all out.

johndtuttle · Sep-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calbrewguy

That sounds expensive

as compared to buying your own welding stuff? lols.

South Bend · Sep-20-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconpyro

Get something to hold the rings, like a roach clip

sitonmyface · Sep-20-2009, 12:22 PM

I wouldn't do anything a la butterfly style.

johndtuttle · Sep-20-2009, 12:30 PM

o noes! something new!

These are obviously diamond jigs but all the same principles apply.

As you can see as well you can simply add a quality split ring (like an Owner) and the hook of your choice too. Re-welding on a ring and hook is certainly an option. Split rings allow you to change hooks again and again. Assist style is the relatively "weedless/rockless" option.

All of the above rigs are used on 200' Tuna and 100' AJs on the east coast and in Panama. They'll work anywhere in the world when quality components are used.

image courtesy of Kilsong.

Kg1 · Sep-24-2009, 07:59 AM

I've been doing this with my rockfish gear with great success. The single hooks are easier to pull and the chord works better than a swivel to keep the fish from flippin free.
It is also a lot less likely to get hung up on the bottom.

Plus add a curly tailed grub, a scampi twin tail or a hoochi and presto a new old favorite jig is born...

Rubberhook2 · Sep-24-2009, 10:26 AM

Alot of hooks are now being made in an open eye type design that allows you to replace the hook without replacing the ring. Check out the Owner Stingers. I add them to my wahoo jigs to increase my strike to hookup ratio...