[microtek60]

I dont know about the rest of you but I love to texas rig a worm. What I want to know is what you think about painting your weights to closely match you baits. I personally wont use a unpainted weight for some reason I think I get more bites this way. What do you think on the subject?

 

[Texas Bass Pro]

I have never painted my weights but if I was too then they would all be painted RED.

 

[hi steel basser]

I agree with you entirely, microtek. I prefer to fish jigheads and weights that are painted to match what I throw, but on the other hand, I have had alot of success with white. I don't know why. ??? As to the red thing, I think it makes a good hook, but if your presentation isn't on target, I don't think the fish care what color everything is. The primary factors in fish-catching are as follows: first, right action, second, right size, third, right color. My two cents.

 

[KeithsCatch]

I think if you believe that you catch more fish this way then you will. Personally, to me it is all about confidence in what you are using. Too many bass have made it over the gunnels of my boats over the years on unpainted lead colored weights for me to think the bass minded it.

 

[TampaCountryBoy]

I like the color matches for downsized fineness tactics, but I agree with Keith, it is about confidence and it would seem the numbers of Bass that have fallen prey to the old lead bullet weight would indicate presentation, water conditions and the Basses mode, probably mean more than the color of the weight used. But then, I do believe I have an assortment of color t-weights in various sizes.

One last thought, unless the weight is pegged there is a good chance the worm and weight are separated at points during the time the plastic is in the water. I believe the purpose of the Texas rig is to allow this to separation to keep the fish from feeling the weight and using the weight in throwing the bait. I may be wrong, but just some additional thoughts on this subject.

 

[hellabass]

I like to match my jig and bullet weights, never would use the silver

But I have never painted any weights, I just buy them that way, have you ever checked out the colors and finishes on the Tru-Tungsten bullet weights? I like them and that is about all I use, has anyone else checked them out?

 

[imonembad]

Those are sweet colors. I think the price is kinda steep when you can buy 25 for the price of one. I've fished both the painted and unpainted and I can tell no difference for real. My wife says I'm on a fishing budget so I guess I'll spend my money on something more definitive.

 

[Jared]

If yu want colored weights but dont wanna spend the extra cash on them... get a can of auto primer and then cans of whatever colors ya want.

Shoot the weights with primer. Let dry. Then shoot them with the colors you want. After they are dry to the touch, put them on a cookie sheet and stick em in a low set (200 or so degrees) oven and let them bake for 15 or so minutes. The baking, I have found, will help the paint stay on better. I have done this quite a bunch. I honestly dont notice much of a difference between painted and unpainted but I really dont like shiny weights.

Another thing you can do, not with lead though, only with brass and steel and other hard metal weights, is to light up a propane torch and hit each weight with the flame for about 10 to 15 seconds. That will "blue" them and kill the shineyness nicely. I actually prefer to do that rather than painting them. It's a lot less hassle.

Jared

 

[imonembad]

What do they taste like?

 

[KeithsCatch]

Sharpie markers will also work very nicely. Stuff stays on pretty good.

 

[Texas Bass Pro]

Sharpie markers will also work very nicely. Stuff stays on pretty good.

I heard the same thing but don't care for the smell.

 

[TampaCountryBoy]

Has anyone tried powder coating their worm weights? I have ordered some PC for my ball Jigs, but never thought about it for bullets. Fairly inexpensive, not real hard to use and comes in the standard colors we all probably use. You can also add glitter if you feel so inclined.

The neat deal is that absolutely by a freak accident, I was coloring a few jigs and made a small mistake. This resulted in a somewhat successful blending the color back onto the hook shank. This really brings together the hook and plastic giving the bait more eye appeal, at least to us.

Don't forget your wives nail polish; it works as well, especially if she does not catch you.

 

[imonembad]

I've messed with the powder coat its a B. because you have to rig up some kind of a jig to keep the holes clear of the paint and you need to hang them when baking the paint to keep them from sticking to everything. But if your willing to do the work I think it will work. Its just not my cup of tea I don't have the Patience.

 

[TampaCountryBoy]

I've messed with the powder coat its a B. because you have to rig up some kind of a jig to keep the holes clear of the paint and you need to hang them when baking the paint to keep them from sticking to everything. But if your willing to do the work I think it will work. Its just not my cup of tea I don't have the Patience.

I hear ya, my friend. I do not go to all that trouble with my jigs either. I normally just heat them with a butane torch, dip them in the powder, pass them back through the heat and hang them on a old refrigerator rack. It does take some practice to develop the right touch to make sure the color flows out right. But it keeps me out of trouble.

when I was asked nicely ??? to stop using the Kitchen oven. I was forced to come up with a fairly cheap drying rack to hang baits from during the refinish process

I cut (4), 6" legs out of wooden dowel stock and attached them with 2 washers and screws at the corners of the old refrigerator rack. I then took a 2x4 drilled holes the size of the dowel stock and glued the two together being careful I kept the rack fairly level. This provided a stable footing and added another inch and 3/4 to the height of the rack. If I need more clearance I just take a couple of bricks and put them under the 2x4 footing.

I did see a ESPN show where a BASS Pro demonstrated something similar but I believe he used spray paint and a small airbrush process to add color to weights. He did protected the line holes by plugging them with toothpicks. He would then stick the toothpick into the Styrofoam block with enough room between the weights to allow the paint to be applied. He would come back latter and add a clear epoxy final coat for durability.

I can see a similar process for the worm weight Powder Coating process.
- You would plug the holes,
- heat with the torch,
- dip in the powder,
- shake the excess off -- only once so you ain't excused of playing with it, (Jarhead Joke),
- pass it through the torch again
- and finally stick it in the Styrofoam to cool.
- I guess you could then spray on a light coat of epoxy sealer if you wanted to.

What ya think Drew, does that sound like it would work?

 

[Shannon]

Just to add a little for the painting processes you guys are talking about, with the tungsten weights I've been told to take a stainless steel toothbrush (found at local hardware store) and rough the surface before applying primer and paint.
Personally I buy the Tru-Tungsten painted weights because of the confidence thing. I carry un-painted tungsten and lead weights for practice and fun fishing and I do believe it makes a difference on pressured fish.

 

[microtek60]

I am getting a cheap powder paint gun so that I can do the weights and jigs in bulk. But I also sell them so it is worth it for me.

 

[imonembad]

The bigest problem that I have is not melting the weed gaurds off of my jigs. It really is not that enjoyable to me. Its to much like work.

 

[microtek60]

try keeping your oven at 250 degrees and keep them in for 20 min.

 

[hellabass]

Those are sweet colors. I think the price is kinda steep when you can buy 25 for the price of one. I've fished both the painted and unpainted and I can tell no difference for real. My wife says I'm on a fishing budget so I guess I'll spend my money on something more definitive.

They are more expensive, but thats because they are tungsten, in the long run you will not be able to buy lead any more, so we are all going to have to get used to paying a bit more for sinkers, but you should try a pack, as they make a world of difference in feel and sensititivy over lead

 

[KeithsCatch]

Not to disagree with you but I remember hearing not going to be able to buy lead back in the mid to late 90's. There was a big stink about it then too and we started to see Steel weights instead. Well, we still got lead and I just am one of those guys who thinks $1or more for a tiny piece of metal called a weight is kinda rediculous.

Oh about the smell Tex. I have been using Sharpie on lures for a long time. Never seemed to bother any of the fish I have caught on it. I touch up ratle traps all the time with them out on the water and the cast right back out within seconds after touching them up to catch another fish.