Crappie Jigs

[TMan]

Yeah, you think one or two are bad, you should smell my tacklebox and the shop! We put a clearcoat over this years version so it's not quite as evident. Good luck!

TMan

[Joshmn]

I looked some of the Phelps’ Tick jigs and found they are just a copy of the Demons that Custom Jigs makes. I choose to buy the jigs from the people that have had them for several years. I think that Custom’s paint is a lot harder and they glow brighter too. Some times the copies are just not the same.

[EconGuy]

Joshmn,

The shapes are similar but the jigging properties are not. The Phelps Tick weighs 1/32 oz in either size 4 or 6, while the Glow Demon weighs in at 1/14 oz for the size 4 and 1/25 oz for the size 6. Both the Phelps and the Custom jigs lures are good lures, I have a number of both kinds. I would not characterize the Tick and the Glow Demons as "copies".

EconGuy

[hanson]

Joshmn-

I would hate for you to miss out on catching some fish because you will only use the 'original' of a certain product.

Keep in mind that the lure shape maybe the same but the glow properties between the 2 companies may be way different. The Phelps product may glow more or less than the Custom Jigs and Spins product. On any given day, the crappies may prefer one over the other so it is good to have that option in your tackle box. Either way, they are both dynamite lures on Upper Red.

Northland also makes a jig of the same shape too.

If you really want to learn a little about glow- CrappieTom posted an awesome article in the Crappie/Sunfish forum.

Christmas Colors Crappies

[pikerliker]

Mjen I'm with you as far as not knowing (or frankly caring) that much about brand names of jigs. I look more for shape and color. I had luck on red last year with a white jig/purple head. It was a horizontal jig type that was a "flat saucer" shaped jig with a small head. The body of the jig was white and the head portion purple. I would hook the crappie minnow through the head and jig it that way. I also had luck with this same jig on crappies and walley's at night on the rattle reel just letting the minnow do the work.

~piker

[kelly-p]

As far as I am concerned Phelps Tackle did one thing different then other tackle companies. When the walleyes collapsed and nobody cared about URL the other tackle companies wouldn't even talk to us. Phelps Tackle came and rented fish houses that nobody ever fished in, some of the fish houses never even left shore. Phelps Tackle handed out hooks and said, "pay us if you can some day, if not, no big deal." When URL had very few friends Phelps made sure we knew we had some friends. When very few people cared,,,, Phelps cared,,,Nuff Said!!

[TMan]

Thanks for the kind words Kelly.

Econ Guy - you obviously do your homework, I'm impressed, you're a very knowledgable purchaser, and you are correct!

We purposefully paint these jigs with a rubber coat, paint hardness is irrelevent to us on these lures since their primary color is the color of glow. For some of our jigs it is important, such as non-glow colors where the shimmer and shine is a product of the paint colors and clear coats. The rubber allows the paint to last a very long time (No chipping) and you can add more glow powder to the paint with our method of painting than some others (Too granular for airbrushing thick), hence our substantial glow and durability. Not real sexy to the consumer, but they work great.

As a side note, it's very difficult at times to find out who first puts out a product unless it is very revolutionary, trademarked, or design patented, but most lead-head jigs of any style are not. And, I assure you we have not been in business over 30 years by copying others, although many have copied us (What "Soft bodied Floaters" or stand up jigs do YOU buy?).

There are lots of good companies with good products and designs, and certainly Custom Jigs is one of them, in fact I buy some of their real small jigs and plastics for Gills. But to say one only buys "Original" tackle manufacturers product these days is pretty close minded, I'd ask who you are buying your round lead head jigs from, the original maker??? I doubt it.

Happy Holidays

TMan