Jerks are the best bait for pike fishing. Due to the simplicity of the design of such a bait, many fishermen prefer to make them themselves. This is a fairly simple process that does not require special skills, and all the necessary materials can be found even at home.
In the article, we will talk about this kind of jerk that have a zigzag game that resembles the movement of a snake.
Materials and tools:
- beech rail (thickness 18 mm);
- cardboard and pencil (to create a template);
- hacksaw, jigsaw;
- vise;
- file;
- grinding machine;
- lead (for remelting), a tin can;
- pliers, nippers;
- hooks, winding rings, wire for creating loops;
- paint, nets, brush and other paint supplies.
Manufacturing process
Step one. Create Template
First you need to create a template, it will be used in the manufacture of all subsequent baits. To create a template, the future blank must be drawn on cardboard, and then cut. You also need to pre-determine the installation location of hooks and weights.
Step Two Cut the workpiece
After the template is created, it must be circled on the rail with a pencil and cut. The choice of wood here is of great importance, since the game of the bait will depend on this parameter. In addition, the wood differs in density and this will be an important point when loading. The author uses beech as material.
After the workpiece is cut, it should be carefully processed, removing the sharp edges. This is done in a vise with a file. At the end, the workpiece is ground on the machine, while achieving maximum smoothness.
Step Three Bait loading
Loading is the most important moment when creating jerks. The bait game will largely depend on this parameter. Lead can be distributed in different ways, the weight can be concentrated in one part of the jerk, or in several. Experimentally achieved the necessary game of bait. For example, if you place two weights at large distances, the bait will have a very sharp and wide amplitude of the game.
If the load is installed in the bow, the bait will become more sliding and deviations will become longer. Even with the help of manipulations with the locations of the goods, it is possible to establish the "diving" ability of the jerk.
For loading in the abdominal part of the bait, holes of a suitable size are drilled, it is important that they are symmetrical.The load must be clearly centered on the axis of the jerk.
To drill the bait to the desired depth, a piece of adhesive tape or electrical tape can be glued to the drill. Now you need to melt the lead and pour it into the drilled holes. So that the workpiece does not burn, the wood can be moistened.
Ultimately, excess lead is removed, and the installation site of the sinkers is carefully sanded with sandpaper.
Step Four Varnishing, hinges and painting
To protect the bait from moisture, it must be impregnated with varnish. To do this, Jerky is boiled for about 3 minutes in varnish and dried.
After that, you can make loops for attaching hooks. A steel wire 1.2 mm thick is perfect for these purposes. Screws with a minimum length of 2.5-3 cm should be twisted from it. Next, holes should be drilled in the bait and the loops should be planted on epoxy glue.
Painting consists of several stages. First, the blank must be coated with white paint. For these purposes, you can use an airbrush or acrylic aerosols. The latter can be bought at a hardware store.
After white, the workpiece must be opened with a brighter shade, in this case it is yellow.
Further, if you need to create strips, you can impose a grid on the jerk and so on. It is desirable to paint the lower part in bright red color, so the predator will respond better to the bait.
Eyes are drawn with a brush or the tip of a stick. First you need to put a drop of yellow, and then inside it drip with black paint, this will be the pupil. To give even more realism, the bait can be decorated with sparkles.
In conclusion, several layers of varnish are applied, each new layer should be applied after the previous one has completely dried. A minimum of 5-6 layers of varnish should be applied to the bait.
That's all, the bait is ready. With proper assembly, such a jerk will have a game with a deviation amplitude of about 20-30 cm.
