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The final step in making jigs is to paint the metal head in whatever color you prefer. Of course, the jigs cast from pure tin or an alloy which is mostly tin can be left unpainted. The silvery appearance is attractive to many fishes. However, if you cast your jigs from lead you'll have to paint them since the lead turns black and unattractive. You can use lacquer, enamel, or special paints such as the celluloid enamels. If white bucktail, feathers, or nylon was used for the body you can paint the head white. If yellow was used you can paint the head yellow, and so on. Combinations of different colors can also be tried. To finish off the jigs many anglers also paint on a pair of eyes. These are not necessary to catch fish but they do give the jigs a professional look. Paint the eyes with a small pointed brush or use the nail-dipping method described in Chapter 2 on fresh-water plugs. Most jigs range in weight from ? oz. to about 2 ozs. The smaller ones are best for fresh-water fishing and for casting with light outfits. The heavier ones are more suited for salt-water fishing, trolling, and casting with heavy fishing tackle. Jigs are so easy to make that every fresh- and salt-water angler should make molds or buy molds to turn out a good supply and assortment of these lures to be prepared for the fishing season. 8 Metal Squids
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