Does anyone know if there is any truth to the theory that when purchasing a surface iron Tady 45 in particular, that not all of them swim the same? I've heard that you kinda have to pick through them and look for a certain one. For instance some 45's have off angled points, while other have straight points but a more caved in bottom. Does anyone know if this is true, and if it is which one's should I be looking for. Thanks

P.S.
My main target with the surface iron is yellow tail.

Henry Ortega

thats an anglers secret man...just pick about 10 of them of the rack and hold each one up and examine them very very closely. 1 out of 10 usually are different. these are the ones you want. Beleive me this secret is a BIG help.

I don't know a secret to picking them off the rack. But I have had several guys tell me over the years that they get them, make a few casts, and if they don't swim, they cut the line and chuck them in the garbage. The A1 is my favorite surface iron, but the Tady 45 is a close second. Killing stuff on iron is one of the more enjoyable ways to fish.

i was told to look for the ones with wide hips. they're suppose to kick better.

Aaron
Gimme

Not just wide hips, but offset ones. The more assymetrical the better.

Amish Ed
You Can't Catch it again if
it's Dead!

Cross-Over Bait Co.

A couple years back, Tady started to make all their jig molds only from masters that produced ones that swam. Some stores might have a few of the varying old ones way back on their racks still. For the most part though, you'll find jigs that all look alike and swim equally well--check the Tady stamp--same place on the jig each time. I do remember when it was a pain to find a real kicker. No prob with that now.

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k, they still make faulty ones that swim better than the 'good' ones, because i just got some new ones. You are looking for a straighter edge on one side. most tadys look like this: (). you want the ones that look more like this: (].
Wow i dont know if that makes any sense to anyone out there but if you think about it thats what it kind of looks like. Its just a missed shapen one that has a straighter side than normal. this causes it to flutter and kick a little bit different with a little more action. try it out it will help.

Thanks for all the info. I'll pick some up and post my sucess.

Henry Ortega

Wouldn't the kick on the jigs with (], only kick good one way? I would think the ()jigs would have a better kick in both directions(side to side)?????

I'm heading to BOLA next month and have been looking for them also. I found a couple of older ones behind the "fresh" batch of new ones.......they have a narrower or more tapered nose with wide offset hips. I've also found that a hammered or "chipped" up jig has the same water displacement as a full sized jig, with a smaller and broken up painted profile....smaller looking with the real size action. Ask any serious iron guy and he'll tell you that his best jig is all torn-up and he is paranoid to lose it! We all have one or two of those!

Gerryjig out

I have one 45 that has a rusty hook and half the paint is gone but its the best jig in the box. Has caught me more barries, calicos, and yellows than any other iron I have. Completely paranoid of kelp and boilers if I throw it.

Jake

And I have other jigs that are only good for decorating the walls of Joe's Crab Shack, like for hanging on an old fishing net as they don't swim at all. Maybe they'll trade for food.

I've heard a few times that there were only 2-3 really good "45" molds when Tady used 7-8 before the standardized ones. And as mentioned, there are subtleties in those that make a difference. At least it's easier to get in the ballpark.

Big Hammer Swimbaits-Hammerhead Jigheads
www.swimbait.com
Pro-Cure Scents
www.pro-cure.com