Trending in Micro-Jigging...Tungsten Beads

[Slip Sinker]

Tungsten slotted beads… who’s using the versatility of the beads in their Micro-fishing methods and How?...

[Kelly Peterson]

Duh, if I'd just read before asking see that you have tied it on 1/64" ounce/#10 hook jigs.

[Slip Sinker]

...yeah they are tiny... most of my hits come on the 1/64... only tied a few on 1/32... here is a pic against a dime

[Kelly Peterson]

Ken, could you tell me and others how you make the Spring Cricket keeping in mind I’ve never tied a fly. But do have the tools and stuff to do it this winter.

 Thanks 

[Slip Sinker]

thanks Kelly...im' right in the middle of doing that but in video form... i should be able to get some video together in a few days... im trying to learn some new video editing software... so far alot of experimenting and some lame footage... lol!

[Kelly Peterson]

I have a ton of Mustad 3261 light wire Aberdeen hooks in sizes 6, 8, and 10. They bend easily and I've made jigs from them by bending them in normal jig shape and adding split shots in the corner of the bend. Painted them with nail polish. they work great because of the sharp, thin wire hook and longer shank. I lost all of them this summer so need to make more. Think these slotted tungsten beads would be just the ticket and a 60 degree bend or even no bend would work slick.

Now all I need to find out is the sizing and what it equates in to ounces. Any idea what a 4 mm tungsten bead head weighs?

[Slip Sinker]

...will probably be trying the 4.0mm first .004 oz over 1/64 oz

[Allen Morgan]

In all honesty, your best bet is to buy several sizes of hooks, and several sizes of beads, then mix-and-match until you find what works for you.

[Kelly Peterson]

In fly fishing Allen is brass the most popular color for their use of Tungsten bead heads?

[Allen Morgan]

I'm not totally sure.  I think it's actually Black for tungsten.  Bare nekkid tungsten is a silvery-colored metal, like most metals.  I'm not sure which one is more popular, but I seem more Black beads being sold that are tungsten.  I do know you can get tungsten beads in different colors, depending on where you get them.

Personally, all of my "brass" beads are actually Brass.  I do have some Pearl White and some Chartreuse Tungsten beads; the rest of my tungsten beads are black.

[Kelly Peterson]

I see that some or most of these beads are soldered in place. Was wondering if super glue will hold them in place? Of course would suspect if tying up something then just the thread and tie job will hold them where you want.

[Kelly Peterson]

Well just got in some tungsten slotted beads and 60 degree bend #10 jig hooks. Also purchased some already made 4MM Tungsten jigs.

Here is what's in the above picture. #10 60 degree bend heavy duty diiachi jig hook which weighs 1.7 grains. The pink jig is 1/64 ounce with #12 hook, which weighs 6.0 grains.

The other jig is a recently purchased Tungsten 4 MM jig, which weighs 14.2 grains so slightly over 1/32 ounce. Guessing that hook is size 16 or so. Very ting and don't know how that would work on bigger mouthed fish.

The beads from top to bottom are as follows:

3.8 mm weighs 6.7 grains so just over 1/64 ounce. With hook 8.7 grains.

3.2 mm weighs 3.4 grains so guessing about 1/100 ounce. With hook 5.1 grains.

2.8 mm weighs 2.4 grains. With hook 4.1 grains.

2.4 mm weighs 1.3 grains. With hook 3.0 grains so that would be 1/128 ounce.

Some observations the 3.8 mm bead slide easily on the #10 hook. The other beads will go on but the barb will get crushed. The smallest 2.4 mm bead there may not be a barb left after sliding on.

Can't see myself using anything smaller than the 3.2 mm bead/#10 jig hook. Maybe with a #12 hook, but really don't want nothing smaller, I think?

I can see myself using two different sized beads on one hook just to use up the smaller 2.8 mm and 2.4 mm beads.

[Allen Morgan]

Another trick to add a little weight is to wrap some lead wire around the hook shank and shove it up into the bead.  This helps to stabilize the bead, and adds a little more weight.  Also, using some wire (or a lot of wire) will help add weight as well.

Using two tungsten beads is also a good way to add more weight.  Different colors and/or sizes will help vary a pattern or color scheme.