Learning to cast

I've started casting some jigs this afternoon. Sometimes I can't get the barb area filled in. A couple times when I heat the hook it works. Anyone got a tip? I casted bullets but this is a slightly different thing.

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=D60B1A979841B1D8!11349&authkey=!AJNFlDENvsYg0oY

A "bad" one https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=D60B1A979841B1D8!11350&authkey=!AFE_icTqRnthj84

I am not an expert but here are my thoughts / questions:
 
Is your mold nice and warm? (I'm assuming so, with the number of jigs I see there)

Are you using a do-it mold? Have you tried angling the mold one way or the other? You may be getting a bubble of trapped air from the seal the hook is making..

What are you using for the release agent?

The mold is warm. Hopefully warm enough. I called my buddy and he asked the same question. I am not sure if its warm enough because I heard some people place them over a stove or something like that. I heated it by placing it over the pot.

I am not using any release agent.

The mold is a Hilts.

Oh and yes did try tilting it

Maybe get the lead hotter? What type of lead is it? I've only poured jig molds a couple of times but have never had that issue. Isn't there something about "soft" lead and "hard" lead?

I tried heating up the lead too. The lead was given to me by my friend. He uses it to cast bullets and I don't know what type it is other than free. It comes in these blocks and it's lead, and it seems to work mostly good. Just that back part. The jigs are definitely fishable but I'd like to nail down that one flaw. I think that there is some trapped air or something going on in that area. What I will do is contact Hilts and probably post the photos on another forum to see what's up. The next lead session will be with the expert so maybe he knows the trick or what I am doing wrong.

I wonder if there might be just junk in the lead too, that keeps it from pouring as well. Mine seems to pour better when I get most of the crap that floats to the top out of it. Good luck either way.

Can we see a picture of the inside of your mold? Where did you mind that mold too? I've been looking for a 6 oz one.

The mold needs to be hot!! heat it up with a small propane torch and if you use a small lead pot place it on top over the molten lead. and pour in as fast as you can in one pour  SAFELY .The first couple lead heads will most likely not have the barb, just remelt them an do it again. Once the mold is nice and hot it should work fine.

I do have a propane torch and will try that.

You can get the mold here http://www.hiltsmolds.com/

Call me crazy, but I would prefer the ones without the barb.  The barbs always split open my soft plastics.

I can respect that. It's part of the reason why I say these flawed ones are ok. The deal is I make some jigs and trade them with two other friends. They probably would like that filled in.

I can respect that. It's part of the reason why I say these flawed ones are ok. The deal is I make some jigs and trade them with two other friends. They probably would like that filled in.

Yeah, I suppose if your trading them they gotta be perfect.  I should get one of those molds and try to replicate your barbless technique.  It would be interesting to make a couple and try them.