How to remove paint from the eyelet of a Jig Head

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How to remove paint from the eyelet of a Jig Head.

Original post date: 11/18/2018
Post revision date: 9/22/2025

While there are many ways to remove paint from a jig head’s eyelet, this method has proven most effective for us.

While some fishermen use a sharp hook point to clear paint from a jig head’s eyelet, we strongly advise against this dangerous practice. One slip can cause a painful injury that may require a trip to the hospital.

For a safer and more effective solution, we recommend using a jig head with its hook point broken off. This method is particularly well-suited for clearing the smaller eyelets on jigs like our Panfishpro Pro-Quality Jig Heads or those used on the Panfishpro Nextalgx Rigged Jigs.

Anglers who fish in snag-heavy areas like rocky bottoms or submerged timber will inevitably break a hook. These broken hooks make the perfect tool: simply take the blunt end where the point snapped off and push it through the clogged eyelet of your jig head.

These photos illustrate this technique using a jig with a broken hook to clear the eyelet of a Cubby Mini-Mite Jig. After grasping the broken jig, we push the hook wire through the painted eyelet. A slight back-and-forth rocking motion with steady pressure is all it takes to pop the paint out. As you can see, the result is a perfectly clean eyelet, with the paint removed in one piece.

We also advise against using a knife to scrape paint, as a slip can cause a serious injury. When using the safer broken-hook method, it’s important to match the hook size. For instance, to open the eyelet on a Cubby Mini-Mite Jig (#8 hook), you should use a broken #8 or #6 hook, as anything larger probably won’t fit. For convenient storage, keep the empty tubes from your Cubby Mini-Mite Jigs or Panfishpro Nextalgx Rigged Jigs to hold these broken-hook tools. I keep a few in my tackle bag for this exact purpose.

Let’s recap:

  • Safety First: Avoid using a knife to scrape paint. Like a sharp hook, it can easily slip and cause a nasty cut.
  • Match the Size: Use a broken hook that’s proportional to the jig you are cleaning. A #8 hook eyelet, like on a Cubby Mini-Mite Jig, clears best with a broken #8 or #6 hook.
  • Easy Storage: The empty plastic tubes from your Cubby Mini-Mite or Panfishpro jigs are perfect for storing these broken-hook tools safely in your tackle bag.

We hope this demonstration helps you safely clear the paint from the eyelets of your jig heads, regardless of the brand. If you have any questions or would like to share an alternative method, please feel free to contact us. We welcome your feedback.

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