Thread: Prep Work

I don’t have quite the right head for my tiny plastics as most anything with a barb or big rise just tears the little ones up quick. And this isn’t new, even Richard Gene uses it. I wrap a bump on the shank of the hook for the body to hang onto, and it works pretty good. Never tried dental but I think it would be a bit too coarse. I was down to just a few so I had to tie some up in a few of the head styles and sizes I use. And of course, the mind wanders at the bench with other materials laying around. So I wound up tying a rubber leg jig that the bluegill hereabouts like pretty well. Then my new kiptail caught my eye and I had to tie one of my Shad jigs. Don’t know why cuz they’re done for the season….I think. Anyway, here’s the pics

TLE, good idea. I used to have a ball collar mold that did that but didn’t use em much and sold it. Like your approach.

MCG, no secret. It really ties like most any other but you have to be careful of the tension on the thread. Too tight and it flares like deer hair and too loose and it will pull out. I tie the rubber in a little at a time with the longer ones in tight to the center and what I add over it is trimmed a bit shorter. Chenille or thread collar, both work. I try to keep my thread collars as small as practical but they get a bit longer sometimes anyway. To start the rubber in, capture it tight close to the head and relax the tension as you wrap back a little and the legs will point back instead of straight out sideways. It takes playing with it some to understand, I started and still use spinnerbaits skirt, lots cheaper as most I got for free. This one has sillilegs, fine ones for a nymph I think. Holler if I’m clear as mud.

Micanopy, I have some screw locks but haven’t found em small enough for the baits I use. The little ones in the pic are #8 hooks and a 1/43 head, the bigger ones a #6 hook. Thanks for the offer and I’ll keep it in mind for now.