Tying jigs and watching football...

[Crappieawlogist]

Hey all.....just started tying last week...I think I'm addicted...couple of questions for the experts..
1. I've read that too long of a tail will cause short bites/missed fish.....any of these two long?
2. I bought a buch of stuff (really cheap) called KinkyFiber...Anybody use it...what do you think of it? the first jig in the pics is tied with it and the red jig has some in it....
3. In general...how much is too much when it comes to Marabou? and how much trimming do you do?
and Last (for now)
4. How much of the marabou feather is actually usable? The last jig is basically from a bunch of scrap that was leftover....

Have a look at this first batch....anything you see that is wrong....lemme know..that's how I learn...

[STUMP HUNTER]

Your tyes look good. It is really up to the tyer as to how long you want the tail on your jig. If it works for you it's right. I try to match my jigs to the size that the shad are in the waters you fish. In the spring our shad are about 1" or so long and as the year goes they grow until fall when most will be closer to 2 1/2" to 3" or larger. Each lake is different and sometimes the crappie wants a smaller profile. If you match the tail length to the hook shank length you will be close.

[skeetbum]

Real nice work. The 4th one, blue and gray, really looks good to me. My tails are what suits me at the time, and shorter next time if I get a bunch of short strikes. Good job.

[short grub]

I like em all, good job, SH is correct, if they work and catch fish then the tails are the right size

I tie mine in different sizes and length so I have different ones as the reasons and mood of the fish change

I have never seen that kinky fiber

welcome to the fun hobbie of jig tie'n

again good job sir

[Donald@CrappieLogic]

match the hatch nice ties

[NIMROD]

Looks good except I would think long tails would make for more short strikes.

[skiptomylu]

First I don't believe a long tail makes for short strikes or missed fish as I have used some pretty long one. Also know a guide here that ties his on mostly and uses Craft fur on a 1/8 oz jig with small hook and uses the full length of that material. That makes a very long tail and he catches plenty fish.

I would say personally I would go longer than the red one and maybe a tad less for me. I have tied a lot as long as it though especially when I first started and still today I tend to go longer than most do. I have never had a issue with tails too long and some of my longer tails from back then I did very well with, but today I would tie them a bit shorter just because of what some think and I also think a not short, but no longer then the red makes for a balanced look.

Jigs look fine!

Good job,

Skip

[Fatman]

Look good to me!!! but the fish will let you know!!