Just starting ?

[Straycat]

I'm just starting to collect materials to tie some jigs and have a few questions. What size thread would be good to start with? What size bobbin holder,large or small,or is that personal preferance? Does anyone use fake fur or is natural materials better? Any help or info is appreciated.Thank you

[OKSTATEjiggy]

Welcome to Crappie.com!

I use 210 Ultra Thread. Bobbin size doesn't matter, but I prefer a smaller one. Natural and synthetic all have their applications. Starting off, you should get strung marabou in assorted colors and strung hackle in assorted colors. Tie on the tail first, and the tail should be about 1x to 1.5x the length of the hook:



Then tie on your body material (chenille, metallic tinsel chenille, etc...) and wrap it around the hook shank to the lead head, tie it off using the hand whip-finish (see the 3 ways to finish sticky at the top of this board) and put some kind of head cement or nail polish on the final thread wraps. And show us some pictures of what you made.

[skiptomylu]

Did you read any of the sticky messages at the top of this board that are for new people to tying?

Skip

[Straycat]

Yeah I read the stickies but did'nt see the answers to my questions.Maybe I just missed them.Thanks though and Thanks OKSTATE,I appreciate the replies.

[skiptomylu]

Your right as I thought the answeres were there, but I guess that was another post that covered this.

Thread I use mostly is 210 denier or 140 denier and the 210 I mostly use Danville Flat waxed and the 140 I mostly use Ultra thread. Lots use smaller thread, but on most jigs it's not necessary at all.

Bobbin should be what ever you feel good using. I did suggest in that sticky that what ever one you get it should probably be a ceramic type to keep the thread cutting down.

Personally I like feathers best and then hair of fur of some kinds, but feathers will always give more action.

Skip

[Straycat]

Thank you Skip,that helps alot.I have been looking thru threads and found some info I can use but hadn't found anything on bobbin and thread.Thanks

[skiptomylu]

Thank you Skip,that helps alot.I have been looking thru threads and found some info I can use but hadn't found anything on bobbin and thread.Thanks

Your welcome.

Bobbin is not one to skimp on for sure. I don't like thread that is not waxed and I have had bad luck with Uni 6/0 for sure. Some like it, but I hate it. Ultra in the 210 is also very good so if you stick with Danville and Ultra you should be good to go. I do like Ultra in the smaller thread better than anything else I tried including Danville as I am kind of heavy handed and break the thread too much. If I need a color bad enough and can't find it in anything heavier I will use 6/0 in Ultra.

Skip

[LedHed]

Straycat

Welcome to the jig tying world. A 140 or 210 denier should do you fine – smaller jigs use a 6/0 or 8/0. Tools are a personal thing – I like the ceramic bobbins – necessary, not really. You want a bobbin that is easily adjustable for tension, allows the spool of thread to turn smoothly, and the tube is burr free. If you have a local fly shop – a trip down there would be well worth it to see the different types of fly tying tools.

Fake fur is OK – real fur seems to be more tantalizing. Downside to most fur is the under hair (guard hair), gets in the way of your ties and you don’t get good binding.

OKSJ
Very nice tie.

[Crappiekiller3]

I prefer maribou and natural feathers and fur although I do like some
Flash a bou material. Because I'm a rod builder and I have 500 spools
of rod building thread in 5 different sizes I use that. The color range is
tremedous and as look as you finish up with head cement or hard as nails
you should have nothing to worry about. I've never had a problem with
my ties unraveling or coming loose after use. And by the way it's a whole
cheaper than fly tieing thread.

[OKSTATEjiggy]

Ledhead- thanks