Tails

Buck tail, calf tail and squirrel tail. What are the differences, do they act differently in the water? Pop

Yes all are different in several ways. To start with Buck tails are stiff and calf a little less so and squirrels even a little less. Each is also different lengths. Some are higher cost and some easier to find in more colors. They each are different in the water, but there are so many different uses for tying too. Deer hair you can spin for a completely different look and even used for a body and shaved into shape with razor blade. Lots of flies made like that.

Also deer hair is hollow so that is another thing to consider.

Now I say all this, but personally I fish feathers about 99% of the time.

Skip

I use either kip or feathers when tying jigs for crappie and bream. Occasionally someone will want one in squirrel, but not often. That tells me that most pan fishermen have more confidence in a kip jig or a marabou jig. A kip tail when tied well is more durable. A marabou or hackle jig will have more pulsating action to attract fish.


I tend to stay away from bucktail unless someone wants a smallmouth or largemouth lure. I would think you can't go wrong tying kip or feathers myself.