Looking at maybe making some small ball head or shad dart hair/fur/whatever jigs for crappie/other panfish. Sizes around 1/64-1/16 maybe 1/8oz max. I was wondering where should I start?
I would need to know whats the best place to buy materials from?
Maybe a kit is out there to get me started?
Preferred brand of jig, or are they pretty much the same at that point?
Maybe just worth it to buy X amount from members here?
Tying and catching fish with jigs that you made yourself is nothing more than amazing. There are many people here, myself included, that make jig heads, and check out the thread above for supplies to get you started. Just let it be known once you start you will be addicted.
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Thanks. This isnt going to be my main gig, as Im a bass fisherman mostly. This is just yet another form of fishing I can do now, and interested in possibly making my own... I dont want to spend a lot but I also dont want to be wasting a lot on buying new jigs when I loose mine etc.
Crazy Angler probably has everything you need - kit - materials - jigs. If you get to talk to Robert - you will get some great advice....
Check out YouTube - lots of how to videos.
I primarily fish for Bluegill, Redear, and now Green Sunfish. I like the chubhead and roundhead style jigs (1/48th to 1/24th) with a #6 Eagle Claw Lil' Nasty sickle hook (black chrome).
You won't see an immediate savings on rolling your own - maybe 20 or 30 years down the road you might LOL.
I top started as a bass chaser,started tying buck tails,then trout, now crappie.Is their any other way.After you catch your first fish on your handtie no one else will do.Just not the same.Have fun with it.Don,t make a job of it.LOL your neighbors will,want one,your soninlaw,ectLol.
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Crazyangler,Barlow tackle,Jannsnetcraft,some good fast delivery folks.
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Thanks fellas
"this isn't going to be my main gig"
We'll remember you said that. :biggrin I did too once and now I've got about a 55 gal drum full of different chenilles, powder paints, lead ingots, hooks, etc.... The way I see it, it's better to have a vice like that than meth mouth.
Crazy Angler is a great place to start. You can get a basic vise off of ebay or amazon for cheap. Good pair of small scissors or even a utility knife, bobbin, whip finish tool (not required but worth every penny), and sally hansens to lock the thread down and you'll be rolling!
I agree with what most people have said on here so far. I started tying about 6 months ago. I tie just crappie jigs. First I started with hackle, then to marabou and thinking about trying hair next. It is very addicting. Before you know it you will have 50 different chenilles and same on tail stuff. I pour my own heads and all that now. Started out as a hobby and once I got a little better at it I have got a couple people I tie for now.
As far as where to buy. I have bought a lot from Crazy Angler very good people to deal with. They will have everything you need. They have a couple beginner kits put together already. You will need a vice, scissors, bobbin ( a good one), whip finish tool, bobbin threaders save some time, fly head glue, chenille, flash, and some kind of tail material.
As far as thread goes I use the 210 thread. I also use the clear mono every once in a while.
Skip on here is very helpful also. He has gave me a lot of good pointers. I am sure he will chime in sometime soon.
Any questions just ask. Like everyone has said there is no better feeling than catching fish on something that you have made.
Be careful what you try as this is a very addictive hobby and will suck you into the crazy world we live in, lol!
Skip