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:confused:Is there a rule of thumb on how long to have your Feathers, Fur, whatever, trail behind your jigs? I know I've heard people talk about "short strikes", then someone else will say you need longer length of your Feathers, Fur, whatever to give the jig it's action. So what's the right length?:confused:
To each his or her own actually. Lots like a short tail, but I like a longer tail and don't really believe in short strikes so much with crappie. Now if your after bream then yes they will short strike and even bass sometimes will and people use a trailer hook on their spinner baits.
Personally I just go to a over all shorter, smaller jig if they are picky, but feel you catch more active fish with a longer tail as it will have more action.
However your question, no rule and just what you like.
Now if your making hair jigs with kip tail then most of the time it will be short as you don't have a choice except near the end of the tail.
Skip
perfectly said skip
Ihave been told to keep the tail twice the gap of the hook. Ask me if I follow that rule and I will say NO. Some patterns I think work better with a long tail and then others with a short tail. Some of those rabbit strip patterns break this rule while some of the woolie worm patterns have very short tails and and break the rule in the opposit way. IF they are appealing to you they will catch fish. Most generally you won't kill a deer if you don't have confidence in your rifle. You won't catch a fish if you have no confidence in your lure.
Redman
With me it's more a matter of the material. Some feathers just have longer fluff. Unless I'm building a small jig for a purpose lots of mine get longer than average tails. I carry scissors in the boat in case I get the urge to do surgery on one for whatever reason. Trim the butts for the feathers whenever they need to be shorter.
Thanks Guys
It's always reassuring to hear another thought pattern on the same subject.
Personally I look at Skips or Ships and try to make mine look like theirs . I think they are the best looking jigs out there ..Can't go wrong there.......:D
Thank you. Most of the time it is what you have confidence in. My Kip tails are a little shorter than my marabou. I use a general guideline that the tail is about 1/3 the size of the jig but 99% of the time I just eyeball it. Remember the old Brylcreme ad. "a little dab will do you. "Quote:
Have confidence and just have some fun.
Skip hit it right on the head!!! Redman the only time I've ever heard twice the gap is in fly tying, and only then on certain patterns.
Fatman
Fatman not to start a agrument but my teacher a master tier told me that ago time ago. He would tie more jigs in a year that you and I will tie in 5 years and I tie alot. I will agree with Skip to each his own. revisit my post and you will see that I said I don't follow that rule. I just want to make pretty jig that catch fish. And they do!!!!!!
Redman
I like shorter tails. I fish both hand tied jigs and plastics. For me I use feather jigs with a shorter tail when I'm delaing with finicky or more inactive fish. When they're really active and biting I use plastics (Rocky Tops mediums mostly) for the bigger profile.
