First Ties...

These are my first jig ties. I guess the toughest part for me so far is getting "the feel" of applying the marabou and working with something so small. It's going to take alot of practice to gain consistency, but I think I'm really going to enjoy it...can't wait to try them out. Any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

This jig tying forum has been a great resource for getting started and I would like to especially thank Jiggin15. He pm'd back and forth with me regularly and was patient with helping select my tools & materials. These jigs were actually modeled after some jigs that he ties. Hopefully I can get to his level one day...Thanks Jiggin15.

Attachment 108838

Pretty nice jigs for first ties. Looks like jiggin is a pretty good teacher who has a pretty good student.

Looks Good.....Bring on the Crappie

Thanks for the jig heads, Curtis....these are yours. Now I'll have alot less chance of losing them.

Very nice for your first ties. Glad I could help out on getting you started. I had a couple guys on here give me some good pointers when I started. Them jigs do look a lot like these. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/08/epuvequn.jpg

Thanks guys, gonna try something in electric chicken next.

I thought they looked familiar. Many who start a hobby like this, turn into full time workers. Been painting all day....this 1,440 order kept me busy couple of days.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jig'n4Crappie

Thanks for the jig heads, Curtis....these are yours. Now I'll have alot less chance of losing them.

---

Those are some good looking ties. Take a few of your firsts and put them up for later on. It's cool to look back from where you came in a few years.

Curtis, now that's a bunch of jigs for one order! I'll probably be contacting you soon for some more. Don't work too hard...got to make time for catching slabs.

Thanks skeetbum, I will put a few back. Though I'm going to have to try a few tomorrow on High Rock to make sure I'm tying ok before making too many. I want to make sure they don't fall apart when eaten.

Here are a few more colors I experimented with this evening.

Attachment 108925

nice ties guys

jig'n4 good job for your first ties sir

looks good to me, keep on going

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jig'n4Crappie

These are my first jig ties. I guess the toughest part for me so far is getting "the feel" of applying the marabou and working with something so small. It's going to take alot of practice to gain consistency, but I think I'm really going to enjoy it...can't wait to try them out. Any constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

This jig tying forum has been a great resource for getting started and I would like to especially thank Jiggin15. He pm'd back and forth with me regularly and was patient with helping select my tools & materials. These jigs were actually modeled after some jigs that he ties. Hopefully I can get to his level one day...Thanks Jiggin15.

Attachment 108838

---

they look fantastic for your first tying job keep up the good work there.

I think they look great!

Thanks everyone for the positive comments. I haven't tried them out yet and already thinking about more colors to tie...this could get addictive!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jig'n4Crappie

this could get addictive!

---

Oh it's way to late for that!!! I have a feeling you are already an addict and do not know it yet or may still be in denial:yikes
They will catch fish for you. Now you will have to experiment with some hackle, kip tail and other tail materials. The chenilles are endless also. Glad I could help you out a little in getting your supplies and getting started. Just don't hold me responsible when you become a full blown addict.

They work! My son and I went to High Rock Lake today and taught them how to swim. Caught 3 between 11" & 12" along with 25 or 30 in the 6-10" range in just a couple hours. It was cool catching fish on something I made. You are right as I am already making a list for some more jigs from Curtis so I can paint and tie some more color combinations. This could get expensive....ssshhh don't tell my wife.

"ssshhh don't tell my wife."

Secret is safe with us. For a few brushpile coordinates. Pony up.

I knew I should have bought the graph with gps.

You are off to a great start, your work looks nice and neat. Welcome to tying and hats off to Jiggin15 :) Well done.

Really nice for your first ones, but if I may add a little something to help it looks like you may have cut the tail off on the bottom left chartreuse marabou and that is not something you want to do. Always get the amount you want to tie in and cut the length from the end your tying in. One other little tip I think should be told is something I am having a hard time telling for sure, but I think you tied in the whole feather stem and all. I take all the feathers off the stem to time them in because you will have better action from the marabout like that. I save all the tips where it gets too short to use with the length I am tying in a bag and will use them on flies later. I will at time use the stem on a jig if it's super thin and I think it looks good enough and will not hurt the action, but probably 95% of the time I do not use the stem. This is not some rule because there really are not any in tying jigs unlike flies where you need to measure the hackle to the hook and all that stuff.

So enjoy the hobby and good luck!

Skip

Thanks Stump Hunter, I appreciate your comment.

Skip, I think the problem with the appearance of trimmed feather is what you described. I didn't trim it @ the rear, but I am using the end of the feathers. This seems to work out for me sometimes (as in the 1st pic) with what I'll call a "good" feather that has a very small, pliable stem. However, other times when a feather is used that has a larger stem, I am getting the appearance of it being trimmed (as in the 2nd & 3rd pics). You are correct as I fished one yesterday with a large stem that had the appearance of being trimmed and it looked like a stick in the water with no action/undulation. Just to make sure I understand...you trim down each side of the feather stem, then form it from there. I made one attempt at that but it didn't turn out too good and the overall length of the formed feather was too short...maybe because I am using pin feathers? I appreciate the advice and please correct me if I'm not headed in the right direction.

Also, do these look too long? This a 1/32 jig with a #4 hook. I am gauging the length from a 2" Kalin Triple Threat Grub on a 1/32 head.

Attachment 109063Attachment 109064Attachment 109065

for your first ties i think they look great

nice work....

Thanks Donald & CrappieHappy! I'm learning a little more each time I tie.

Donald, looking forward to checking out you new website!

I could tell that feather wasn't cut. That tip, or tip(s), will move and flow more freely than any other feather out there.
If you cut a tip off and have a thick stem to tie in, its gotta be bulk bou and not strung. Ive never tied in a bou tip that had a stem any thicker than that of a neck hackle. Save you're time, they fish exactly the same. I promise.
You're a natural, of course with the good help of your buds n neighbors. You should be thankful. I cant see anything outside of fantastic about them. Hope to see some pics of those fish next time.
Great work, I'm taking notes.

Thanks Micropterus, I appreciate the info. You are right about the good help and I am thankful. This forum has been a great resource with a bunch of great people that don't mind helping others. I've done the bass fishing thing (including many tournaments and clubs over the years) and that is just something you don't get much of in that world..too much competition and money involved I guess. Thanks again and I'll remember the camera next trip. Take care down there in Louisiana.