Thinking of getting into tying

I make my own jigs, powder paint, etc. but haven't gotten around to tying. Admire the work many of you do and would appreciate any advice you can give on getting started.

I thought it would be best if I went ahead and got at least the middle of the road stuff to work with since I tend to gravitate there anyway. It costs me more on the front end but saves me from having to trash what I have after buying more more quality equipment.

Also, where would you go to learn from scratch as I do not know anyone close by to learn from.

Lastly, do you think jigs you tie yourself catch more fish or do you do it just because it's more fun to catch one off one you've created. I have to admit, I like catching fish off jigs an powder coat but what you guys are doing is a whole different league.

A little insight into what exactly you are wanting to tie and fish targeted would be helpful. But, to get started go somewhere where you can at minimum get your hands on a few vises to see what you want there. Stuff like hackle pliers, whip finishers, etc. you can get by with cheap stuff or buy a starter kit that already has all that in it. Most starter kits don't have a real high quality vise in them and are usually geared toward trout fly tying with the feathers and stuff you get in the kit.

Youtube is also your friend. Look up types of tying you are wanting to do and go from there.

Good Luck and welcome to the addiction!

To me it is enjoyable. You are limited only by your imagination and the materials you have on hand. One a hand tied jig if you miss a fish then you keep on fishing, unlike a soft plastic that has to be repositioned on the jig head more times than not after a strike. Hand ties will catch a lot of fish before they too worn out to use

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

To me it is enjoyable. You are limited only by your imagination and

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Your wallet!

It is really enjoyable and can be very addictive.

Redge is right about the wallet:biggrin

My Dock is gonna start shooting back as I am tired of all those little round holes you dock shooters are putting there.

I am safe I have never been near a dock anywhere close to Ohio. If I can't shoot one without causing damage to it I quit shooting it.

[QUOTE=

Lastly, do you think jigs you tie yourself catch more fish or do you do it just because it's more fun to catch one off one you've created. I have to admit, I like catching fish off jigs an powder coat but what you guys are doing is a whole different league.[/QUOTE]

"Necessity is the mother of invention" Most of the jigs I make are used for a particular purpose and cannot be obtained commercially. The jigs are custom tools of a particular color, size, or weight to meet my needs for a particular situation.

Run Run Run away from the darkside!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL Yeah you can get in deep with tying materials. If you look at the top of the jig making forum you'll see a bunch of skickys and check this one and the others, this is one for someone new to tying
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/jig-t...m/49489-tying/

Read the stickys and if you get stuck on something just give a shout! and you'll get the help you need.

Guys, thanks for the posts. I want to make some crappie and bluegill jigs, flies, etc. Wanted to make sure I got off to a good start and figured this was one of the best places to go. I think I figured right! Thanks again!!

If you have an Orvis shop near you they usually offer fly tying lessons for free. They start you off with the basics but the tips and techniques you will learn will be well worth your time. There are lots of tricks that most people don't know that will make tying more enjoyable and more effective. I have been tying for 20 years now. I joined a fly fishing club here a couple of years ago and until then I did not know how much I didn't know. LOL You can also pick up an Orvis basic fly tying book and teach yourself. They teach a basic wooly bugger. All the skills involved in tying a wooly bugger applies to tying jigs. The neat thing about the class is that you get to try lots of different equipment and tools without it costing you anything.

Tying jigs is the best hobby that you possibly could have after 54 years of tying jigs I still enjoy a quiet time at the bench enters nothing better than catching fish on something that you have made with your own hands.

buy a wharehouse first so you have some place to put all the stuff you`l end up with lol!!!!