Making Jigs More Durable?

So I'm still new to tying and have been having a fair amount of success with a few different patterns, so much so that I've actually worn out a few jigs. The spot where I tied and cemented near the head is holding well, but the body near the tail starts getting pulled down and sorta comes untwisted.

Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Is there anything I can do when I'm making my ties that will make my jigs last longer, or ideally forever?

I'm probably catching around 100 crappie before they start falling apart, and it seems to happen worse/faster the more I have to use my forceps to get the hooks out. I am gonna try and not use the forceps as much, which I'm not sure yet, but they could actually be more of what's causing my problems than the actual fish...

Any advice you veterans have would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks,
Cody

If you are catching 100 crappie per 1 jig I’d say you are doing something right. Just saying

if I caught 100 fish on a jig of mine, no sleep tonight i'd get to tying and smiling.--shu

I agree 100 fish on one jig, I think that’s pretty darn good!
Mine don’t last that long.


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100 fish on one jig is a lot better than most.....good job

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Welcome from Alabama. The solution is to duplicate that jig pattern and tie some more flies. 100 fish on a jig is great. In my opinion, if you put any hardner on the jig it will make the chenille hard and also less desirable to the fish. I would think you want the body or the feathers to be soft so the fish hold on to it and give you time to set the hook.

Mike

I'm thinkin' the only thing you need after a 100, is a hook sharpener and keep casting. lol Keep up the good work.

I agree with shipahoy41. Too hard of a jig body and the fish don't hold on as long, thus fish missed.

Use this instead of pliers. Attachment 320220

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I just wish I could catch 100 crappie!

I remove my jigs easily with a tool a friend of mine in LA made for me.....works great. Attachment 320221

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Right on! This is why I love this site - thanks for the info. I'll try out some different devices for removing the hooks and of course have some spares for when they do finally give out.

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Originally Posted by trypman1

I just wish I could catch 100 crappie!

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I just wish I could get 10- 15 crappie at one time...

Mr Crappie has a fish pick tool also from Buck knives.

Attachment 320281

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jamesdean

I just wish I could get 10- 15 crappie at one time...

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To clarify - those 100 are spread out over 3-4 weeks. I figure on average I do get around 15 on each outing (mostly throwbacks) and I go 2 or 3 times a week. On a bad day I may only catch 2 or 3, on a good day it might be 30 or 40, and nearly every time I go - the majority are under 10 inches.

Make sure everything is good and tight....


Not sure if you've watched this vid that I put together on how I tie but here it is....

https://youtu.be/gYQdXfoQdL4

Thanks silentkilla - my process is pretty much the same, but after watching I think I may not be getting them as tight as I could/should be. Great information, very helpful!

First thing is never use forceps by grabbing the jig body, grab the hook only with that thing and some of the items list here look good for helping that.

As for making you jigs more durable, just tie them right and they should be fine. I have had more than a couple guys tell me they caught over 300 crappie on a single jig, personally I can't seem to hang on to one long enough to see, lol! I can tell you that even tying little Roadrunners with marabou tail will catch 125 crappie before they have eat the tail down to s stub, but were still biting it when retired.

I only use a mix of Clear High Gloss Lacquer and MEK mixed about 50/50 and I don't even measure it. I never use super glue except on a very few special time. One is when I tie rabbit strips on, but not at the know at the head, I use it when I tie in the first part and I do a whip finish at the back end of the hook where I tie it in and a touch of super glue. Other than things like that on the hook shank, I never use any super glue.

If I am tying a thread neck jig I use Softex to cover the thread at the head for that and it's very strong glue that stays clear.

Skip

Lets see a photo of one of your jigs

Everything said so far is spot on. I only have one thing for you to try, and this might not fit the way you do things or come out like you want it to. Before you begin to wrap the chenille , lay down a line of thicker sealer or glue to hold that section of chenille in place without having it on the top making it hard to the touch. Make it part of the foundation if you get my idea. I’m with everyone else though. 100 fish on a jig........Hush!

Thanks for the video that was pretty col for someone that has never tied before.

Ditto Skeetbum’s suggestions, I am new to this site so maybe stepping in inappropriately but: applying superglue to the thread base you’ve wrapped tightly on hook after chenille is tied in to the back (but before wrapping chenille around hook ) will greatly improve the strength and also keep body from rotating on hook. This is commmon practice with many trout fly patterns. You can “paint” the threadbase or apply the superglue to your thread with a needle before wrapping. The Bass Pro in my town has blister packs with about 6 mini superglue containers per pack in their flytying area. Pro tip: Super glue is often best applied with no spousal unit in the house.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Meandaddy

Ditto Skeetbum’s suggestions, I am new to this site so maybe stepping in inappropriately but: applying superglue to the thread base you’ve wrapped tightly on hook after chenille is tied in to the back (but before wrapping chenille around hook ) will greatly improve the strength and also keep body from rotating on hook. This is commmon practice with many trout fly patterns. You can “paint” the threadbase or apply the superglue to your thread with a needle before wrapping. The Bass Pro in my town has blister packs with about 6 mini superglue containers per pack in their flytying area. Pro tip: Super glue is often best applied with no spousal unit in the house.

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SPOUSAL UNIT???? LMAO!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by "G"

I remove my jigs easily with a tool a friend of mine in LA made for me.....works great. Attachment 320221

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

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G- What happened to the rest of the fly swatter??!
u2s