First tie

I decided I want to make my on bucktail jigs for both bass and crappie. I picked up a few packs of discounted $1 jig heads to practice with and some sewing thread. All I had on hand to seal the thread was gel type super glue so I’ll be getting something better to secure the thread and give a better look. Other than the glue to seal the thread give me your honest feedback on these you won’t hurt my feelings. I’m currently just using a pair of needle nose vise grips as my jig vise until I buy one. One jig is dark brown and pink bucktail with black head and black thread. The other is orange with chartreuse bucktail with a white head and red thread.Attachment 320267Attachment 320268


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They look pretty good for first's. But get you a cheap vise to start and on that will get you started for 10-12 dollars. Get a bobbin and some 230 denier thread. You will find on buck tail you really have to bare down on wrapping your thread. That buck tail will slide out if not wound pretty tight. I use Sally's hard as nails clear polish to seal and it does pretty good. One you tie a few and if you decide to stay after it then you can start investigating better and more expensive tools to work with.

​Good first effort.

1st tyes look great

you picked some tough materials to learn with....

I agree with Cray. For firsts they look pretty good. For tying using vise grips for a vise they look really good. Again, a vise can be had very inexpensively to see if you are going to stay with it. I must warn you, IT'S EXTREEMLY ADDICTIVE, and can get expensive, SO BE WARNED.
That being said, a starter vise about 10.00 a couple of bobbins, (I like the ceramic tipped or tube), sewing thread from wally world works great, like Cray said in the Cosmetic Dept at wally world get some Sally Hansen "Hard As Nails" Clear fingernail Polish for glue. Works great. I started with just plain jig heads but if you want to paint them then some powder paint. And your set for a life time of jig tying.
As I said, it's addictive, it can get expensive if your not diligent on your spending, but most of all it's fun. And nothing like cathing a fish on a jig you yourself created. Good luck and tight lines.

As Jamesdean said, this is addictive!!
Now that you have been warned, they look good compared to my first ties!!


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Thanks for the advice on the hard as nails. I plan to get a vise soon but just wanted to try first before sinking a lot of money into it.


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Nothing wrong with that! Looks a lot like my early jigs from many years ago. The more you tie the more you learn, but don't stop learning from good sources.

If you enjoy it learn all you can and there is a lot to learn, language alone is hard to pick up, but I learned a lot of mine from FAOL the fly tying lessons they have on flies. They also use the same materials we do, just a lot more different materials, but good stuff.

Skip

You are hooked, enjoy!

Real nice ties, especially for first try. A small tool that will help a lot is a needle tip bottle for the Sally’s. A few bucks and it lets you apply a small amount right where you want it. While you’re picking up sally, pick up some acetone in the same department, nail polish remover area. Thin the sally 50/50 and put it in the needle bottle and you’ll never have to replace it. Had mine for years. Some of my jigs have caught lots of fish and not come apart. Learning the right tools and materials will get you the same. Kip or calves tail also has a look very similar to what you tied with a smaller profile. Welcome from Central Florida, you’re in for a heck of a ride!

They look good....good first time job

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Looks good for your first tye and you working with a non-vise. Time at the vise is the only way for you to get better in this craft.

You have some real creativity and your jigs look good. There is a wealth of info on this site and these samples here are a good start. Cray said something that made a very important point. I tie lots of buck tail here in my local region for walleye and bass folks and his comment on tying them tight is imperative to good buck tails. I use kevlar thread on them because of tightness I want. Also think that there are some better materials for crappie. Just my 2 cents, keep up the good work and welcome to a life of addiction to many good years of fun on and off the water dreaming of your next creation. Tie on my friend.

Those will work. No doubt about that. Enjoy the hobby as you are like the rest of us who tie jigs..."hooked".

Wait until you catch your first slab on your own Jig. Awesome feeling.