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I would like some crticism and assistance on improving my hair ties. How do you guys get your collars so neat? Too much hair? That sort of thing. I realize it's gonna be a struggle for me. I am the type guy who can frame a house just don't ask me to trim it or paint it. BiggrinAttachment 331541
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It comes with time. Just get a good thread and make sure is tight at the start, a thread that flattens will help with the cosmetics. I don't really think crappie care that much about the looks, just the fisherman.
Well let me just toss out a few things. First never cut off the natural ends of hair. Next it helps to have a nice collar with no barb and maybe a ball or flair at the end of the collar, this will help control the thread and help keeping the hair from spinning around. Don't over do how much hair to use. Also get a set of hair stackers so you can get them even on the end your tying in and will cut to length, never cut the real ends.
Personally I tie maybe 95% of all my thread neck jigs using Red thread.
Let me add to GrumpyLoomis, the first few wraps on Deer hair should be kind of loose so it doesn't over flair.
Skip
Calf tail or squirrel tail would probably be easier to use then what you are trying to do with bucktail. Marabou feather and Mallard flank feathers are another really good option for panfish. After my last season I am a very big fan of the flank feathers. You might want to finish the heads with a swivel & blade. I use 3/0 flat wax to build thread bodies.
This is how I do mine with buck tail,,,,great stuff just don't overdo it , like skip said,,,
Very nice. Love that thicker body larger profile.
Skip is right about over tight, I mean tight as in buck tail has a tendency to pull out if it is loose. It does need to be tight and you will find that fine line.
You really do not need that much bucktail, it is a thick hair. my 2cts. :twocents
Thanks for all the help. Not sure if these are much better but I tried to put together the comments. Not looking for showroom quality but I wouldn't mind them looking neat.Attachment 331594
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Those will work!
I tie bucktail a bit different than some, and I’ll try to tell you how. Small thread base, usually red, and select a small amount of hair from a stacker used to organize the tips evenly. Put this on the shank and put a couple of semi tight wraps on and move the hair around the shank til it sits like you want. Do overs on this part are common. I try to do this part pretty close to the head as possible. Once I like the distribution of the hair, I pull the first wraps a little tighter to bind it better and add a couple more. If you still like it, throw a couple of half hitches and add a spot of Sally’s or cement. Then I work my way down the hair a little, not too far, and this will help control the flair and pull it back toward the shank. So this to taste and whip finish with at least 4 turns. If it comes out right, your collar should be between 1/8 or 3/16” wide.
I sometimes get some hair that goes too far forward and lays on the side of the head. I trim this with a single edge razor before I get too far along in case I slip and cut the thread, generating a do over. You’ll only do that a few times before you learn how to trim and not get out of hand.
Hope this helps and keep after it, your work is already looking better. Several of us will give you hints, you pick what works for you and your style comes from that. We need fish pictures too.
What Skeetbum said.
To me, those roadrunners are some of the hardest jig heads to tie.
I have never thought about hitching half way through. Most of these are setting up for blue gill & shell crackers. But pictures will happen. Thanks for everyone's help.
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For the smaller stuff I find the calves(Kip) tail works easier. Bucktail can be kinda stiff and the kip is very easy to work on 1/32 #6’s I tie. Just input.
Or if I want hair I probably would choose either Squirrel or Arctic Fox for that kind of head and hook size, but usually I fish Marabou with that head. Kip while is super good, it can also be very short so you have to choose tails with long hair, but the Fox and Squirrel are each longer. For my money the Kip and Squirrel should be interchangeable for a jig I would think.
Also if you can find some Southern Buck tails they will have a more friendly hair to tie and smaller diameter hair. For me I like it a lot more than the Northern Buck tails!
Skip