Turkey Feather Jigs

I am a very green beginner at tying. My focus is for Crappie and Panfish.

I was given an assortment of turkey feathers. Very little were marabou type. Most seamed to be square ends from body feathers. I also got 4 long wing feathers.

I tied one today. It's using the barbels of the feather. I don't have any "normal" materials. So I didn't use chenille on this one.

This is a 1/32 #6 hook, round ball jig. It only has 1 1/2” barbells tied on, with off white regular sewing thread.

Just asking you guys that tie up Crappie and Bluegill jigs whether this that I tied will catch fish.

This isn't a finished and pretty jig, yet. I want to get colors using chenille and jig head paints.Attachment 365741

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The fish should like them

You might be surprised what would bite on that jig. I started with some just like that with a black thread body and blue maribou tail and caught loads of crappie and bluegills on it. Congrats, now you have started something that is hard to stop. Good luck.
"gene"

Yup fish will hit it. Very nice making it happen and getting results.

That jig is going to do better than you think. Coat the thread with some clear nail polish to help it hold up better. That’ll work!

I did another, it's a bit of a different 1/16th where I didn't paint the head. Fingernail polish doesn't work well. Powder paint will be on my list.

These are using the barbels of the wing and body feathers. When I can get some flash and chenille, I can go with different body coloring and flash effects.
I can't wait.!Attachment 365780

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It is very addictive

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

Coat the thread with some clear nail polish to help it hold up better.

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Thanks, skeetbum,
I was wondering about coating the thread. I thought it might cause an unnatural look. If I had some feux fur, I could tie it to float around the barbels.

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It sure has been !

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

It is very addictive

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Nice start! Pretty much guarantee those will catch fish.

Those will work. Fingernail polish will work but takes probably longer then just dipping and baking from powder painting. Fingernail polish is all I use and probably has more colors and varieties to try.

Definitely! It takes a while to dry. And it takes more coats than one coat to get the color right.

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

Those will work. Fingernail polish will work but takes probably longer ,....Fingernail polish is all I use and probably has more colors and varieties to try.

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Those will do well, great colors, congrats!

Glad to see your getting something started! Get them wet and catch some crappie.

Skip

I have never had a need for powder painting my little Crappie jigs. I go to Walmart and buy craft paint for $1 for each color and give the heads 1 coat of white first, then the second coat with whatever color I want at the time. Take a round wood toothpick and cut it in 1/2, dip the larger end in some paint and dab on the jig head for eyes, when this is dry take the small pointed toothpick end and dip in paint and dab in a eye pupil. Paint the head when dry with clear Dollar store nail polish or a water base lacquer and they
hold up great for me. Hope this helps you out.

Thanks Skip,

Yes sir, that's the plan

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Originally Posted by skiptomylu

Glad to see your getting something started! Get them wet and catch some crappie.

Skip

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They will certainly catch fish. Welcome to the addiction!!!

I use Sally Hansen's "Hard As Nails" cement for gluing my thread after putting 3-4 half hitches on the jig. You can buy it at WalMart in the nail polish section. It costs $2-3.00 and has a brush in the cap. A bottle lasts along time. I have never had any thread come unraveled after painting on the sealer.

First of all, Welcome to the NEVER-ENDING-ADDICTION of Fly/Jig tying. From now on, what ever store you are in, you will be wondering if that material will work on my jig to catch fish...only time on the water will tell, and the fish will decide that one. Second of all, "will those catch fish"?...Most probably yes!!! Then again, let the fish tell you. The answer can only come from them, and don't let a single trip to the water decide for you either. What works today may not be what they want tomorrow, and vise-a-versa... As far as body material goes, you don't always need chenille. When I first started I was using not only the thread bodies, but using regular ole' yarn the ladies, (and some guy's....) use for knitting. Works great. Irregardless of what materials you use, or how bad you think it is, ALWAYS let the fish decide if it's a keeper!!!! Good luck on your new addiction and welcome again.

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Originally Posted by Jamesdean

First of all, Welcome to the NEVER-ENDING-ADDICTION of Fly/Jig tying. From now on, what ever store you are in, you will be wondering if that material will work on my jig to catch fish...only time on the water will tell, and the fish will decide that one. Second of all, "will those catch fish"?...Most probably yes!!! Then again, let the fish tell you. The answer can only come from them, and don't let a single trip to the water decide for you either. What works today may not be what they want tomorrow, and vise-a-versa... As far as body material goes, you don't always need chenille. When I first started I was using not only the thread bodies, but using regular ole' yarn the ladies, (and some guy's....) use for knitting. Works great. Irregardless of what materials you use, or how bad you think it is, ALWAYS let the fish decide if it's a keeper!!!! Good luck on your new addiction and welcome again.

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Very well written reply..... No need in me re-typing.....

Thank you SK, just passing along some of what I've picked up from you, others and personal experience.