I have caught a ton of crappies mostly long line trolling with jigs with different plastic tails. Is there an advantage using hand tied jigs.
Not wanting to offend anyone. Just asking what you experienced old timers know.
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I have caught a ton of crappies mostly long line trolling with jigs with different plastic tails. Is there an advantage using hand tied jigs.
Not wanting to offend anyone. Just asking what you experienced old timers know.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. Both can catch a ton of fish for you. I use both. I have started tying and found the hand ties are more durable for me as well as the satisfaction I get from catching a fish on something I made. Guys pouring plastics probably feel the same. I’m not sure there is a correct answer just use what you like and catch fish.
Rabbit fur and marabou have a subtle action that no plastic can match, particularly in colder water. Some materials, like bucktail or synthetics, have a translucent appearance that no plastic can match. As a general rule, fur and feathers will last far longer than plastic. (Being tied to the hook makes them much tougher.)
I use plastics, too, but you’re missing out if that’s all you fish.
handties cost and plastics not so much , both work well in some scenarios and some don't work at all.
handties in the winter are for sure a must for subtle presentations and super slow and still .
plastics have that real feel though and sometimes I think fish hold them longer when they take them .
its a toss up for me , I love all jigs that ketch crappie and both versions ketch crappie .
I am apt to use more plastics as it hurts my feelings lots less when one don't come back to me .
a little part of some artist stays on the bottom every time I lose one .
I lost 2 or 3 the other day using real light line and i am still not all that happy about it .
i lost a good plastic on a pretty jighead yesterday and even though they liked it
i am ok with it staying in that brushpile .
You are too sensitive ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ketchn
Quote:
Originally Posted by ksnouf
Really good question. I can also tell that you are probably regretting selling all those jigs you just got rid of. ;-)
Seriously, I enjoy tying but there is a limit you reach where you have to ask yourself....what am I going to do with all of them?
Why? Because it is an addiction. You can give some away, you could sell some, you can just keep tying new creations for new creation sakes and you still will hit a wall. Bobby Garlands just sit there in the bag until needed. They occupy little space and don't complain. I do both, but have not brought myself to trolling with my creations; they're more for tight lining and single rod approaches to crappie stalking. I really believe there is wisdom in continuing to use both types of jigs. :fish
[QUOTE=USMA65;4015332]Really good question. I can also tell that you are probably regretting selling all those jigs you just got rid of. ;-)
LOL I still have a lot. I bought 350 1/8 oz roadrunners without a hook on the shank to hold on plastic. So I started tying some. I have collected a ton of stuff over the years and have a box of calf tails, marabou, feathers and deer tails. So am going to give it a try. But I had keck surgery so cant cast all day. My boat is set up with Lowrance and an xi5 so trolling works for me. Have it down to a science but have always used plastic. So am just wanting input like you offered to get the feel. Tied about 30 yesterday and the lake should be down enough Monday to see if they work.
Thanks
I also use both even minnows in the colder months. My catch rate is about 50-50. But I think that hand ties is winning. As I ties my own if I I loose one then I tie a new one. Last weekend I caught my PB shell Cracker on a hand tie. So it was a double whammy that day. I think its a confidence thing.
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They both work for sure, In my mind the advantage to plastics would be a quick color change. I sometimes stack um when fishing bridge pilings to see what the fish like that day..., but I still prefer using my own.
I've tied a lot of jigs. Maybe mine are junk but i seem to do better with plastics.
Also, plastics color changes are fast. Hand ties are retying knots.
If you hit on a good color, switching to a hand tied can save jigs.
Last year i gave a buddy a few chartreuse/ blue combos. He caught 100+ off one hand tied jig.
He retired it and its in his fishing hat now.
It was summer, clear water Attachment 376797Attachment 376798
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Not a problem with multiple rods. Different color jig on each rod. Good reason for more rods. :Rofl Have a pretty good idea what will work or has in past so no need for 200 variables.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
Hand ties take less space to carry then bags of plastics if space is a concern.
I have been tying for a couple of years. I have been pouring plastics for about 3 months. I enjoy doing both but I find myself using hand ties more than plastics. I'm a single pole fisherman and I have been fishing mostly bridge pilings lately. Getting hung up is pretty rare so I lose very few jigs. I'm sure when I start fishing brush piles again I will prefer plastics due to the number of baits being lost to the pile. It hurts a lot more to lose a custom jig to a pile than a piece of plastic. I only make baits for person consumption so the amount of plastics baits have really grown. A gallon of plastisol goes along way.
I’ve started tying more jigs using the Richard Gene weedless jig style and having good success. Worth a shot on those hand tie jigs.
https://youtu.be/DTOAO4YW4mU
I aint kidding bro ….and to make it worse it seems like if its a really fine handtie I drop it and its gone first drop ….Quote:
Originally Posted by USMA65
heck I lost a tandem of them first drop the other day in a spot there wasn't even anything to get hung up on ….
a big fish hit and BOOM they were gone ...:Rofl
am jinxed like that sometimes I swear …..I almost hate to tie one on at times ...:Rofl
and BTW it for sure takes lots longer to tie a different handtie on than change a plastic if you think the color might matter
this is also somewhat of a concern for me as I often change colors if I know they are there and wont bite .
I tie my own also. That is why i use 20lb braid. I get every one of them back unless i get a wrap. Just have to straighten the hook back out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ketchn
I've found no difference in 4lb or 20lb in their reactions to line.
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Attachment 376908Here are a few I tied.
Pretty awesome idea. What brand? Long time to sink the jig?Sent from my SM-G965U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile appQuote:
Originally Posted by pipeliner345
I’ve been tying for several years but still can’t get away from using plastics on occasion. I have faith in certain combos and tie several of those but don’t mind losing one now and then, a little material and time at the bench. I pour my own heads so cost is low all the way around. Trolling is better for me with curly tail plastics with straight tails and hand ties not doing as well. Dark water here is a factor, I think. For my single pole I use a lot of hand ties for their durability. I use a lot of 2lb line so breaking off is an issue, wouldn’t mind it so much if I didn’t have to retie a leader also.
No. I generally use a split shot above the jig about 14 to 16". This works well in getting the jig down. I use an open face bait cast on a 12' bonestix spiral wrap.Quote:
Originally Posted by brettw
The line i prefer 100% is power pro " super slick " usually green or brown but have used the high vis yellow before. I have used 6 lb all the way up to my current 20lb. I like it the best.
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