I just want to make the most bare basic Feather/Hair jig for bluegill. I've been doing good with craft fur 1/64 jig and half a red worm. But is there something less messy and easier to work with. PS... I'm new at this.
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I just want to make the most bare basic Feather/Hair jig for bluegill. I've been doing good with craft fur 1/64 jig and half a red worm. But is there something less messy and easier to work with. PS... I'm new at this.
From my limited experience bucktail was easy to use. For me rabbit was slick and hard to trap on a hook. Kip tail is not bad either. Squirrel tail works well also. You can find those on the road. Although it may not be legal to take from the roadway. Pull the bone out and salt the tail. Lots of bream jigs in a squirrel's tail
The question I would ask first would be how much action are you looking for? The best, softest hair with the most action is Arctic Fox, and it’s pretty tough too. I use a lot of kiptail and squirrel, both of which are much stiffer but work well for me. As for the worm, try a piece of gulp earthworm instead . Just my opinion.
Just want to add some chartreuse color to the jig hoping maybe to attract a small bass or crappie. Don't want to spent a lot time tying jigs, I just want something simple and fast, l'm not too concerned about action, because these jigs will be tipped with live bait anyway. I'm just look for a little extra attraction.Quote:
Originally Posted by skeetbum
I live in the city, if someone saw me messing with a dead Squirrel on side the road they probably think I was some kind of Zombie...LolQuote:
Originally Posted by DockShootinJack
Squirrel tail, easy and decent action if you don't tie it too thick. Micro rabbit strips are easy too, the skin/leather makers it easy to capture your thread and lots of colors available. Plus it is fairly durable.
Rabbit comes on strip hide and you tie it on with the hide so is not hard especially if you just use crosscut strips. Pic below!
Squirrel tail is good and so is kiptail of the hair is long enough. I kind of like skeetbum's suggestion Arctic Fox is very nice and lot of action!
Skip
Rabbit strips. Thread base, then tie strip on near the bend of the hook and wrap to the head and finish!
Attachment 405265
For me it is bucktail 90% of time . But up here I usually tie for walleye. If I am looking for crappie I skip most hair and go straight to marabou or living rubber. I live in a small house and have very limited inventory so I tend to keep it simple.
Marabou is the master, eh? Durability with bluegills does make hair a better option I would think. My only complaint about Arctic fox is the price especially compared to squirrel tail or rabbit strips.
Rabbit hide is that what they call "Zonkers" ?
Yes, but it comes straight and cross cut. Lots of colors too. The micro strips are easier to tie on small jigs.
Just to give you an idea of how much there is, just take a look at Hareline's stuff! The listed prices are higher than what it really cost so don't pay attention to that, just the kinds and colors.Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno2000
Skip
Fur / Hair - Hareline Dubbin Product Lines
Ok, I ordered the bucktail, and the Micro rabbit strips to see which kind I like best. The only issue I see is that it looks like the rabbit strip would be flopping around a lot on the back end because it's only secured in the front. Is that an issue ?
I ordered this: Amazon.com
If you want easy, don’t leave out the possibility of yarn, several different choices to choose from.
Good luck [emoji106]
Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I’m a bucktail type of guy and is my most productive type of material for a tail that I use. Now whether this is the easiest to use I can’t say but easy enough I can do it. To me has less action which is what I’m after as it just seems crappie prefer less action more often than more action. I’m usually dead sticking.
Attachment 405279
White bucktail with a red thread neck worked very good for me in spring. Easy to tie
I still use hackle on small jigs. Easy to work with and good action. I like marabou but it makes a mess and is not as durable as chenille.
Did you look at the rabbit I posted? Does it look like it will have something flooding around out the back end? Mostly when I tie them I don't use a tail so to speak. However if I use a strop as a tail it will be fine, but for my personal fishing I just tie them where only the hair is moving!Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno2000
Here is one I tied using a strip "Zonker style" cut.
Skip
Attachment 405369
This is what I ordered : Micro Rabbit Strips - Fly Tying Materials and SuppliesQuote:
Originally Posted by skiptomylu
Is the "hide" part where you wrap the thread ?
Well this is what you can do with these. This is not the Micro, but you can just make more wraps since the hide is thinner on the Micro strips. Mine are 18" Wide.Quote:
Originally Posted by Techno2000
If you have more questions just send me a PM or we can email or get on the phone if you want.
Skip
Skip, great looking jigs! Do you have a tutorial or video you can share on building that ?
I can describe it pretty good and maybe I should make a video. However for now here is how it works with all included. Make thread base all the way from head to the bend, then come back just a little. Take the strip (hide) and tie it in (trap it) making sure it will wrap good. Then make a good many wraps around the hide there and then a 3 or 4 turn whip finish and a small amount of super glue. Then just was the strip to the head and trap with thread, cut Hid and make wraps at head to hold well and finish. Add a little good glue, for this I use Softex or some that I make that is a flexible glue that is really tuff! On chenille jigs I use a completely different glue than I do on a thread neck jig. Hope this helps!Quote:
Originally Posted by MCG1
Oh wait I may have some pics I made for a slide show that will help too, let me look.
Skip
At least you can see this started when I have already made my thread base and tied in the hide on the shank. Then just warps to the head and tie off.
This was a crosscut strip, but the zonker cut strips can also be tied like this, just a little more pulling back on the hair as you wrap.
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Great description and pics Skip!!!
Any soft hide made into a zonker strip, also LOVE artic fox and squirrel tail is always good once you get used to tying with it. Have many more that I tie with.