Prep Work

I don’t have quite the right head for my tiny plastics as most anything with a barb or big rise just tears the little ones up quick. And this isn’t new, even Richard Gene uses it. I wrap a bump on the shank of the hook for the body to hang onto, and it works pretty good. Never tried dental but I think it would be a bit too coarse. I was down to just a few so I had to tie some up in a few of the head styles and sizes I use. And of course, the mind wanders at the bench with other materials laying around. So I wound up tying a rubber leg jig that the bluegill hereabouts like pretty well. Then my new kiptail caught my eye and I had to tie one of my Shad jigs. Don’t know why cuz they’re done for the season….I think. Anyway, here’s the pics
Attachment 422126
Attachment 422128
Attachment 422129

Great ties.

Look good to me. I’ve done that trick a time or two but usually I just go with no barb and don’t worry about it.

Good looking jigs and thank you for the tip.

Have not lost your touch. I like that idea.

I did much the same thing. The wire keepers shredded my baits, too. I wrapped thread around the shanks and applied glue and that works pretty good. Extra effort but works. Besides pouring jigs with wire keepers is a hassle.

Then I started skipping the thread and applying glue to the shank, and sliding the bait up, capturing glue along the way and pushing the bait tight to the head and holding it. That works, too.

Then I bought a Screw Lock mold and my gluing days are over. I really like the simplicity, ease and the hold. The fish have to shred the bait to get it to move away from the head. I troll so a spinning jig will ruin line, so I really want to keep the bait in place. Let me know if you would like to try some of them.

Skeet, really like the rubber leg tail one. Can you post a step by step on how to build hat one. If it isn't a trade secret!:biggrin

Nice ties Skeet! Thanks for sharing

Nice Skeet......I do this to flair deer hair on sauger jigs.

Attachment 422189Attachment 422190

TLE, good idea. I used to have a ball collar mold that did that but didn’t use em much and sold it. Like your approach.

MCG, no secret. It really ties like most any other but you have to be careful of the tension on the thread. Too tight and it flares like deer hair and too loose and it will pull out. I tie the rubber in a little at a time with the longer ones in tight to the center and what I add over it is trimmed a bit shorter. Chenille or thread collar, both work. I try to keep my thread collars as small as practical but they get a bit longer sometimes anyway. To start the rubber in, capture it tight close to the head and relax the tension as you wrap back a little and the legs will point back instead of straight out sideways. It takes playing with it some to understand, I started and still use spinnerbaits skirt, lots cheaper as most I got for free. This one has sillilegs, fine ones for a nymph I think. Holler if I’m clear as mud.

Micanopy, I have some screw locks but haven’t found em small enough for the baits I use. The little ones in the pic are #8 hooks and a 1/43 head, the bigger ones a #6 hook. Thanks for the offer and I’ll keep it in mind for now.

Thanks skeet. Got it. What did you cover your thread with. It really looks smooth. Almost like a piece of plastic there.

Sally thinned 50/50 with acetone, generously and turn while drying.

Those ties look pretty good to me. There are some great tips in this thread too. Thank you.

Great looking ties for sure skeet. I, for one appreciate all the tips and info put out. Thank you.

You’re welcome guys. Someone took the time to teach me. Information kept to one’s self is of little value.