Tying Bass Jigs...........

[Bow Man]

Question for you all, does anyone here tie there own bass jigs? If so what vise do you all use and do you use wire or thread or braided line for tying down the skirts. If so what thread do you all use or what size of wire or braid.

I use a lot of jigs when fishing and was going to start tying up my own.


Cheers.
Bow Man

 

[somethingsfishy]

Ive tied a couple.. Super technical however. I am assuming you are not fly fishing with these but flippin /pitching on a casting rod.? I made it a little complicate than it could have been but i wanted to go completely from scratch.. I got a 4/0 gammy ewg offset hook. Offset is key im not sure if they even sell them anymore but i remember when i was younger you could buy these with no offset. Get offset. Get the size weight you wish the jig to be in a tungsten bullet or circle weight. I bored a 1/16 hole throught the middle of the bullet weight so i could slide it over the line tie so it was semi exposed. And anchored it with metal epoxy. Slid a strike king jig skirt up under this, and secured it with 50 lb braid for extra insurance over the silicone band. I made a little barb out of epoxy and stuck it under the skirt to hold my trailer. I went a bored another 1/16 by 1/16" hole on an angle in the tungsten weight for a weed guard. I just pulled weed guard off an old jig and glued it into the hole i made. The jig fished fairly decently and i think in total i made 4. Only reason i stopped is because i didnt really find much more enjoyment out of catching fish on something i made than a hack attack i can buy for 4 bucks for example haha. That should be a good guideline though! It worked for me.

 

[somethingsfishy]

Oh and i never used a vice,

 

[Bow Man]

Yeah not for fly fishing.... thanks for the feed back.

 

[fishermandan420]

Skirts come with a rubber band to heep them on

 

[Bow Man]

Skirts come with a rubber band to heep them on

Yeah but doing research far more people use wire and thread to secure the skirts to the jig head ( less slippage ). I am curious to know what size of thread people use. I will be buying a vise to use, as most jig guys use them for the ease and also will use later for tying flies.

I am just looking for some feedback from guys who tie there own. I have a good contact for skirt materials and jig heads ( will use siebert jig heads, I use his jigs right now and they are by far the best I have used http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/main.sc ). I just wanted to try tying my own for a hobby.


cheers

 

[somethingsfishy]

K.R the do come with the band but since my first year of fishing jigs ive started wrapping 2 rounds of 50 lb braid (usually just cut tag ends) for assurance. Skipping jigs way up under docks are hammering them up under hanging trees can really take a toll

 

[fishermandan420]

Try some 3/0 tying thread

 

[Jacklake]

BowMan -
You will need a vise (as you said) - I suggest a Griffin product - either a 1A or a 2A. If you only want to see if you like it, get a cheaper one made in India. However if you continue to tie it will become annoying in about 2 years. Griffin uses great steel and has great service - and hold a hook like vise-grips.
A spool of 3/0 thread or Big Fly Thread from Uni
A bobbin holder
Fine scissors - or a razor blade
A bottle of Sally Hansens clear Nail varnish. Cut off the brush and stick a short needle into the nylon stem, eye first (maybe heat it first).
Rubber legs.

I could show you how to attach the skirt in about 2 minutes, but it is hard to describe. It will be somewhat like this.

1. If your rubber legs are already on core, slide the core over the hook to the jig head.
2. Attach the thread to the in thook right behind the rubber core by tightly wrapping the thread forwards and backwards in relavitely the same spot (about 5 wraps up and back a couple of times).
3. If your rubber legs are NOT on core, start with step 2 - attaching the thead to the hook at the place you want to attach the rubber.
4. Cut off the tag end that you originally held.
5. If your rubber in NOT on a core, apply it to the hook with most of it over the eye, and only short stubs toward the bend of the hook.
6. Wrap over the stubs of rubber tightly to trap them against the hook.
7. Wrap a 5 or 6 wraps on the bare hook (or core) right behind the stub.
8. This is the challenging part, because with a jig the 'hackle' (long part) is over the eye and you need to tie off behind your materials. Several half hitches should do it. Cut off your thread.
9. Coat the half hitches and other wraps with the Sally Hansens.

Too bad you weren't at the Winter Hatches Fly Tying Symposium today, but you have to start somewhere.

 

[Bow Man]

BowMan -
You will need a vise (as you said) - I suggest a Griffin product - either a 1A or a 2A. If you only want to see if you like it, get a cheaper one made in India. However if you continue to tie it will become annoying in about 2 years. Griffin uses great steel and has great service - and hold a hook like vise-grips.
A spool of 3/0 thread or Big Fly Thread from Uni
A bobbin holder
Fine scissors - or a razor blade
A bottle of Sally Hansens clear Nail varnish. Cut off the brush and stick a short needle into the nylon stem, eye first (maybe heat it first).
Rubber legs.

I could show you how to attach the skirt in about 2 minutes, but it is hard to describe. It will be somewhat like this.

1. If your rubber legs are already on core, slide the core over the hook to the jig head.
2. Attach the thread to the in thook right behind the rubber core by tightly wrapping the thread forwards and backwards in relavitely the same spot (about 5 wraps up and back a couple of times).
3. If your rubber legs are NOT on core, start with step 2 - attaching the thead to the hook at the place you want to attach the rubber.
4. Cut off the tag end that you originally held.
5. If your rubber in NOT on a core, apply it to the hook with most of it over the eye, and only short stubs toward the bend of the hook.
6. Wrap over the stubs of rubber tightly to trap them against the hook.
7. Wrap a 5 or 6 wraps on the bare hook (or core) right behind the stub.
8. This is the challenging part, because with a jig the 'hackle' (long part) is over the eye and you need to tie off behind your materials. Several half hitches should do it. Cut off your thread.
9. Coat the half hitches and other wraps with the Sally Hansens.

Too bad you weren't at the Winter Hatches Fly Tying Symposium today, but you have to start somewhere.

Cheers JL, would love to have been there, but had to work.....( story of my life )..... But I greatly appreciate the info and help. At the fly tying symposium the tie bass jigs? I would have thought it was "flies" only.

Also here is a link to the skirt maker I am looking at: https://fishingskirts.com/fishing-skirts-categories/skirt-making-material

Thanks again.