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Fishslayer99
11-04-2014, 09:59 AM
I got tired of paying anywhere from $5-$12 for buck tail jigs and decided to try to make my own. I love fishing with them for lakers and bullies and will try some of the brighter ones tipped with bait for walleye/pike, cant beat the action as far as im concerned. After some good advice from my go to guys at the Fishin Hole, and around $75 bucks spent on materials (made my own vice and bobbin) I got to work.

This is not an easy thing to do, and I anticipated that but after about 2-3 hours and some really ugly ones I think I did ok.:thinking-006: I know there are some professionals on the forum who may laugh at my jigs but I can take some criticism being that I am a beginner. I very rarely fly fish and will be using these on my spinning rod, may try some streamers as well.

I encourage anyone with a little patience to give this a go. it is very cost effective ($1-$2.50 per jig) and relaxing... Now if I catch some fish with these I think that is where the real reward will come from.

Anyways I think I picked up a new hobby and thought I would share my thoughts, now the challenge is having enough time to make some more!

RavYak
11-04-2014, 10:02 AM
They look good, bucktail flies/jigs always annoy me with how expensive they are. I might have to start tying some flies etc, not sure if my shaky hands will do a decent enough of a job though.

huntsfurfish
11-04-2014, 10:43 AM
They look very good!

Use bucktails on oldman for walleye. Dont go as fancy as you.:) Plain jighead(unpainted) with white bucktail on bottom and brown or black or green for top. Will use all black at times as well. Yellow bottom black top is another.

Sometimes will tie using painted jigheads but found it is usually unneeded.

These will work on most species of fish.

edit: tie up jigs with various size(weight), from 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 ounce. Different weight will allow you to fish different depths but will also allow you to slow down or speed up your jig and give you different fall rate too.

gnugen
11-04-2014, 02:08 PM
Looking good so far. Also try marabou tails.

pikergolf
11-04-2014, 04:01 PM
Looks like you have some winners there!

spinN'flyfish
11-04-2014, 05:03 PM
wow nice looks legit store bought ones

Rafter1
11-04-2014, 07:25 PM
Nice job fishslayer. Did you use any websites for information or just use trial and error?

Rick.
11-04-2014, 07:48 PM
No one is laughing. They look fine and I'm sure they will get the job done. Rick.:love0025:

BlakeJ
11-04-2014, 08:32 PM
They look professional dude. I'd buy them. I'll create a website for you if you want to start selling them.

Fishslayer99
11-04-2014, 10:07 PM
Thanks for all the complements! RavYak they may look good but that signature of yours takes the cake...congrats! That's quite the accomplishment.

I appreciate the ideas on different colours and types of materials, I will have to give them a try.

Rafter1 I did not do any research on the web before attempting this. I think it would have helped me to do so, maybe would have saved me a bit of time but I guess the old trial by error method is tried tested and true.

BlakeJ thanks for the offer, I will see how many I can put together and may take you up on it.

Brandonkop
11-04-2014, 10:26 PM
Nice Jigs... now to catch some hawgs!

Kim473
11-05-2014, 04:38 AM
Very nice job !

Don't rety any that look bad. You might find that those ones catch the most fish. Some of my best hooks are the ones that are old, rusted and twisted from pike biting them. Remember the song ( she ain't pretty she just looks that way ) to a fish anyways.

Don Andersen
11-05-2014, 06:02 AM
Fish.....
This is the time of the year where Halloween masks and wigs go on sale. The hair on the masks make great jigs. Lots of obnoxious colours.
Great job on the jigs.
Two questions:
* you hand whipping the thread finish?
* you coating the thread with anything?

Don

Fishslayer99
11-05-2014, 07:49 AM
Kim,
I have not re tied any of the ugly ones, I will give them a try they may be ugly to me but the fish might like the look of them.
Don,
Didn't even think about the wigs, good call! I made a bobbin and have learned how to do the half hitch finish with my fingers, seems to work well. I have a head cement for the threads the guys at the Fishin Hole recommended.

Chief16
11-05-2014, 03:47 PM
I like how you got into the fish skullz as well! One tip I could give you with the fish Skullz is less thread wraps, just helps keep the body more full when you slide them on. Other than than, looks good!

Fishslayer99
11-06-2014, 02:18 PM
Chief,

Thanks for the advice, I think I got the hang of it now with the thread wraps on the skullz...like I said the first ones were a bit gnarly maybe some slough sharks would have taken a swat at them but those things will eat almost anything!

I picked up some lead dumbbell eyes and I like tying with those, they are actually looking pretty good if I don't say so myself!

The more I do the easier it gets.

Kingfisher
11-06-2014, 05:56 PM
Good job Fishslayer. I was only going to say the same things as Don Anderson said. If your wrapping them with a half hitch that is ok and will work fine. But if you want a good tight wrap job then ask the guys at the Fish'n Hole for a Matterelli whip finisher. They are easy to use and take only a minute to learn. It will speed up your finish time and they are like doing half a dozen half hitches on top of one another.

I tie a lot of flies. Some are bucktails like that last batch of yours. One thing I would take in to concideration if I were you is that you are trying to imitate bait fish. So think of how your fly will sit in the water. If you tie in barbell eyes then that side of the fly will be facing down to the bottom. So tie in your white on that side. Most fish have white bellies. So have the white belly of the fly face down.

You must have gotten some great advice from the guys at the Fish'n Hole. You seem to have the right colors. I always put red somewhere in my bucktails. By the throat is a good spot as it looks like they are wounded. I see your using red thread which always is good to add a bit more red by the throat of the fly.

Good job over all. Keep up the good work.

Chief16
11-06-2014, 06:46 PM
looking better! Look up clouser minnows if you already haven't, they are exactly what you are tying with the dumbells eyes. May help you find more tips!

Don Andersen
11-06-2014, 07:05 PM
Fish.....

If you chose a Materaiii, you would be better with the long reach style. Unlike fly rod flys, you are placing a whip finish near 3/4" from the front of the hook. Rather than a tool, you can use a rope style of whip. http://www.animatedknots.com/commonwhipping/
Rather than a thread loop, use the loop is used to pull dental floss under a bridge. See your local drug store.

Super glue works great to finish thread wraps. I prefer Gorilla glue. Doesn't dry up quickly in the bottle.

And you just wait till you getting to casting and painting.


Lots of fun!


Don

Fishslayer99
11-07-2014, 10:10 AM
I really appreciate all the insight and great ideas posted here!
the feedback has been fantastic and I have learned a great deal in the last few days. Between videos on YouTube and comments and ideas from the replies I have my hands full!

Guess I have to get some more materials and get to work...thanks again everyone!

Fishslayer99
11-09-2014, 02:25 PM
I tried tying some pike streamers over the weekend, these took me quite a while and I had to add singer hooks to them because they are large. These are my favorite ones to tie, and I cant wait to use them. It looks like these will have some great action in the water, I tried them in a big bucket of water. I don't think I will be able to wait until open water again, was thinking of trying a drop shot rig through the ice. regardless I think the pike are gonna love them!

Bjay
12-03-2014, 11:41 AM
For pike
I use a 3/8 ounce jig made with bucktail or fishair. Main color is all white with crystal flash on the sides. Some with a light or dark green, or blue back made of bucktail or fishair. Some times I add a bunch of red along the sides. For bull tout all white is a killer. I tie them 5 to 6 inches long. I find the 3/8 once is good as it doesn't sink so fast you can't control the depth it drops to. With a large spool on your spinning rod and 20 or 25 pound test braid you can cast the jig 2 to 300 feet. I make my own jigs so if I lose a few no problem. Also don't for get to pinch down the barb. You won't lose any fish as the walley and pike hammer a jig and then hold on.
BJay

Bjay
12-03-2014, 12:31 PM
If you want to learn more about jig molds and jig hooks look at this site.
http://www.do-itmolds.com/.
I have a mold for sale and some fishair.
If you are going to buy a mold to make your own jigs be careful what you buy as some molds, most molds ,only take light wire hooks. (No good for pike as they just straighten them out.) send me a post if you would like more info on making jigs. Note molds start at around 40-50 bucks and hooks are around 10 bucks and up per hundred. You don't need to buy $40.00 hooks per hundred.
Bjay

Fishslayer99
10-19-2015, 11:54 AM
It has been a full year now since I started tying flies, so I thought I would update my first thread. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/winter%202015%20116_zpsha8hhcs0.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/winter%202015%20116_zpsha8hhcs0.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/winter%202015%20129_zpsrltoj99c.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/winter%202015%20129_zpsrltoj99c.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/winter%202015%20228_zpsiyfojvzv.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/winter%202015%20228_zpsiyfojvzv.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/spring%202015%20004_zps174irllg.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/spring%202015%20004_zps174irllg.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/spring%202015%20073_zpsyulxougr.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/spring%202015%20073_zpsyulxougr.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/spring%202015%20083_zpsd6tleyzc.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/spring%202015%20083_zpsd6tleyzc.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/fishing%202015%20summer%20035_zpsemfxolfu.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/fishing%202015%20summer%20035_zpsemfxolfu.jpg.html )
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/fishing%202015%20summer%20052_zpscszylped.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/fishing%202015%20summer%20052_zpscszylped.jpg.html )
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/Kijiji%20Sled%20006_zpsilpgffjr.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/Kijiji%20Sled%20006_zpsilpgffjr.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/Kijiji%20Sled%20009_zpsh7sptaau.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/Kijiji%20Sled%20009_zpsh7sptaau.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/Fall%202015%20046_zps4yonii0x.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/Fall%202015%20046_zps4yonii0x.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/Flies%202015%20005_zpshtte5nly.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/Flies%202015%20005_zpshtte5nly.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/Flies%202015%20030_zpsfr6necxb.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/Flies%202015%20030_zpsfr6necxb.jpg.html)
http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah179/tylerspeed/Flies%202015%20049_zpsx9svsldu.jpg (http://s1380.photobucket.com/user/tylerspeed/media/Flies%202015%20049_zpsx9svsldu.jpg.html)

EZM
10-19-2015, 01:08 PM
Those look amazing ...... great job. I'd love a half dozen of those bigger ones for spring pike.

Fishslayer99
10-20-2015, 08:02 AM
Thanks EZM I appreciate that, truth be told I started tying flies to help keep me busy as I was trying to quit smoking after a 16 year habit. A year of fly tying under my belt and a year of being cigarette free! I did not end up saving any money at the end of the day...but I feel much better now.

Ozzzzz
10-20-2015, 08:53 AM
Wow!! Those flies look awesome!! Great job!

Mackinaw
10-20-2015, 09:17 AM
I got tired of paying anywhere from $5-$12 for buck tail jigs and decided to try to make my own. I love fishing with them for lakers and bullies and will try some of the brighter ones tipped with bait for walleye/pike, cant beat the action as far as im concerned. After some good advice from my go to guys at the Fishin Hole, and around $75 bucks spent on materials (made my own vice and bobbin) I got to work.

This is not an easy thing to do, and I anticipated that but after about 2-3 hours and some really ugly ones I think I did ok.:thinking-006: I know there are some professionals on the forum who may laugh at my jigs but I can take some criticism being that I am a beginner. I very rarely fly fish and will be using these on my spinning rod, may try some streamers as well.

I encourage anyone with a little patience to give this a go. it is very cost effective ($1-$2.50 per jig) and relaxing... Now if I catch some fish with these I think that is where the real reward will come from.

Anyways I think I picked up a new hobby and thought I would share my thoughts, now the challenge is having enough time to make some more!

Should have used the 75 bucks to buy jigs ...........jk just kidding they look great and always better fish when you catch them on your own hooks..

Mack

Fishslayer99
10-21-2015, 09:10 AM
Wow!! Those flies look awesome!! Great job!

Should have used the 75 bucks to buy jigs ...........jk just kidding they look great and always better fish when you catch them on your own hooks..

Mack

Thanks Ozzzzz, and Mack...maybe your right I can tell you im into it for much more than $75 now!!!

Mackinaw
10-21-2015, 09:26 AM
Thanks Ozzzzz, and Mack...maybe your right I can tell you im into it for much more than $75 now!!!

No matter what you have in to them it is well worth it you have some beautiful jigs there. When do they go up for sale.... cold lake lakers are waiting

Mack

Fishslayer99
10-22-2015, 08:39 AM
Thanks Mack, I really appreciate it. I don't make them to sell to be honest, they take a lot of time so its hard to put a price on them. PM me if your serious and we can work something out...

aulrich
10-22-2015, 04:44 PM
The only problem is over time you won't save any money, you will just have more gear :)

This past winter I started painting lure bodies I could make a plug for about 1.50 to 2.50 a piece, so now instead of having 1 or two of any lure I have at least 10 in my "at the cabin" and "at home" tackle boxes :)

silver/blue
silver/black
Gold/green
at least one perch
gold/flo purple/flo orange (don't ask me where I saw it but it worked like a charm)
firetiger flo yellow
firetiger flo orange
firetiger flo pink
yellow/red ala 5 of diamonds
rainbow trout if applicable
Brown trout if applicable
pike if applicable

etc

And if I was not bird hunting I have 4 new lure bodies to paint up. But I better get at it Christmas is coming :).