Tying Jigs...... What does everyone use???

[larrylargemouth]

I now have my jigs poured and powdercoated.  Ordered both rubber and silicone skirt material.  Next question.  What do you jig tyers use to secure the skirts?  I have seen the rubber collers, wire, and what looks like guide winding thread to attach the skirts.  What works the best?  I kind of like the wire and thread ties because it seems to open the rubber up a lot more than the wider rubber collars giving the jig a bigger profile.  Any comments or opinions would be appreciated.  

[clubber]

I always use monel wire or copper wire on my jigs, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits that I make. Even if I bought one with a rubber collar on it, I would change to the wire ties. I believe that it makes the skirt flare more and produces more motion in the water whan moved.   

[larrylargemouth]

I noticed the same thing.  Does the wire hold up better than the thread?

[clubber]

I've never tried tying with thread, but I've seen plenty tied with it. Shouldn't be a problem. Seems to hold up well.

[Nickk]

I use stainless steel safety wire(like bailing wire), it's just a relic from the racedays so it's handy.  I imagine you could use thread but I'd use thick stuff or use some braid like Power Pro, it's pretty close to Gudebrod G(gel spun polyethylene).

[bigjim5589]

I use the collars on some jigs, but tie others with thread. My preference is for a fly tying thread made by Danville Chenille Co, called flat waxed nylon, or a similar thread they call depth ray nylon. The depth ray is fluorescent, and sometimes just adds something to the appearance of jigs that the other thread doesn't. These threads lay flat, and don't bulk up like other types of tying thread. 

I agree that tying does flair the skirt out more, and keeps it from sliding off the jig. The down side, you can't easily change skirts on the water, but I usually just change jigs anyway! 

If you get to where you can tie the rubber or silicone skirts with thread, the next logical step might be tying hair jigs! 

[larrylargemouth]

Thanks for the tips.  bigjim, I used to tie flies when I was in high school for a local tyer who supplied several area fly shops. I also used to tie hair and maribou jigs by the hundreds for friends and family.  I got away from it over the last few years other than pouring all kinds of jigs for personal use.  Wanted to try making some bass jigs so I could customize em' a little bit.  I am familiar with the waxed nylon and it should most certainly work well.

[Fatman]

Some people are even using zip ties to do their jigs, and tying is what I started on.  For crappie style jigs I use regular fly tying thread, bass jigs I use rod wrapping thread, and I've been playing with Kevlar thread and GSP thread. 

Gotta watch it with the Kevlar cause you can cut through the materials with it.

Fatman

[Dug]

Kevlar Thread.

Dug

[Jigman2]

Larrylargemouth
I use floral wire (It has a plastic couting on it and will not rust) it is very thin and two wraps seem to work very well, it is dark green and can be found in hobby shops, it's cheep and will not let the skirts slide off as will some of the slip on collars, twist it like safety wire and trim off the excess.
Hope this helps
Jigman2

[larrylargemouth]

Never thought of that.  I will have to try all of these ideas out.  Thanks to all for the help. 

[Ray Emory]

Looking for a good company where I can buy materials to make jigs, any tips??

[Siebert Outdoors]

fishing skirts.com is the best place for skirt material


I use wire for most of my jigs.  Wire will outlast the jig.  Atleast thats what I've found.