Perk Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 I just started tying my own buck tails and was wondering if there was a guide for how long they should be or is it whatever looks good. Mine seem kinda long but I didn't know if longer was better or keep them short. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 What are you tying them onto. If it is jigs, you will get more response in the wire bait section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perk Posted January 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 I haven't made any for jigs yet but I will in the future. I'm putting them on some rapala knock offs so I guess they're dressed treble hooks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 I find that feathered trebles on a hard bait are a two edged sword. They add action on the pause and simulate a living tail, but they can dampen the action if they are too long for a particular bait. For example, for 4" jerkbaits that I move fast, I use a flashabou dressed rear treble trimmed just past the hooks, so I get a lot of action and still get flash. I don't use any feathered treble at all on bigger jerkbaits, because they are harder to work, and the feather makes them sluggish. For 5" walking baits, I leave the feather/flashabou combination about an inch past the bend in the treble, and trim it on the water until the bait walks well. A long tail here definately dampens the walking action. For 6'+ punker-type top water gliders, I leave the feathers long, because these big baits aren't worked fast, so the long tail doesn't inhibit their action. For sub-surface lures, I tie the feathers long, and trim them on the water if they slow down the X'ing I want. For me, my general rule is the smaller the bait, the smaller the dressed treble, and the faster the action I'm looking for, the shorter the feathers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perk Posted January 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Thanks I appreciate the info. Im gonna trim some off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 Thanks I appreciate the info. Im gonna trim some off. I would wait until I could cast the lure, to see if it needs to be trimmed. I have a pair of sst scissors in my boat that are dull, but do the job on the water, where I can really see how the lures work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 The problem with trimming bucktail that has been tied is you lose the natural taper of the hair...Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobP Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 JMHO, when I use a dressed treble on a jerkbait it's always feathers and/or flashaboo. Bucktail looks natural on a bucktail lead head jig because it has a natural flowing action that mimics a baitfish but to me, it's too heavy and dulls the action on a crankbait, and it doesn't flare when the bait is paused like feathers will. Bucktail is OK on saltwater metal jigs where durability against toothy critters is paramount. As far as length, I think Mark nailed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 The reason I asked if it happens to be jigs is like Bob I only use feathers instead of deer hair on trebles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfrog Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 This is just my preference for buck tail length . On most jig type ties whether on a spinnerbait or jig I never make the tail past the bend of the hook longer than the shank of the hook .For trebles The tail will not exceed the overall lenght of the hook from eye to bend . If that makes any sense . Sometimes I don't . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted January 21, 2014 Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Toadfrog is right on the money on the length...Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perk Posted January 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2014 Any chance you could send a pic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
