Jigsisme Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I've searched on here and other sites for a good teaching on how to hand tie jig skirts. Just not finding what I'm looking for. What do you use? Will braid be sufficient or do I need something else like thread? Do you put a drop of glue on the knot after you are done? Do you tie before or after you put the weed guard in? Just trying to get the best tips before I try. Appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basseducer Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 jigsisme, I use nylon upholstery thread and put a drop if superglue gel on the final knot. I do glue in the weedguards after tying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jig Man Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I wire tie mine. 24 ga copper wire, wrap, twist, cut, done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynesgto Posted December 8, 2015 Report Share Posted December 8, 2015 I wire tie mine with craft or floral wire from hobby lobby. I have it in black, white and brown. I never had a problem with it. Works perfectly and pretty cheap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apdriver Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Go to you tube and search Smalljaw. Our friend and fellow forum member and Super Tacklecrafter has taken the time to put together a great instructional series of videos on hand tying all manner of jigs using many different materials. I highly recommend watching his whole series to get you started and give you ideas on patterns and materials you can use. Also, just a quick public and sincere thanks to Smalljaw for taking the time and effort to do this. Also for sharing his knowledge and experience so selflessly with our community. Thanks DD! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painter1 Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Go to you tube and search Smalljaw. Our friend and fellow forum member and Super Tacklecrafter has taken the time to put together a great instructional series of videos on hand tying all manner of jigs using many different materials. I highly recommend watching his whole series to get you started and give you ideas on patterns and materials you can use. Also, just a quick public and sincere thanks to Smalljaw for taking the time and effort to do this. Also for sharing his knowledge and experience so selflessly with our community. Thanks DD! Great advice and very well put. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBarlow Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/user/smalljaw/videos 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchance Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I go to the crafty section of WalMart and use the green floral wire. works great, dirt cheap, and can find it anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigsisme Posted December 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 Thank you!! That's exactly what I was looking for. Smalljaw has helped me before...between him and Cadman, I would be lost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted December 9, 2015 Report Share Posted December 9, 2015 I use rod wrapping nylon thread and use finger nail polish under it and for the finish coat. I pour my heads with the weed guard in place. It's a pain but no more than I tie it works for me. Musky Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 (edited) Thank you!! That's exactly what I was looking for. Smalljaw has helped me before...between him and Cadman, I would be lost! I also have a tutorial on how the way I wire tie. Don't know if you have it. If you want it Pm me your e-mail and Iwill send it to you. I also use copper wire, except mine is red. Edited December 10, 2015 by cadman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macstackleman Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 I have found a new technique I would like to share! I make my skirts with a new o-ring I purchase from McMaster-Carr. This ring is made from neoprene and doesn't dry rot! I put my bands in the o-ring then slip onto lure. Now not only is the neoprene a big issue here is the cool part of this! After skirt is applied to lure, slip on another o-ring behind the skirt!!!! This causes the skirt to flair and have more action. Now also not sure how this works because I am not a physics teacher, but the second o-ring will prevent the skirt from sliding down the lure!!! I use 1/4OD x 1/8ID. McMaster # AS568A Hope this helps out!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadman Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 I have found a new technique I would like to share! I make my skirts with a new o-ring I purchase from McMaster-Carr. This ring is made from neoprene and doesn't dry rot! I put my bands in the o-ring then slip onto lure. Now not only is the neoprene a big issue here is the cool part of this! After skirt is applied to lure, slip on another o-ring behind the skirt!!!! This causes the skirt to flair and have more action. Now also not sure how this works because I am not a physics teacher, but the second o-ring will prevent the skirt from sliding down the lure!!! I use 1/4OD x 1/8ID. McMaster # AS568A Hope this helps out!! Are you using these "o" rings on jigs that have double collars or the ball collars. The biggest issue I believe with everyone is the ball collar, as there is not enough profile on the collar to hold anything from sliding down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 I think a drop of crazy glue behind the second O ring would keep it from sliding down. I do this sometimes when I don't have a good seat for my skirt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSNeely Posted December 20, 2015 Report Share Posted December 20, 2015 I wire tire using 24AWG copper wire. Been doing it for several years now. I get it from Parawire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macstackleman Posted December 29, 2015 Report Share Posted December 29, 2015 (edited) Sorry for being so late to respond! Have used these rings on all collars! and yes have put a drop of super glue on the ball collars! Sorry again! Have put the single rattle strap on behind the skirt also for strength! Edited December 29, 2015 by macstackleman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogAddict Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 I like to use 3/0 Orvis thread to tie on my skirts. I do glue the weed guard after and I do use superglue on the tie when I'm done. It takes more time but I find it therapeutic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbass Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 I tie the skirt on before I set the weedguard. It wont hurt the jig to do it after, but it is a bit of a pain to have to work around the weedguard. I use the superglue with the brush applicator and after I tie two whip finishes to fishing the jig, then I just touch the knot with the glue. You don't have to do this, but its cheap insurance. You don't need much and if you get carried away it will leak down and glue the skirt strands together. I either use heavy thread that is tough to break or used 20lb braid. The braid is great, but if you pull too hard you can score or even cut through the silicone as it is rather soft. Also, make sure when you are getting the braid/thread started onto the jig collar that you wrap a single layer all the way across the inside of the jig collar. Then you can lay your skirt tabs on top and finish tying on top of that base layer. It creates a layer that gives your braid/thread something to grab onto. Braid has no stretch and without a layer to grab onto, when you pull tight the skirt will be able to spin around the collar since its just smooth paint which will mess up your carefully placed skirt and accent colors. My other tip is a way to keep your skirt strands nice and flat and even which will keep the strands from dangling all around the head and hook which makes it hard to get your colors even and some of the strands will overlap the other creating a messy look to the skirt. So, get some masking tape and cut two pieces that are about two inches long. Lay them on the table parallel (like and equal sign) with the adhesive facing up. Then take your skirt tab and pull it fairly tight so that all the strands are perfectly straight and even. Then just lay your even tab on the tape perpendicular to your "equal sign." You want to have a piece just in from each end of the tab so that there will be about an inch and a half space in the middle so that it wont interfere with tying the tab on. This will make the tab somewhat stiff and much more manageable and the strands will be much easier to position on the collar. After you lay the tab on the tape, keep it flat and then just fold the tape around the top of the tab and smooth it out and trim the excess. This has saved my sanity many times when I start to lose it when the strands keep sagging all around the head, becoming uneven and making it difficult to wrap the thread around the skirt and collar. Also, yes it has to be masking tape. I have tried them all and only masking tape will stick to the silicone. Scotch tape will slide right off and wont hold at all. When you are done, the tape will come off without a fuss and wont leave any gum on the skirt. I hope something here will help you. You will make a few really ugly jigs until you get the hang of it, but stick it out because its very satisfying to put your own colors together. Once you get it down you will wonder why you didn't get into it sooner. Post us a pic and lets see what you come up with. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
