Thread Sizes And Types & Deer Hair

[SW Lures]

I have been making and tying bucktails for a few years now. I have been told recently to try monofilament or regular nylon sewing threads. I was wondering about a few things that may come up. The first is can I get enough hair on the lure to make the jig look like it has a full body with mono. The second is the knot to complete the wrap. Would a clinch do it?

I use oversize hooks in a modified mold. The heads are 3/8-5/8 oz. I was thinking of using regular thread to complete and make the look clean. Any thoughts on this?

The other problem I have is that with the long shank hooks (which I want) I need to find bucktail hair of about 3-4" long. I've seen it on other jigs but don't know where to get it.

Thanks,

Dale

[Basseducer]

What are you using now? If it has been working for you all this time, why change? I have tied only a few Bucktails, but plan on increasing production. I used the same Nylon Upholstery Thread that I use on my jigs.

[MuskyGary]

I use "Big Fly Thread", sometimes Kelvar,however it can cut the bucktail. If something is working for you keep at it. Finding long bucktail is hard. A lot of guys making the big preacher jigs are using feathers and craft fur.

[MuskyGary]

Another thing I like to do, because of short bucktail; is tie the bucktail on the back of the jig and finish the front off with cross cut rabbit strips.

[mark poulson]

You can also use old braided fishing line for tying. 

[BLT]

One thing I see guys doing is pulling the thread to hard. You really don't need to pull hard, that will cause a lot of flare to the hair. This is really a big deal if you are using the really thick hair at the bottom of the tail.

I get spools of nylon thread from "the thread exchange" on the net. Some have 20,000 feet of thread on them. I have heard of guys using their old braid line also. never tried that. There is also a flat thread sold online for fly tying. Never used it, but you may want to contact Barlows tackles site. He ventures on here sometimes, maybe he can tell you about the flat thread.

 

Another issue is the type  of collar on the jig. The bigger the "knob/bulb" on the end, the more your hair can flair. Those spro heads in my pic, the closer to the end I tie and pull, the more it will flare. Do to the fish I am making them for, (flounder) I don't want the full flare that jig can produce. Opinions vary of course, but that is how I sell them. The 3 and 4oz have 6/0, and the 2oz. a 5/0 hook.

 

Now for the hair question. I get mine from a guy that buys/sells hides and fur. I get tails that people would kill for. Some have white hair 7" long. They are huge Pa. bucktails form the Lancaster/chester/burks county area. Up to this year, I paid $.90 a tail, washed and deboned. Air dried only, no salt, and I'll see a tad bit of fat still on them at times. Not an issue with me, I'll scrape the rest off for that price/size. They stay in the freezer til needed. Find someone that traps and see where they take their critters to. Go see if they deal with deer skins, and see what he can do for you. I started giving him a buck a tail last week, just because I don't want to loose him as a supplier. This guy can get the bone out and scrape it in a minute lol. If you can get tais bone in somewhere, (try a butcher shop that does deer) there are videos on the net to show you how to de bone and clean/wash/dry them.

 

Buy a Whip finishing tool also to complete the knot when done tying. Don't need the tool, but that is the "standard" knot when done tying. Google whip finish knot and I'm sure there is a video that will show you how to do it by hand.

 

Don't know if I gave you an opinion on all your questions, but let me know.

[gaspumper]

I get my bucktails for free anywhere from 100 -150 per year from a couple of abattoirs,I debone and cure them my self.I tie approx 3000 bucktail jigs a year mostly 3/4 oz walleye head.For thread I use upholstery thread, size CSB69 its heavier then big fly thread.The tails I get have  hair  anywhere from 2-6 inches long I only use hair around 2-3 inches on my jigs depending on what size head I tie.I have lots of tails with the longer hair up to 6 inches I never us,I just vacuum seal them and throw them in a box.

Edited February 15, 2016 by gaspumper

[smalljaw]

I'll try to help, there is monofilament made for tying but I don't like it because it builds up quickly and can slip when using a whip finish so you need to do a series of half hitches in order to secure it. Sewing thread or upholstery thread can be used but they are unwaxed so they don't grip the hair as well as a waxed thread, and they also are subject to friction areas that are weak points from the thread being cinched down. The wax that helps grip the hair also lubricates it so when cinched, it keeps the thread from burning due to friction, the same deal like wetting a fishing line know with spit to allow you to cinch it tight without creating a friction area. As for the hair, ever since the big "preacher" hair jig craze started, my long time suppliers have gone away, and I'm talking about places that I used to get large buck tails from with 5" and 6" long hair off of are now out of business as I'll bet they sold, or are selling the inventory to large manufacturers. I have tied a few preacher jigs for some guys but they all supplied the feathers and hair since I need at least 5" long hair and 7" long hackle feathers. I use 210 denier flat waxed nylon and that lets me make a good tight wrap that will hold the material. If you want something a little stronger for piece of mind, try UTC ultra thread 280 denier  but 210 flat waxed nylon is fine for even large buck tails.

[SW Lures]

Thanks people, yes y'all have helped a lot. The thread issue was just to find a alternative. The hair tho is becoming a major issue in the way I want to allow the hair to lay. I'm paying more then I should be just to get a percentage of the hair from the tail. Yeah I'll use the rest some time later on.

Yes I want it to flair and when wet to lay down in a shape like a forage fish. From what I have read so far, I need to make some calls to friends. If I can get through this season I should be ok next year. If any see's anything out there for please let me know.

Thanks again,

Dale