Florist’s Wire

[Bigmouth]

Historically,  I’ve always used the little silicone disks on jig skirts, and just put up with the occasional slippage of the skirt down the hook shank. Just recently, I came across a review of a jig I made, and the only negative was that the skirt slid down the hook shank occasionally.  I’ve noticed on this forum that some of you are using florist’s wire to tie on the skirts.  It sounded like a solution to the slippage problem, so I gave it a try this afternoon.  The results seem really good.  The only thing I can add, is that I tried a double overhand knot just using a single loop of wire. This was a lot faster than doing two loops and twisting the ends together.  I’m wondering now how well this arrangement will hold up in actual use.  Have any of you tried this arrangement?

 

 

[mark poulson]

I have not tried your method.  It sounds like it would work.

What gauge wire are you using?

The wire I use would be hard to tie into a knot.

I use thread to tie my skirts, and then 28 ga wire to wrap them more solidly.

 

Edited July 5, 2018 by mark poulson

[Bigmouth]

Mark, I used 26 gague wire.  The double overhand knot is like the first step in tying your shoe, except you do it twice instead of adding the bow, then pull it snug.  I used two pair of pliers to do the snugging part.  It’s illustrated visually on the Internet.  The tie still looks like it will last forever.  It’s going to be awhile before I can try it on the lake, so I thought I’d check with you guys.  Any testing reports will be welcome.

[21xdc]

Copper craft wire in 20-24 gauge works best I think. 

[Bigmouth]

Thanks,  I’ll look for some.

 

[Apdriver]

Artistic wire has many colors and gauges. They were bought by beadolon but here’s a link. Have ordered several times from them and no problems at all.

https://www.beadalon.com/artistic_wire/artistic_wire_colors.asp

[Jig Man]

The wire I use is copper and came out of an electric motor from my table saw.  If I ever get it all used up a have another motor on a shelf waiting to take over.

[Kasilofchrisn]

I don't make bass jigs but mostly very large saltwater jigs.

I use ss aircraft wire that comes in a cardboard cannister and comes out a hole in the top.

Not sure how many feet are in one but it lasts a long long time.

Then I use a Clamptite tool to secure the skirts.

Not sure if it would work on those tiny bass jigs but a single wrap using the Clamptite works awesome on my saltwater jigs.

https://clamptitetools.com/

[21xdc]

I prefer using 6in manual  (No spring return) safety wire twister pliers.  Wrap wire two times and pull tag ends snug and twist. Cut off tags and bend over. I have not found a faster, cleaner looking method that makes the skirt look alive. 

[mark poulson]

4 hours ago, 21xdc said:

I prefer using 6in manual  (No spring return) safety wire twister pliers.  Wrap wire two times and pull tag ends snug and twist. Cut off tags and bend over. I have not found a faster, cleaner looking method that makes the skirt look alive. 

I use needle nose vise grips the same way, but your post reminds me that I bought a pair of safety twist pliers, years ago, and now I'm going to have to do a full on garage search to find them!

[Munkin]

I recommend 22 guage craft wire as it works best overall. The green gardening wire I used rusted and broke.

 

Allen

[Dink Master]

Yes 22 Gauge craft wire works the best for me.

[SlowFISH]

On 7/6/2018 at 10:03 AM, mark poulson said:

I use needle nose vise grips the same way, but your post reminds me that I bought a pair of safety twist pliers, years ago, and now I'm going to have to do a full on garage search to find them!

+2 on Needle Nose vice grips.... work real nice to twist the wire tight.

J.

 

[mark poulson]

On 7/5/2018 at 3:43 PM, mark poulson said:

I have not tried your method.  It sounds like it would work.

What gauge wire are you using?

The wire I use would be hard to tie into a knot.

I use thread to tie my skirts, and then 28 ga wire to wrap them more solidly.

 

Correction.  I use 24 gauge wire for my jig/spinnerbait skirt wraps, and 28 gauge for my spinnerbait R bend reinforcement.

[Bigmouth]

Thanks for all the replies, guys.  I think I’ll try the copper wire, mainly because of the no rust thing.  The double overhand knot still looks solid on the jigs done with  florists wire.  We’ll see how copper holds up with that knot.

[21xdc]

My method uses far less wire and is pretty fast after you do some. 

[dblades]

I don't think you can pull the knots hard enough the skirt won't spin.

[mark poulson]

3 hours ago, dblades said:

I don't think you can pull the knots hard enough the skirt won't spin.

I twist the wire tag ends, and pull up on it as I twist, so it snugs up tightly.

[Bigmouth]

That’s a concern, of course.  I’m no physical giant by any means, but I pulled the ends of the wire until I could see it squeeze into the skirt material and stopped there.  The jigs I finished  in July have shown no signs of wire loosening, although eventually that may happen.  I think that in normal usage the skirt will have to be replaced before the wire loosens, but that is just conjecture, at this point.  Time will tell.   Thanks for your input

[Munkin]

28 minutes ago, Bigmouth said:

That’s a concern, of course.  I’m no physical giant by any means, but I pulled the ends of the wire until I could see it squeeze into the skirt material and stopped there.  The jigs I finished  in July have shown no signs of wire loosening, although eventually that may happen.  I think that in normal usage the skirt will have to be replaced before the wire loosens, but that is just conjecture, at this point.  Time will tell.   Thanks for your input

 

I lose the jig way before that wire will break. Had a swim jig that the hook bent out and weedguard ripped out on a brushpile but wire held.

 

Allen

[Bigmouth]

15 minutes ago, Munkin said:

out

Ha!  I was thinking that.  I wonder what the average life span of a jig is after it’s tied on?   I would guess about two days, if that.

Edited December 8, 2018 by Bigmouth
Trying to get that quote in, but no success

[mark poulson]

When I want to change the skirt on a jig, even one that's been fished a lot, the wire is a bear to remove.

[Bigmouth]

Quote

12 hours ago, mark poulson said:

When I want to change the skirt on a jig, even one that's been fished a lot, the wire is a bear to remove.

 

I agree.  Even the simple double overhand knot that I’ve been talking about is hard to get off with just my thumb nail.  

[Munkin]

14 hours ago, mark poulson said:

When I want to change the skirt on a jig, even one that's been fished a lot, the wire is a bear to remove.

 

I have changed out the skirt on a jig twice in 25 years. The jigs I use most often I carry at least 12 each. 

 

Allen

[21xdc]

Who changes skirts? Most change jigs. Tying another knot is much faster than a skirt for me.