Tying spinnerbait skirts

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I keep getting questions about my unorthodox method of tying spinnerbait skirts with thread... This is my solution to gummed up or dry rotted skirt collars that plague most bass fishermen at one time or another-so here it goes-maybe this should be a tutorial, I don't know!

I very rarely use a vise when luremaking unless I'm tying something so small that it gets lost in my fingers. A vise just slows me down! I can tie a complete lure by the time it takes most folks to get the lure clamped down in the vise. I have buddies who have tried to tie with my method- they say that it is uncomfortable- so use a vise if you wish. I start with the spinnerbait (in this case) grasped by the collar in my left hand with the bend of the hook facing to the right. I pinch the end of the thread (any old nylon button and upholstery thread will do- I like red) between my left thumb and the collar and make a series of overlapping wraps with my bobbin in my right hand. This will lock the thread down and allow me to grasp the spinnerbait by the head without the thread slipping. I use silicone skirt layers to tie my spinnerbait skirts- about three half layers (cut lengthwise)is right for an average bulk skirt. This is where your creativity comes into play- you can use as few or as many colors as you like- as long as you stick with the width of the three layers! Lay the fused end (the cut side should be facing the spinnerbait head with the strands parallel to the hook shank) on the collar- even with the ball or ring- and make two wraps with the thread. Continue this process until you use all of the skirt material (I lay it out before starting to tie) placing each color where you want it. When every strand is in the right place, wrap the thread around the skirt material tightly until the whole width of the collar is covered (about 1/4" or the width of a regular skirt collar) and cinch the thread down with a trople half-hitch. If you take your time and cinch it down carefully, the knot will "dig in" to the wraps and bury itself- and IT WILL NEVER COME UNDONE!!! Trim the tag end of the thread in close and trim the skirt to the desired legnth and YOU'RE DONE! It may sound like a lot of work but, it will look better and be more durable than any bait you can buy... Isn't that the reason we all get ourselves into this mess of making custom tackle in the first place? Questions and comments are always welcome!

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