How long to make the jig tail?

[bcripps]

Does anyone have an opinion on how long a jig tail should be in relation to the location of the business end of the hook? I know the general consensus when rigging saltwater trolling lures is to keep the hook to the aft end of the skirt leading me to believe that the fish attack from the rear, but does the same hold true for jigs? I have seen jigs with very long tails. Does this encourage short bites or do fish strike jigs from the front? Or does any of this matter as long as the hook has sufficient

[Pickerel Pete]

Hair and feather jigs for freshwater should have 1/3 of the material extending past the bend of the hook.

I think this would apply to most saltwater patterns as well.

Plastics seem to vary from that depending what you are fishing for and how you are fishing it.

Check the gallery here and it will give you an idea on tied jigs.

Garry.

[bcripps]

Thanks Garry

[HookUp]

Freshwater

Two ways.

1. No tail. Trim anything past the shank of the hook. Use a plastic 'pig' trailer. Have caught fish in salt w/ this jig.

2. Long tail. Personal choice on length. Use rabbit hair zonker strips. No 'pig' needed.