New Weedless Jig Idea

[eric1978]

I can't tell you guys how sick I am of hanging up with jigs. Wire guards, fiber guards, doesn't matter. For me it's snag city. So I got to thinking, the most weedless way to fish something is Texas rigged. I came up with this idea and I think it may be a decent one.

I used an off-set shank jighead made for rigging worms with the longest "neck" I could find. The little creature bait is rigged Texas style. This one's a little too orange I think, but you get the general idea. Please forgive the poor tying skills, I'm a rookie.

What do you guys think? Any opinions? If you think it sucks for some reason, please say so...I'm open to suggestions.

[Flysmallie]

You are off to a good start. I really like the idea and will probably steal it.

Now, here are my little nit picky suggestions.

-It looks like you tied the hair in and then trimmed it to length. It would be better to even the tips and then tie it in. There is a little item in the fly tying world called a hair stacker that will help get the tips even. This will give it a "softer" look and it will "breathe" a lot better in the water.

-Work on tying in the thread as close to the head as possible. I know that this is difficult when first beginning and probably does nothing besides making the bait look better to the fisherman.

You have a great idea going. I'm sure that those will catch plenty of fish.

[eric1978]

You are off to a good start. I really like the idea and will probably steal it.

Now, here are my little nit picky suggestions.

-It looks like you tied the hair in and then trimmed it to length. It would be better to even the tips and then tie it in. There is a little item in the fly tying world called a hair stacker that will help get the tips even. This will give it a "softer" look and it will "breathe" a lot better in the water.

-Work on tying in the thread as close to the head as possible. I know that this is difficult when first beginning and probably does nothing besides making the bait look better to the fisherman.

You have a great idea going. I'm sure that those will catch plenty of fish.

Trimming the hair:

Yeah, I've seen those stackers. It wasn't that the hair was too uneven, it just got really puffy and looked a little too big without it trimmed. I'm gonna try using slightly shorter hair for the next one.

Tying:

I think I made the rookie mistake of trying to tie too much hair at one time, which required me to wrap it farther back from the head.

Thanks for the tips!

[ohmz138]

I don't know where to find them, but I have seen bullet weights with various skirts attached that are called "worm dancers". Put them on the line then tie a hook and texas-rig any soft plastic. Good idea.

[Flysmallie]

Tying:

I think I made the rookie mistake of trying to tie too much hair at one time, which required me to wrap it farther back from the head.

Thanks for the tips!

That is one of the biggest rookie mistakes. Trying to use too much material. Another thing you can try is to tie the hair in facing forward or over the head. Make as many wraps as you feel necessary to secure it and then fold it back over the hook. Then just a few wraps behind head to hold it back. This is the way that I tie most of my jigs. It gives it a better looking head and is also helpful when using a couple of different colors of hair.

[eric1978]

That is one of the biggest rookie mistakes. Trying to use too much material. Another thing you can try is to tie the hair in facing forward or over the head. Make as many wraps as you feel necessary to secure it and then fold it back over the hook. Then just a few wraps behind head to hold it back. This is the way that I tie most of my jigs. It gives it a better looking head and is also helpful when using a couple of different colors of hair.

That's a great idea! I'll try that.

[fishinwrench]

Are you using deer body hair, or bucktail ? Bucktail won't flair as much.

When tying your bucktail to the slider head do it in 3 or 4 stages, rather than trying to lash down a big clump all at once. It will be alot more durable.

You can wrap some cactus chenille over your thread wraps to hide them, and give it a bit more bulk, and flash. If you want.

Either way it should catch fish, and looks like it would come through wood cover or weeds pretty good....not so sure about chunk rock though.

Are you determined to use hair ? cuz IMO a silicone skirt (glued on the head) would be better for the application.

ok, I think I'm done nit-picking

[eric1978]

ok, I think I'm done nit-picking

No, nit-pick away, that's what I want.

I'm using bucktail, wrench, but it still seems to flare more than I'd like it to. I would like to get something like chenille to wrap over the thread...my tying supplies are pretty limited at this point.

Why do you think it will have problems getting through rocks?

I think you're right that a silicone skirt would probably lay down better, I just kinda prefer the hair for smallmouth jigs. I don't know, maybe it doesn't matter, I've just always used hair.

Well, here's the second attempt. It's a little better, but to me the hair is still too "puffy." I guess when you pull it through the water it would lay back a little. But the profile of the bait just seems a little too bulky. It's only about 3 1/4" in length, I guess it's not that big. Certainly no bigger than a 1/4 oz spinnerbait.

[fishinwrench]

that'a lookin' better. I think the hair will relax a bit after you get it wet a few times. Two wraps of rootbeer colored Cactus chenille behind the lead and you've got it dicked. I'll stick some in an envelope and put it in the mail if ya want to PM an addy.

I fish Sliders quite a bit, the eyelet directly in front of that pointed nose tends to find little cracks and crevices pretty easy. They usually slingshot right back out though.

[Buckshotdad1960]

Been there done that and it’s a good idea. I’m only impressed with the fact that you came up with the idea independently on your own. This is one of the first signs you see in the separation of the men from the boys. Although you’ve probably been doing it for some time now it’s becoming obvious that you’re starting to think. However its still not 100% weedless, don’t bury the hook too deep or you’ll miss fish and there is no defense against that crevice rock with your name on it. Give it a hair cut and keep the creative juices flowing, nice job!..........And they said you were retarded! Oh wait, I started that rumor! LOL