Jig Question

[getfished]

Hey guys, When I am looking at jigs I prefer those that have thread or wire tied skirts. When I look at my stash I find that the majority of my jigs use an elastic band to hold the skirt. Which style do you prefer and which do you have? It appears that I am buying a jig based on other features and then I am stuck with the however the skirt is fastened.

[Bill P]

Hey guys, When I am looking at jigs I prefer those that have thread or wire tied skirts. When I look at my stash I find that the majority of my jigs use an elastic band to hold the skirt. Which style do you prefer and which do you have? It appears that I am buying a jig based on other features and then I am stuck with the however the skirt is fastened.

I'd buy the jigs I like,and if necessary,add a wire or thread tie to secure the skirts.

[steveearle]

Exactly. Get a spool of 22 gauge copper wire from a craft store, a pair of regular plier, and a set of small tin snips. Double wrap the copper above the rubber collar, twist the copper tight (gently), and then cut the tag end (behind the head), and either leave the rubber collar on, pull it off with the pliers, or slice it off with an exacto or blade...There you have your hand tied jigs...I do this to all my jigs and spinnerbaits (winter project) because if you have the baits long enough the rubber collar will dry rot off. Also you will get uneven/messy skirts if you catch a bunch of fish, especially on the spinnerbait...

[Dutch]

I have them all and I do them all. I can't tell much difference especially with the new bands that don't rot like they used to and are twice or three times as fast to make.

[getfished]

Well, thanks for the replies gents. I think I didn't ask bluntly enough. What I was curious about was do you generally have wire or thread tied skirts? Or do you have the type with the elastic band?

[fozzype]

On "factory" jigs, do you guys really have trouble with the rubber band breaking? On my jigs, I use a a small ziptie. These work well and are fast. Probably not the "pure" thing to do, but I am not a jig nut.

[nwaoutdoorsman]

Just about every jig I use has a rubber collar. I haven't had any trouble with the collars dry rotting. I do have a few jigs that I tied myself with round rubber. I have used a very light wire and also have used thread made for fly tying along with a drop of cement designed for that application. For me, its easier to tie jigs using thread. I don't tie any other than my homemade ones. The brand of jigs I've been buying are bassX and I've been very happy with them. They have a website and do mail orders. Hope this helps.

[techo]

I have a friend (Scotty Rice) that ties his own and uses wire. His jigs last forever. I wish I could get some more! I use the Eakins jigs and they have a rubber skirt keeper. Some of the keepers have a place to put a little rattle in them. I have never had any trouble with the skirts coming off. I drag them over rocks into crevices and everywhere. Never had a skirt problem on jigs. Spinner baits are another matter.

[Bill P]

Just about every jig I use has a rubber collar. I haven't had any trouble with the collars dry rotting. I do have a few jigs that I tied myself with round rubber. I have used a very light wire and also have used thread made for fly tying along with a drop of cement designed for that application. For me, its easier to tie jigs using thread. I don't tie any other than my homemade ones. The brand of jigs I've been buying are bassX and I've been very happy with them. They have a website and do mail orders. Hope this helps.

Any jigs I had that dry-rotted,did it in the lake....long after I left them there!