Rabbit Jigs

[Guest]

Does anybody use them? I've caught some random big fish on them in the dead of winter. I was talking to my dad about obscure lures they might bite & he reminded me of the rabbit jig. I don't think you can buy them anymore? All the jigs I've got have been hand tied over the past few years. 

[Hog Wally]

I fish with a guy who uses them a lot and he catches fish on them regurlarly.  

[Al Agnew]

I guess I'm the guy Hog Wally fishes with.  I use rabbit almost exclusively for my hair jigs.  But...it's not so much because I think it's better than anything else, but that it's easier and quicker for me to tie than most anything else.  I can get a three color crosscut rabbit jig tied in about 10 minutes, and that's without a whole lot of practice.  To be honest, I suspect that it doesn't really matter all that much what material you use in a hair jig in the winter, it's where and how you fish it.  

Having said all that, I gotta admit that I just don't like the looks of bucktail in a hair jig.  If I'm not using all rabbit, I'm using marabou.  I know some guys use slightly more exotic hair, but I do just fine with the rabbit so I'll stick with it.

[Hog Wally]

11 minutes ago, Al Agnew said:

I guess I'm the guy Hog Wally fishes with.  I use rabbit almost exclusively for my hair jigs.  But...it's not so much because I think it's better than anything else, but that it's easier and quicker for me to tie than most anything else.  I can get a three color crosscut rabbit jig tied in about 10 minutes, and that's without a whole lot of practice.  To be honest, I suspect that it doesn't really matter all that much what material you use in a hair jig in the winter, it's where and how you fish it.  

Having said all that, I gotta admit that I just don't like the looks of bucktail in a hair jig.  If I'm not using all rabbit, I'm using marabou.  I know some guys use slightly more exotic hair, but I do just fine with the rabbit so I'll stick with it.

Good guess.  Lol.  

[Guest]

the biggest walleye that I've ever hooked was dragging a rabbit hair jig 1/4oz. This thing was every bit of 10 pounds & there was nothing I could do. He raced to the canoe & rammed his head on the side jarring the hook loose. I will never forget it. Landed a 18" on the next cast it was like a fish stick compared to that beast. I usually tie a small clump of olive buck tail on the top side of my rabbit jogs. Really nice look in the water. 

[top_dollar]

They work great for me! I personally like fox squirrel tails.  I also use rabbit strips.  They work extremely well for me during clear water situations.  Warm or cold water doesnt matter for me, just needs to be clear.  They work well at table rock and stockton for me, as well as on the lower meremac ( when its clear) and upper big.

[Mitch f]

I stopped using using rabbit a while back. Not because it doesnt work (as a matter of fact they work well.), but because its difficult to find rabbit hair thats long enough, or more importantly, find hide that isnt as hard as a rock. The hide tanning process they use apparently varies greatly, because if the hide is too thick, or wasnt tanned correctly, the jig has bad action. Im also a big believer in different types of hair/fur on the same jig. A real crawfish has several parts on his body moving at different speeds. Mouth parts, legs, antenna, claws...all with different action. Plus, every type hair/ feathers has a different degree of robustness. For craw imitations i use Marabou, Arctic fox, and my new favorite raccoon. Raccoon seems to have the best of both worlds,action plus durability. I agree with with Al on the bucktail

Then there are minnow imitation hair jigs. This is where I most always use a small strip of fine bucktail on the top of the back. It gives it a spine and flows more naturally like a Ned rig almost. Have you noticed that all marabou crappie jigs bend 90 degrees in the middle when falling? the small amount of bucktail prevents this. Bucktail is another thing that is difficult to find good ones. Too many Northern Bucks instead of Southern Does. For my jigs the hollow body aspect of bucktail is not what i want.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Try mink strips.  Deadly action.

[Smalliebigs]

2 hours ago, Mitch f said:

I stopped using using rabbit a while back. Not because it doesnt work (as a matter of fact they work well.), but because its difficult to find rabbit hair thats long enough, or more importantly, find hide that isnt as hard as a rock. The hide tanning process they use apparently varies greatly, because if the hide is too thick, or wasnt tanned correctly, the jig has bad action. Im also a big believer in different types of hair/fur on the same jig. A real crawfish has several parts on his body moving at different speeds. Mouth parts, legs, antenna, claws...all with different action. Plus, every type hair/ feathers has a different degree of robustness. For craw imitations i use Marabou, Arctic fox, and my new favorite raccoon. Raccoon seems to have the best of both worlds,action plus durability. I agree with with Al on the bucktail

Then there are minnow imitation hair jigs. This is where I most always use a small strip of fine bucktail on the top of the back. It gives it a spine and flows more naturally like a Ned rig almost. Have you noticed that all marabou crappie jigs bend 90 degrees in the middle when falling? the small amount of bucktail prevents this. Bucktail is another thing that is difficult to find good ones. Too many Northern Bucks instead of Southern Does. For my jigs the hollow body aspect of bucktail is not what i want.

I tie almost exclusively Rabbit  and occasionally Bear. Mitch is right it can be a pain in the butt. The right fur is a must but, they do work no doubt. I also tie some Rabbit, Maribo and synthetic hair jigs that I copied from a guy online....they work pretty good also.

I also just the other day tied some Rabbit and Buck and some hair and feathers for the trout parks.

My basement is currently devoted to jig tying and tackle storage  right now

 

[Guest]

Those craw patterns look awesome!

so, I’m needing to tie up shad & Minnow patterns for walleye & smallmouth. Any suggestions on material?

The biggest walleye that I’ve ever seen ate my rabbit jig & broke me off at the boat. It was a double digit caliber Wally.