Fly and jig tying questions

[MNtransplant]

Hello and happy New Years gang,

I got back to MN for some nice crappie action thru the ice last week and now im getting the itch to start prepping for the whites this spring.

For me that starts with whipping up some new jigs and flies. Ive got some materials to try clousers this year and i also plan on doing some maribou and bucktail jigs so a few questions for the fly and jig tie-ers:

1. What hook and eye size seem to work best for clousers for whites? I bought some size 4 hooks and medium eyes that look about right but tell me if you've had better luck going bigger or smaller.

2. What style/brand of jigs are the best for tying bucktail and maribou jigs?..i think i just used some generic ones from acadamy that did pretty well last year but open to some new ideas.

3. Lastly, I noticed while ice fishing on Christmas day that we had to fish a jigging spoon with a rattle or we wouldnt get bit..no rattle=no bites. Im assuming a rattle might help in the dirty water of the little sac at times as well. Have any of you guys had luck finding a jig with rattles that doesnt get in the way of tying?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Also, i know its a long ways off but I'm tentatively planning a trip to the little sac on the Friday before Easter. If anyone wants to meet up or invite me on their boat for a few hours i could probably throw in a half dozen jigs in exchange😄

Good luck in 2020!

[Dutch]

I can only address item #2.  When I tie maribou or or bucktail jigs I want a jig with no collar.  It is way easier to tie and get a good looking product.  The head shape and hook size varies depending on how it is going to be used.http://smg.photobucket.com/user/JigMan/media/DSC00039.jpg.html?sort=2&o=4

 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, MNtransplant said:

1. What hook and eye size seem to work best for clousers for whites? I bought some size 4 hooks and medium eyes that look about right but tell me if you've had better luck going bigger or smaller.

#6 with 1/50oz. eyes for spring runners up in the creeks.

#4 with 1/40oz. eyes for Summer/Fall shad chasers out over bigger water with a sink tip line.

Mustad 3366 bronze, or 34007 stainless

Always use a loop knot on a Clouser.  

8# flouro tippet.

[Flysmallie]

B10S #4 sometimes #2 (Wrench loves these hooks)

Whatever size eyes look good at the moment.

I still like mono.

[MNtransplant]

Here's my first attempt at a clouser. #4 hook, small eyes and purple over white with some flash. Gimme some feedback!!

[fishinwrench]

You nailed it.   

Now quit pretending that you don't know what your doing.  😁

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, MNtransplant said:

Here's my first attempt at a clouser. #4 hook, small eyes and purple over white with some flash. Gimme some feedback!!

I need to get a better look at them and maybe a field trial.  I'll send you my address and you can send over a dozen or so.  

[MNtransplant]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

You nailed it.   

Now quit pretending that you don't know what your doing.  😁

Ha! Thanks Wrench, ive watched a lot of videos but never tried one myself. I think ill make some more!

[ollie]

I tie a lot of jigs and only use the collarless ones as well and I don't paint the head on them either.

[MNtransplant]

On 1/9/2020 at 12:25 PM, ollie said:

I tie a lot of jigs and only use the collarless ones as well and I don't paint the head on them either.

Thanks Ollie, do you have a reasoning/theory for not painting?