Bucktail jigs (a.k.a. “hair jigs”) catch fish in freshwater and saltwater. In fact, they are exploited by professional anglers when they compete in tournaments. I started tying my own bucktail jigs because I could not find commercial bucktails in the color profiles, sizes, or shapes that I wanted.
You do not need a phD to tie your own bucktail jigs. All you need is some basic tools: vice, scizzors, bobbin, and bobbin threader. I use the Renzettie traveler 2000 cam vice; great vice at a good price. I recommend a sharp pair of scissors like the Dr. Slick’s tungsten carbide scissors.
The materials you will need are:
- Jig heads
- Bucktails
- Hackle Feathers (optional)
- Flashabou (optional)
- Uni thread 3/0
- Epoxy
There are three things to consider when selecting a jig head:
- Head Geometry
- Head Material (e.g.: Lead, Tin, Pewter, Tungsten)
- Hook
The geometry and size of the jig head depends on what structure and depth you are fishing. Each state has its own recreational fishing laws on lead. I fish in different states. So, I keep it simple. I tie non-lead jigs for freshwater and lead jigs for saltwater. I go with strong and bleeding sharp hooks, no exceptions.
Not all bucktails are equal. First, bucktails vary in hair length. I like long haired Bucktails because they allow me to tie long, medium, or short hair gigs. Second, colors vary across manufactures. Kittery Trading Post in Maine carries a great selection of bucktails from various manufactures. I buy some whenever I am in Kittery, if I need then, or not. 😉
For expoy, I use the Loon Outdoors Hard Head. This odorless and non-toxic thick head cement is available in 13 colors. I select the expoxy color based on the thread color. For example, blue pearlescent on black thread for black/blue hair jigs and green pearlescent on black thread for black/chartresuse hair jigs.
There are various thread colors commercially available. I primarily use black and white 3/0 UNI-thread for my jigs. If I cannot find the thread color that I need, then I use white thread and a permanent marker! 😉
Tying your own bucktail jigs can $ave you money. Custom bucktail jigs give you a competitive advantage. More money. More fish. Custom bucktails are are win/win!!!
