Bucktail swim jigs for deep structure

[CJ]

I find myself being drawn to the vise at least once or twice a day. I played around with some color today and I thought I would introduce y'all to a model I've kept to myself for the most part. It's a jointed version that features a trailer hook. It has more action and a bigger profile. I also included a pic of a wet jig to show what form these jigs take once wet. 

 

[Jrob78]

Your ties are beautiful!

[smalljaw67]

Very nice!!!! Most anglers will cite the natural action of buck tail but you believe as I do, it is more about the profile of that material as it looks just like a minnow when in the water. The articulated version is getting popular, not all know of it but it is being used a lot now because it is getting harder and harder to find super long buck tail for the preacher style jigs. So what some jig makers are doing is tying an articulated like you have done so that they use normal size buck tail but because it is in two different body parts or segments, it creates the same effect and a lot of anglers I spoke with that use it believe it gives it a different action which works better during warmer water conditions. I know Nichols lures is mass producing that design and I believe Hog Farmer lures is now making articulated hair jigs by request. I'll say this, I like how seamless your articulated jig looks, that shows the level of talent as it isn't easy to pull off, that alone is impressive. I don't get to do many of that type because we don't have those deep clear water impoundments that have deep structure which is where these type of jigs work well, but I do make a heavybuck tail swim jig, but I tie it in a manner that gives it the minnow profile but the action comes from a grub that I use as a trailer, otherwise most of my creations are 1/4oz and under but I do love the look of those jigs and the tying is top notch to say the least.

[CJ]

46 minutes ago, smalljaw67 said:

Very nice!!!! Most anglers will cite the natural action of buck tail but you believe as I do, it is more about the profile of that material as it looks just like a minnow when in the water. The articulated version is getting popular, not all know of it but it is being used a lot now because it is getting harder and harder to find super long buck tail for the preacher style jigs. So what some jig makers are doing is tying an articulated like you have done so that they use normal size buck tail but because it is in two different body parts or segments, it creates the same effect and a lot of anglers I spoke with that use it believe it gives it a different action which works better during warmer water conditions. I know Nichols lures is mass producing that design and I believe Hog Farmer lures is now making articulated hair jigs by request. I'll say this, I like how seamless your articulated jig looks, that shows the level of talent as it isn't easy to pull off, that alone is impressive. I don't get to do many of that type because we don't have those deep clear water impoundments that have deep structure which is where these type of jigs work well, but I do make a heavybuck tail swim jig, but I tie it in a manner that gives it the minnow profile but the action comes from a grub that I use as a trailer, otherwise most of my creations are 1/4oz and under but I do love the look of those jigs and the tying is top notch to say the least.

Thanks guys! Nichol's version doesn't have the trailer hook I don't believe, they may have added it since I first saw their model late last year. I haven't seen Hogfarmer's. One thing this type jig does do is it separates the bucktail from the feathers some and frees up the feathers for more action. I can also reach up to 10" jigs this way to make a giant version. Though Nichols only ties feathers to their rear, I add some bucktail to it. I think that helps hide the seam but I actually tried to show the joint in the pic. Of course, they probably don't have the resources to get prime tails with some length or they want to keep the cost down. I've been fortunate to have a good supplier for long haired tails. I'm currently stocked up with some beauties as long as 7" hairs! But as we get later in the year, they will become more scarce and we may see it get worse with growing popularity of these type jigs.

[Will Wetline]

Yet more outstanding work from CJ!

 

[A-Jay]

Very Nice ~

A-Jay

[kickerfish1]

Outstanding work!

[Paul Roberts]

Very nice, CJ.

Have you ever tried making fish tails with trimmed feather ends? Here's an example using a turkey flat:

[CJ]

1 hour ago, Paul Roberts said:

Very nice, CJ.

Have you ever tried making fish tails with trimmed feather ends? Here's an example using a turkey flat:

I have toyed around with trimming the tails on feathers some. When I first started designing or coming up with a recipe for the ledge jigs I tried trimming for length and learned that by cutting the ends, I lost action tremendously. I haven't ever tried trimming to shape and I'm sure what you have done would work. Looks nice!

[roadwarrior]

I am REALLY excited about you new jigs. They are even more impressive in hand!

 

[Bassboy98]

Do you pour your own jig heads?

[CJ]

4 hours ago, Bassboy98 said:

Do you pour your own jig heads?

Yes I do.

[Bassboy98]

On 2/24/2016 at 0:58 PM, CJ said:

Yes I do.

What model of jig mold is that? 

[CJ]

55 minutes ago, Bassboy98 said:

What model of jig mold is that? 

It's a tear drop. Not sure of the number.