Ledge Fishing Hair Jigs

[smalljaw67]

Well I was finally able to acquire some long bucktail and long quality hackle to make some "Preacher" style jigs. These are 1/2oz banana style heads with a 5/0 Gamakatsu 604 hook, the battern is a simple "blue shad". There is flash in the jig just very hard to see because of my lousy photo skills, the jigs have a total length of 6.5" and I'm in the process of testing out a 3/8oz version that has a 4/0 Gamakatsu 604 hook and the finished length is 5.5" for small bodies of water where you are fishing drops that range from 8' to 14' deep. I figured I'd show them to give others interested in this type of jig a model to look at to give an idea of what the deal is with these. I have tied them for years, but most were using them for stripers and a few guys knew that bass hit these jigs too but it wasn't until the pros got caught using them that they became popular. These are fished without a trailer, instead they use saddle hackle to provide a little movement while the bucktail makes a perfect baitfish profile. Anyway, when large manufacturers began making them again, the extra long bucktail needed to make them dried up and became hard to find, and even a lot of the same companies are using synthetic hair to make them. Enjoy the picture and if you have any questions about this type of hair jig I'll gladly answer them, that is if I know the answer.

 

[A-Jay]

Very Nice ~

I also like the video tie you did of your Red Throated / Black Back Shad pattern quite a bit

Thx

A-Jay

[smalljaw67]

Dirk, I use the same type of craft fur for a few different kind of jigs but these preacher jigs are too large, the bucktail used on them is 5" in length. The other thing is the way this jig is used, the action comes from the feathers, it gives it a little movement while the bucktail mimics the profile of a bait perfectly. There are some of these being made with synthetic hair like the Hog Farmer jig is made using a synthetic called super hait and Talon Custom lures use regular size bucktail with yak fur synthetic, the one thing common with both the yak fur and the super hair is it comes in long hanks allowing these companies to make a big jig with less expense and better access to material. These jigs are 6.5" to 7.5" in length, but I hear you on the extra select craft fur, that is the exact type I use when I tie craft fur jigs.

[Donnyc71]

I have 4 of the original Preacher jigs that the actual preacher made back in the early 80's. My old friend that took me fishing when I was kid gave them to me. He caught many big fish on them. He actually has an 8 11/2 pound Spotted bass mounted on the wall he caught with one. I started making these a year or so ago. I'm even getting my 11 yr old daughter into making them . When her skill is to the right standard ( which is not far off after seeing her tye a nice one last night!) she is going to sell them  to put herself through college .