The great skirt debate

[cpvenom]

Which type of spinnerbait/jig skirt do you prefer? Silicone or rubber or even a combination? Just FYI, the silicone ones are the flat ones, rubber are the round strands that sometimes stick together in high heat.

[fourbizz]

Whats the big debate? Skirt up or skirt down, whats the difference...

[RoLo]

The first skirts were made of vinyl strands and they were a Horror Show!

They had poor action, they readily melted into other polymeric products and the strands ultimately became stiff.

Then latex skirts (rubber skirts) came to the rescue, which didn't melt, and had better action and suppleness.

Finally, silicone skirts were introduced which are highly durable and take-up "colors" considerably better than rubber.

In any case, there are some old timers who insist that rubber skirts provide somewhat more action than silicone.

In order to corner the market, some manufacturers are making skirts that consist of a mixture of both silicone and latex strands.

Although I prefer a silicone skirt, I wouldn't reject a lure that used latex instead.  

Roger

[jomatty]

personally i just cant tell enough of a difference to have a strong preference.  the colors make me lean towards silicone.  some folks say the rubber has more action  but perhaps im not paying enough attention and just am missing some subtlties.

matt

[Raul]

I prefer living rubber ( latex ), it flares more and has more action than silicone but it has several drawbacks:

1.- They dry out with time and become brittle

2.- They loose color with time, in the case of white it yellows.

3.- The strands can stick together for good

4.- The colors are not as vivid

Silicone is a better material in all aspects except in one, the flare.

[Jig Man]

My favorite skirt material is cotton.  There isn't much nicer than a cotton mini on a hottie.  OOps for fishing I like rubber.

[SDoolittle]

I choose silicone only because rubber falls apart too quickly.

[Tucson]

Gotta vote for the skirts full of hot chick.  Especially when they smooth it down before they sit.  Actually, haven't seen that in years.  Haven't seen that many skirts either now that women cross dress so much.  Oh, wearing jeans, T-shirts and traditional man-garb isn't cross dressing?  My mistake.  

[Munkin]

Silicone for the colors for most bait except flippin jigs. For flippin jigs I use MicroMunch tackle skirts because they have the bulkiest profile. I forget what they are made of but Earthworm77 or one of his prostaff will probably post on them? Hands down they are the best flippin jig skirt out there! I caught my PB on one this spring a 24" LM.

Allen

[pipho]

Silicone for the colors for most bait except flippin jigs. For flippin jigs I use MicroMunch tackle skirts because they have the bulkiest profile. I forget what they are made of but Earthworm77 or one of his prostaff will probably post on them? Hands down they are the best flippin jig skirt out there! I caught my PB on one this spring a 24" LM.

Allen

Are you talking about Hydrosilk?