How to wire tie a jig

[Munkin]

 

Tools I use; suction cup vise (Harbor Freight $15), Twisting pliers (Harbor Freight $8), and 22 gauge craft wire that can be purchased at any art supply store like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, AC Moore, etc. You can use other gauges but overall 22 gauge is the best IMO as it does not cut the strands and is flexible enough to hold in place.

 

More to follow once my pics actually upload.

 

Allen

 

 

[Munkin]

 

Place the jig in the vice as such, make sure the strands are separated by front/rear of the collar.

 

 

Next I cut about a 3" section of wire and even though it is longer than needed it just makes things easier.

[Munkin]

 

Bend the wire in a U shape with the ends facing upward.

 

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Grab the two ends with the plyers and engage the lock. Slowly pull up to tighten the wire but be careful not to; break the wire, cut the strands, or bunch up all the skirt material. This takes some practice but within a few skirts you will master the amount of pressure needed. 

[Munkin]

 

While holding the jig I pull the handle of the twisting pliers all the way out. I then grab the pliers themselves and let go of the twisting handle. This allows the handle to unwind and not de-wind the wire. You will do this 3 or 4 times  until the wire is tight enough to hold the skirt in place.

 

 

Here is what it looks like after twisting the wire down. At this point I roll the skirt collar off and cut the wire threads down to about 1/8" and bend them down against the collar.

 

 

Allen

 

[Jrob78]

Nice write up, I've been using 24g wire and I've had it break a few times. I might have to try 22 for a little extra strength. Those twisting pliers are cool too, gonna have to swing by Harbor Freight.

[Bassnado]

I use 26 gauge coated copper wire (black coat).  I break it once and a while when tying, but thats when I am in a hurry and pull too hard.  I have tried 22 gauge and 20 gauge and those are a bit easier to work with, but I prefer the tightness of the 26 gauge tie. Its much more compact.   I have never had the 26 gauge wire break when fishing.  

 

[fishwizzard]

I just started tying jigs this year was shocked at how easy it is. I use a senko-sized o-ring to hold the skirt in place, it’s loose enough to make fluffing/adjusting the strands easy but tight enough to hold them in place while I twist the wire. 

 

What I really want to find is a straw that is the perfect size to slide over the weedguard.  I use painters tape now to wrap it but a straw would be so much faster. 

 

[Munkin]

7 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

What I really want to find is a straw that is the perfect size to slide over the weedguard.  I use painters tape now to wrap it but a straw would be so much faster. 

 

They sell those at the lure parts places but I do not know what they are called. They are made so you can powder paint a jig that already has the weedguard poured.

 

Allen

https://barlowstackle.com/Heat-resistant-Tubing--P1200/

 

Found it

[fishwizzard]

3 minutes ago, Munkin said:

They sell those at the lure parts places but I do not know what they are called. They are made so you can powder paint a jig that already has the weedguard poured.

 

Allen

https://barlowstackle.com/Heat-resistant-Tubing--P1200/

 

Found it

Hah, never even though to look for tubing, I have just been taking straws home in my pocket every time I encounter a good looking size.  

[Munkin]

To Glenn, I am sorry for the multiple posts I just made them as a pics showed up to be loaded.

 

Allen

[Munkin]

21 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

Nice write up, I've been using 24g wire and I've had it break a few times. I might have to try 22 for a little extra strength. Those twisting pliers are cool too, gonna have to swing by Harbor Freight.

 

Thanks for the compliment! I have tried a lot of different wire sizes and this just works best for me overall. I know a lot of guys use that green garden wire which will work but it rusts very quickly IMO and will break. If I am going to take the time to wire tie something I want it to last.

 

Allen

[Deleted account]

I do it the same way, but just with my hands. I do use a needle nose to gently pull the ends before twisting. I find that if you hold the inner skirt against the hook, and hold vertical so the outer hangs down, the collar is exposed for wrapping. Takes maybe 30 seconds after you've done a few. I use naked copper wire from the craft store.

[Jig Man]

On 7/17/2019 at 7:26 AM, fishwizzard said:

I just started tying jigs this year was shocked at how easy it is. I use a senko-sized o-ring to hold the skirt in place, it’s loose enough to make fluffing/adjusting the strands easy but tight enough to hold them in place while I twist the wire. 

 

What I really want to find is a straw that is the perfect size to slide over the weedguard.  I use painters tape now to wrap it but a straw would be so much faster. 

 

Are you buying the jig heads or pouring your own?   They are so much easier to tie without the weed guard in.   If buying can you get them without the weed guard installed?

[fishwizzard]

I am buying them.  So far I have just bought Boss Heads as I could get them in the same shipment as the skirt materials.   

[Jig Man]

Seibert Outdoors, smalljaw, or Carman might make them for you and leave the weed guard off so you can tie them then glue the guard in.

[waymont]

So you don't do one full 'go around' of the wire on the jig collar? I find that it spreads the distribution of pressure on the skirt and never slips or cuts the skirt material.

[Munkin]

2 hours ago, waymont said:

So you don't do one full 'go around' of the wire on the jig collar? I find that it spreads the distribution of pressure on the skirt and never slips or cuts the skirt material.

I do two wraps but I can see where I am missing a pic in the sequence. Bend the wire in a horseshoe and place it over the jig points down, then pull them up and around to the top. Slowly pull the two ends with the pliers until tight then start twisting. My wraps look like a split ring with the two cut ends twisted together.

 

Allen

[waymont]

45 minutes ago, Munkin said:

I do two wraps but I can see where I am missing a pic in the sequence. Bend the wire in a horseshoe and place it over the jig points down, then pull them up and around to the top. Slowly pull the two ends with the pliers until tight then start twisting. My wraps look like a split ring with the two cut ends twisted together.

 

Allen

Cool. That’s the style I do. Looks just like a split ring as you said. Nice pics.

[Munkin]

9 minutes ago, waymont said:

Cool. That’s the style I do. Looks just like a split ring as you said. Nice pics.

My first write up so there was bound to be an issue.  Once I get my shop set up I plan on making videos.  Being a visual learner I can learn more in a 15 minute video than I can reading a bunch of articles. 

 

Allen 

[Jason Penn]

i've wanted to wire tie, but the couple of attempts i've made haven't been very good. i don't have a vise, so that's my problem.

 

i've been using o rings to make up skirts, then just use 15#-20# line and use a uni knot and cinch down. the o rings are much easier for me to work with than skirt collars, and it gives you plenty of room on the jig collar to flare the skirt wherever you want.

 

 

[Munkin]

34 minutes ago, Jason Penn said:

i've wanted to wire tie, but the couple of attempts i've made haven't been very good. i don't have a vise, so that's my problem.

 

i've been using o rings to make up skirts, then just use 15#-20# line and use a uni knot and cinch down. the o rings are much easier for me to work with than skirt collars, and it gives you plenty of room on the jig collar to flare the skirt wherever you want.

 

 

Look into the vise I posted above as it is $15 and uses a suction cup. I wire my jigs at the kitchen counter or on a outside glass table. 

 

Allen 

[moguy1973]

That all seems like a lot of work for something that can break off and lose it on a snag or a fish.  I usually just take a small sized black nylon zip tie and cinch it down on the jig. haven't had one fall off yet and it's quick and easy to do.  The zip tie will last longer than the skirts most likely.

[Jason Penn]

2 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

That all seems like a lot of work for something that can break off and lose it on a snag or a fish.  I usually just take a small sized black nylon zip tie and cinch it down on the jig. haven't had one fall off yet and it's quick and easy to do.  The zip tie will last longer than the skirts most likely.

i've done that with spinnerbait skirts

[smalljaw67]

 

[Munkin]

 

Update: I have found that using these little hair clips keeps all the strands together and out of the way for tying.

 

Allen