Skirt strand count for spiinnerbaits, swim jigs, vibrating jigs?

[Grim_Reaver]

Would 50 strands or 60 strands be better for the above mentioned lures? I plan on using swimbaits and flukes as trailers.

[cadman]

If you're using silicone tabs, I use about 2.5 tabs that is 55 strands (not folded over)

If you're using round rubber in fine or medium, I use 1 (1") tab x 5"

If you are using Starflash 1 full skirt

 

This is what I use, the more strands you put on the slower the fall, but the fuller the skirt. Just personal preference.

 

[Grim_Reaver]

Okay, so if I want the bait to fall slower, more skirt strands help with the buoyancy. Will the number of skirt strands also affect how the bait tracks through the water?

[cadman]

4 hours ago, Grim_Reaver said:

Okay, so if I want the bait to fall slower, more skirt strands help with the buoyancy. Will the number of skirt strands also affect how the bait tracks through the water?

Yes, more strands will make a bait fall slower, however this also has to do with spinnerbait head weight and blades. Smaller blades and smaller body (1/4 oz) with a thick skirt will fall much slower than a 3/8 oz spinnerbait  with bigger blades and the same skirt.  Also, you can get a bait to go deeper or shallower depending on how fast you crank. There are a lot of variables to consider. As far as tracking I never seen a difference regarding skirts, however more strands will have more resistance. So if you put on 80 strands of starflash skirt material, you might feel more resistance when cranking versus 40 strands of silicone. This is just my opinion, but find a spinnerbait that you like, and try to copy it with head, wire and blade size, then you can put on a skirt and the rest will be in you reeling slow or fast.

[Grim_Reaver]

Alrighty then, thanks for the help

[Munkin]

If you want a bulky skirt that falls slower look into the Starflash skirts.

 

Allen

[Bdnoble84]

With lighter jigs i want to swim i stick around 40 strands, particularly with 1/4 oz jugs. Seems i can keep the skirt more even, letting it track better. The more i put on, the more likely i seem to be to get my jig unbalanced. This isnt a big deal for heavier jigs but it definitely impacts my lighter jigs, particularly in current

[Michigander]

It also depends what you're trying to mimic with your presentation. When I am trying to imitate a crappie or bluegill, then I use very full skirts. But when I am imitating a perch or some kind of minnow, I use very thin skirts.

[Grim_Reaver]

A wealth of knowledge here. I'm mainly trying to mimic bluegills and I prefer to slow roll my spinnerbaits and swim jigs. I primarily fish shallow water and 3/8oz heads are usually by go to size. Up until now, the SK hack attack swim jig was my go to but I'm looking to assemble my own now. The skirt was kinda thin for my liking and they're pretty pricey when they get snagged or the weedguard falls out.

[Munkin]

Bluegill colored swim jigs and spinnerbaits are my specialty. 

 

Allen 

[Bluebasser86]

I tie big, bulky spinnerbaits and typically use 3-4 tabs of silicone material.

 

Bladed jigs get 2-2.5.

 

Swim jigs get 1.5-2 tabs.

[Bdnoble84]

On spinnerbaits lately ive been tying the skirt in a hula or hole in 1 type style. All the skirt material is fanned out over top and no underlying material. I like it because it gives the skirt a nice fat profile the pulses well but also conservs on strands. A 40 strand skirt will have 80 strandson the top. 

[Hook2Jaw]

21 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I tie big, bulky spinnerbaits and typically use 3-4 tabs of silicone material.

 

Bladed jigs get 2-2.5.

 

Swim jigs get 1.5-2 tabs.

How many strands does this end up being, Blueby?

[Bluebasser86]

2 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

How many strands does this end up being, Blueby?

Spinnerbaits=66-88 strands

 

Bladed jigs=44-approx 55

 

Swim Jigs=approx 33-44

[fishballer06]

I vary mine up, basically depending on how fancy I want to get with accent colors and such. I've played around and I used to build my skirts with 55-66 strands each, but I've had just as much success using 44-50 strands. 

 

I recently bought some Thunder Crickets and a few Lucky Craft spinnerbaits for the frames. After taking off the skirts to put my own on, I compared the factory skirts to some 44 and 50 strand skirts that I made and the factory skirts are significantly thinner than mine. I wouldn't be surpised if these Thunder Cricket skirts have 33 strands (or less).