Hair Jigs: Darter Head vs Ballhead

[Kdizzle]

Hi fellas I was wondering if any of you that tie your own hair jigs, have a better experience at actually catching fish with a darter head instead of a ball head?  I keep hearing about how superior the Outkast Feider Fly is to a more traditional style ball head, with its darter style, but since I am entirely disinclined to spend that much money on a hair jig I was wondering if simply buying a few cheap Kalins Darter heads then just painting and tying them myself would be worth the money?

[gar383]

I don't tie my own but use football heads a lot preferably 3/16 up to 1/4oz.  I found that they were a little better in rocks and don't get hung up as much as the traditional ball head, also for hair I use Bear, Fox, and Bucktail, usually with a small trailer.

[Stasher1]

On 12/29/2020 at 7:05 PM, Kdizzle said:

Hi fellas I was wondering if any of you that tie your own hair jigs, have a better experience at actually catching fish with a darter head instead of a ball head?  I keep hearing about how superior the Outkast Feider Fly is to a more traditional style ball head, with its darter style, but since I am entirely disinclined to spend that much money on a hair jig I was wondering if simply buying a few cheap Kalins Darter heads then just painting and tying them myself would be worth the money?

 

What makes the Feider Fly better than something like the Spro Phat Fly (about $1.75 each) or the Punisher hair jigs (about $2.50 each)?

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spro_Phat_Fly_2pk/descpage-SPHF.html

 

https://punisherlures.com/collections/jigs

[Team9nine]

3 hours ago, Stasher1 said:

 

What makes the Feider Fly better than something like the Spro Phat Fly (about $1.75 each) or the Punisher hair jigs (about $2.50 each)?

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Spro_Phat_Fly_2pk/descpage-SPHF.html

 

https://punisherlures.com/collections/jigs

 

Feider’s name is attached to it...

No, wait, that is a different post  

 

Actually, Fieder’s tie is a long marabou tie, unlike the two you mention which are closer to traditional hair ties. Different purpose and appearance. Just a specific regional difference that may or may not make a difference depending on local waters.

[Guitarfish]

I have used both but seem to get bit on the ball heads more.  Strange to me because the darter heads seem to be smoother tracking.  Maybe the ball head induces some kind of subtle wobble?

 

I use the 1/8 oz. Owner jigs

[WRB]

Darts are designed for swimming not bottom contact. 

Ball head can do both swimming and bottom contact.

Football head is designed for rocky bottom contact.

Select a jig type for how you fish.

Marabou isn’t hair, it’s feathers.

Unless you already have a jig vice, thread bobbin and all the needed stuff to tie flies the cost adds up fast.

Just use dyed deer tail hair (bucktail) from the backside. Never trim the hair tapered ends.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[Munkin]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

Darts are designed for swimming not bottom contact. 

Ball head can do both swimming and bottom contact.

Football head is designed for rocky bottom contact.

Select a jig type for how you fish.

Marabou isn’t hair, it’s feathers.

Unless you already have a jig vice, thread bobbin and all the needed stuff to tie flies the cost adds up fast.

Just use dyed deer tail hair (bucktail) from the backside. Never trim the hair tapered ends.

Good luck.

Tom

 

 

This explains everything you need to know.

 

Allen

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I prefer dart heads to ball heads unless I'm dragging.  I like to use darter heads with a longer collar, I think it may help keep the jig horizontal on the fall.  I like 1/16 #1 Owner Ultra Darter Heads, I can use them for Keitechs, Hair Jigs or just about anything else I want to swim.  I like the Gami 211 for an AP ball head for micro hair jigs.