Topwater Teaser Tails

[Jigfishn10]

Just got some topwaters in and I want to tie on some teaser tails. I have synthetics, hackle, turkey feathers, marabou, buck tail, calf tail and squirrel tail that I can use. I've been using synthetics and have not used any of the others.

What are your preferences?

[.ghoti.]

That would be a most interesting experiment.

I'll admit to having a lot more confidence in a topwater hardbait with a dressed rear treble.

But, all I've ever used is whatever they came with. Some sort of feathers for the most part. If I had to choose, I'd probably go for marabou. Marabou jigs are just what the doctor ordered for cold water, giving some nice subtle movement with very little input from the angler. Might be really good for a popper when worked very slowly.

Show us some pics of what you come up with. And post the results, please.

[ripinthem]

Got to have that feather tail. I proved it to myself a few weeks ago. Sold!

[PondBoss]

I would go with marabou or buck tail. When I was a kid we used to tie our own striper jigs with buck tail and they were great. It's stiffer than marabou, but I think if you had a strand of reflecting tape in with the tail it would fluter and shine as it slowly fell. Marabou kinda has it's own life with the flow of the bait, adding extra to it may take away from it. I'd go straight marabou or add a bit of flash to the more ridged buck tail.

[Hooligan]

I dress all my topwaters pretty simply. I take about 4-5 strands of crystal flash, run it through the eye so it is doubled, start my thread and tie in a couple hackles. It doesn't take much and I'm a firm believer in that they're a trigger. Because I tie commercially, each takes me about two minutes start to finish. What I've been doing lately, with great success, is 5-7 strands of Flashabou in red or green- doubled through the eye and left a little long. It's been working really well on my Rico's and Popmax.

[bass or bass ?]

I have added feathered trebles to all my surface and floating lures. BIG difference in percentage of strikes.

[Jigfishn10]

Well I made 2 up for now. One with crystal flash and crimped flashabou (my usual teaser tail) and the other with crystal flash and feathers. I do like the one with feathers tho. Changes the whole profile of the bait.

I'm going to try one with marabou feathers. Problem I see using marabou is that it's kind of gentle and doesn't look like it would last long. The other is that it seems like it will retain water and kill the action of the lure. We'll see.

Thank you all for your input.