Question For Jig Makers...

[Red]

It seems that most of our great jig makers here on BR tie their skirts on with copper wire. I am wondering why this is preferred over the rubber bands? I am going to assume durability is one reason, but what else? Also, has anyone ever used the tiny zip ties to hold the skirt on? Thoughts on that?

Thanks

Cliff

[Chris W]

The wire tie keeps your skirt from pulling down all of the time. And yes I have used zip ties in a pinch.

[FL_Sharpshooter]

Rubber bands will decay and tear over time due to sun exposure and heat. Wire ties keep the skirt consistent to the jig. Most people will either prefer thread, copper wire, or some crafting wire. A lot of the crafting wire is made of steel, which can rust over time. IMHO, your best option is to go with copper (statue of liberty? ), it can't rust, but will change color over time. I've tried zip ties and haven't had a problem as well, but I'd say you're better off with copper wire. Besides, by the time to copper starts to corrode, you're probably due for another jig anyways on account of the hook probably being dull.

[Vodkaman]

Motor windings are copper wire coated in a kind of shellac. It is durable and prevents corrosion. You can buy it on the spool, but if you can find a scrap motor, you will have enough copper wire to last a lifetime, for free. You just keep your eyes open for scrapped motors.

Dave

[FL_Sharpshooter]

Motor windings are copper wire coated in a kind of shellac. It is durable and prevents corrosion. You can buy it on the spool, but if you can find a scrap motor, you will have enough copper wire to last a lifetime, for free. You just keep your eyes open for scrapped motors.

Dave

Yeah, that's actually pretty clever. Most of the windings in speakers, electric motor coils, and transformers have a thin layer of enamel on them. That's probably a good option.

[Jigfishn10]

I personally like to tie with rod builders thread, I can match colors to the skirt or add a red color on a spinnerbait for added attraction. Zip ties in a pinch works great as well.

[cadman]

I use thread as well fl,y tying thread and Coats and Clark upholstery thread. I tie for the same reasons everyone else does. As I can't speak for copper wire, but if you tie with thred, and tie it correctly, your skirt will bulge at the head giving it a fuller look and make it flare more. JMO

[Red]

Thanks for the info guys. I have some skirt material on the way. I have done this in the past with the wire and zip ties. I really suck at doing the wire! No matter how many times or different methods I couldn't get it right. The zip ties were much easier and worked better for me. I was just curious if there was any downside to the zipties.

As for the wire, I will probably try again even though it is tough for me. Will welding wire work? I can get stainless welding wire for free at work. It is .035 size, whatever that means.

Thanks again

Cliff

P.S. Anyone have or can make a quick video of tying a skirt with wire, showing a technique or method?

[cadman]

As for the wire, I will probably try again even though it is tough for me. Will welding wire work? I can get stainless welding wire for free at work. It is .035 size, whatever that means.

Cliff,

Do not use stainless steel welding wire. You will not be able to bend tight wraps with it and you will definitely not be able to twist it. Stainless steel wire is very hard to work with and the welding wire is worse. The (.035) is the diameter or thickness of the wire and that is way too thinck to use even if you could use it. You should be somewhere in the .022-.024 wire ga. thickness and definitely copper, because copper wire is soft and easy to work with. Just my opinion.

[Chris W]

There is a video on wired to fish showing how to tie with wire it would not let me post the link here.

[Skeeterman225]

I use string and wire. Mostly wire on the silicone skirts and thread on my living rubber skirts. As Cadman stated the pressure of the tie will cause more flare on the skirt on a tied one. I use a .24 gauge black coated copper wire for all my wire ties.

[cadman]

Here is a reference as to wire ga versus diameter; I only posted for the common sizes I would use. Anything thinner or thicker will either break or will be hard to wrap. Although copper wire is more forgiving. Keep in mind that there are different hardness in copper wire as well. But like said above, motor windings and craft store copper wire is usually soft and can be wrapped on your jig/skirt easily.

The below numbers are your AWG (Averge Wire Gage) standards and can vary slightly.

22 Ga. = .0286

23 Ga. = .0258

24 Ga. = .023

25 Ga. = .0204

26 Ga. = .0181

[Red]

Ok thanks, I will leave the welding wire for, well, welding I guess. I might be able to round up some small copper at work, I will have to check around the shop. Another question, lets say you make two wraps around your skirt material, how do you finish it off? Twist a couple times and then mash it down?

[backwater4]

Yup, twist and mash. Be careful not to deform the wraps when massing though.

[Munkin]

While it will eventually rust if you strip the coating the green frame hanging wire from Wal-Mart does work and is cheap. I use it on my 5/16oz finish jigs that never last long enough to rust ( I lose like 75 every year0.

Allen

[Bluebasser86]

I use thin craft wire to wrap mine. You can get several yards of it from craft stores for a couple dollars. It probably rusts eventually but I've never managed to keep a jig long enough to find out

[.Paxamus.]

I used to use copper wire, but broke too many Mop skirts, found some galvanized and some green enamel coated floral wire at our local ACE hardware- works great

[Red]

i found some at work I think will be fine. It is thermostat wire. There is ten colored, smaller wires inside. I have enough to last a lifetime!! I just have to strip the colored coating off from it. I will let y'all know how the jigs turn out!

Thanks for all the replies.

Cliff

[Red]

I just thought about another question. How many silicone tabs do you generally use on a jig?

[Chris W]

It depends on how thick you want the skirt. I will always use at least 2 tabs and have used as many as 3.5 tabs. What kind of jigs are you making, Football, flipping, finesse etc?

[Red]

I will be making finesse and flippin jigs, nothing over 1/2oz.

[Jigfishn10]

I tend use between 40 & 50 strands for my jigs, depending on which one I'm making or how much I want to affect the ROF. My tabs (and I don't know if there is a standard) are 20 strands per tab. So between 2 - 3 tabs.

[Chris W]

I will be making finesse and flippin jigs, nothing over 1/2oz.

On my finesse jigs I like to have a fairly fast fall I usually only use 2 tabs so 44 strand skirts. On my flipping jigs I usually use 2.5 to 3 tabs so 55 or 66 strand skirts. Play with it some and see what works for you. I will warn you making jigs is addicting. Especially when it starts getting cold.

[Red]

On my finesse jigs I like to have a fairly fast fall I usually only use 2 tabs so 44 strand skirts. On my flipping jigs I usually use 2.5 to 3 tabs so 55 or 66 strand skirts. Play with it some and see what works for you. I will warn you making jigs is addicting. Especially when it starts getting cold.

Yeah I hear ya, but lucky for me, it never gets "cold" in Texas. people here don't know what real cold is. I was born and raised in upstate NY and spent 5 years in MN, I know what real cold is. It dosen't get cold in Texas.

Cliff