Cumberland Pro Lures Prayer Jig
Jimmy D’ s River Bugs Scruffy
BUCKTAIL AND DEER HAIR – Bucktail is the predominant choice for ledgefishing hair jigs and striper jigs, which are known by many anglers simply as bucktail jigs. It creates a good baitfish profile in the water, and swishes and flares when the jig changes direction.
Most people believe that all bucktail is hollow, yet buoyancy – and length and color – vary based on where on the deer’ s tail each hair grows. Hair on other parts of the body also varies, and the differences impact the way jigs moves in the water, how fast they sink and how flat the hair lies once it’ s tied to the hook.
Bass fishing bucktails are usually made with white hair taken from the deer’ s tail, and the longer the better. Pros crave bucktail jigs with hair that’ s 7 inches long or longer, though bucktail that long is hard to find.
Some body fur – usually a drab brown color – is more buoyant and flares wider when tied to the hook, which makes for an effective slow-falling finesse jig.
HACKLE FEATHERS – Hackle feathers are used to tie many types of artificial flies and jigs. According to Andrea Sanders, president of Talon Fishing Unlimited in Milam, Texas, which sells a modern version of the classic Preacher Jig, the feathers come from a type of chicken that’ s raised specifically for its hackle. It’ s one of the“ ingredients” Talon uses in its jigs, and is what’ s used to tie the rear part of the skirt to the left.
“ The hackle feathers are used because there’ s a curve to that feather shaft, and there’ s fairly strong webbing on that feather,” says Sanders.“ With that curve, the feather placement, when it’ s done correctly, actually adds action to the jig when it’ s pulled through the water. It’ ll kind of add vibration if it’ s placed right.”
Custom bucktail jig with hackle accents by Jeff Bruyere
DUCK FEATHERS – The term“ duck feather” isn’ t very specific, but in the fishing world a duck feather jig is usually made from feathers pulled from parts of the stomach or flank of a drake mallard. The feathers have a barred gray pattern that somewhat mimics fish scales, and when used as the lone ingredient or with only a little bit of fiber, they create a jig with very little movement. Duck feather jigs are popular for float-n-fly fishing or for tight-lining on light spinning tackle when imitating inactive baitfish in cold water.
Custom duck feather jig by Derrick Snavely
Punisher Lures Float & Fly Duck Feather Jig
MARABOU – A soft, fine feather, marabou is easy to find and has been used for small, fluffy hair jigs for many years. Marabou is mostly relegated to the crappie jig market nowadays, but smallmouth anglers in the Upper Midwest have rediscovered it and made the marabou jig one of the hottest smallie baits in recent years. It has some action when the jig changes direction, but when put in steady motion marabou flattens into an accurate minnow profile.
Custom marabou jig by Jeff Gustafson
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