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
JULY 2017 I FLWFISHING . COM 57