Bucktail Jigs

What type of thread do you guys use to tie your bucktails with. I have been using some cheap thread I used to make some crappie jigs and want something a little better. Also how do you keep the neck small on them. I think that is the hardest part. Are you guys using collarless jigs. Thanks for any help, I just started tying my own and I am as far away from experienced as you can get.

Howdy,

I use uni-thread, usually the 6/0 size for jigs. You can find all different colors of thread in the fly tying aisles at Sportman’s Warehouse or Gander Mountain for example. While you’re there, pick up a jar of head cement. It works much better than epoxy as it soaks into the thread wraps and hair.
The temptation is to use thick strong thread and really crank on it. You will find in the long run that more turns of smaller thread works better than a few turns of heavy thread. A big part of getting a smaller head is to make sure that your clump of bucktail is “cleaned out”. There are always short hairs and fuzz mixed in with the bucktail. Grab your clump up by the tops and flick at it to get all the junk out. Then hold the end of the clump of hair over the collar and wind a full turn of thread around the hair before you wind around the jig head. That holds the hair together in one spot better and keeps it from squirming around when you tie it down. Wrap a nice neat head and then soak it well with head cement.

There’s no better feeling than sticking a good fish on a jig you made yourself! Have fun!

Rootski

I have tried tying with 6/0 as rootski mentioned and I found that I need something heavier than that to really wind down on the bucktail to get it to stay in position. I’ve found that Kevlar is the only way to go. there are some other “big game” threads that are used and you can get by with those, but I have been really pleased with Kevlar.

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I’ve found that Kevlar is the only way to go

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Kevlar is good stuff and it is really strong. I use it when I tie Bass Bugs. When you tie a Bass Bug you really have to pull hard so it takes a strong thread.

I’d caution you to be careful how hard you pull with Kevlar. You can pull down hard enough to cut the hair you’re trying to tie down. It takes some practice to know how hard that is but it can happen.

Rootski

good replies…
another tip is not to “over bulk” with the deer hair. Look at the Bucktail Waynes at Everts…My ties are only a tad fuller and so far have worked well on Eyes ans Sauger.
I tie heavier for Smallies!

i am trying but man I can not make them things come out perfect…I have an issue with hair coming out above the collar/wrap. Also i seem to always wrap down to far. not that the pretty jig only works but still gets me

Erick, Make sure you square off the bucktail that goes up against the shoulder of the head. I also wrap the thread about 8-9 times on the hook going away from the head and then come back towards the head wrapping about 6 turns leaving you with about 3 turns short of the base of the head. Then I apply some cement to the thread, then lay the hair on top of the hook and lightly wrap your thread around the hair 3-4 times. Spread the hair around the hook and then pull down hard. Finish wrapping the neck. Hope this helps.

Gundy

Go with Kevlar thread, you’ll be glad you did. The use of adhesive is advised too, it’ll make your life easier when tying. Use a toothpick to apply it, which makes it easier to apply small amounts.

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Go with Kevlar thread, you’ll be glad you did. The use of adhesive is advised too, it’ll make your life easier when tying. Use a toothpick to apply it, which makes it easier to apply small amounts.

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Brian you’re alrready giving up the secrets.just kidding.I always use a toothpick or a metal pick to apply some cement as I wrap .By putting the dab on it as you tye it holds great.Another thing ive done is picked up razor tip clippers to cleanup the hair that might extend up under the thread towards the head of the jig.Just remember practice makes perfect.If you really want to scare yourself throw a couple of the jigs you make this winter back somewhere and in a couple years dig them back out so you can see just how much your tying style changes over the years.Good luck.

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Go with Kevlar thread, you’ll be glad you did. The use of adhesive is advised too, it’ll make your life easier when tying. Use a toothpick to apply it, which makes it easier to apply small amounts.

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When I was a kid in my Dad’s sport shop, I took fly tying classes from an older gentleman that was a friend of my Dad’s, and taught fly-tying to kids all over the city. We used to make our own glue…..acetone and ping pong balls. We used a small glass jar, like a baby food jar, cut up about 4 ping pong balls, and add 1 tblsp of acetone per ball. Just let it set overnight. IF you seal it tight, it lasts forever, and you can keep adding to it as you use it up. IT was cheap, easy, and even though it looks milky when wet, it dries clear and will hold the threads forever.

June

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We used to make our own glue

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…again, learning more on Ido by accident than other places by design. Great tip June!

Maybe, just Maybe, I could incorporate some of that (magic glue)into the “little womens” lipstick ??

Has anyone tried that magic thread for tieing a jig?

catmando wrote:

Has anyone tried that magic thread for tying a jig?

I have not tried that thread but I have tied 1000’s of bucktail jigs for the company own using Danville 3/0 flat waxed thread and have NEVER had and complaints.

trumar wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>catmando wrote:</div>
Has anyone tried that magic thread for tying a jig?

I have not tried that thread but I have tied 1000’s of bucktail jigs for the company own using Danville 3/0 flat waxed thread and have NEVER had and complaints.

Thanks guy, going to try and do some steelhead jigs is that starter kit from say Cabelas, a OK deal?

trumar wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>catmando wrote:</div>
Has anyone tried that magic thread for tying a jig?

I have not tried that thread but I have tied 1000’s of bucktail jigs for the company own using Danville 3/0 flat waxed thread and have NEVER had and complaints.

I used to use fly tying thread but that would always break on me. Even the 3x strong thread would break on me when I was making muskie jigs. I now use size A rod making thread and have not had a break off in years. The rod making thread is very strong and there are many different options for it. The metallic rod making thread is not as strong as the other thread. If you want that look just tie with normal rod building thread and go over that with some wraps of metallic thread. I like ProWrap color fast (color treated to withstand fading in the sun) rod winding thread.

Hey, thanks, have plenty of rod thead, I was just tying up some spawn sacs and wondered if that magic thead would work on a jig. Perfection I do not expect.