A Few Jig Questions

[Randall Runion]

This is my first try at beginning a thread here, so I hope I'm doing it right. 

I have read several people's comments about adding a piece of live bait to a jig. Such as putting a cricket on a jig. My question is, "Is that better than putting a cricket on a bare hook?"  

Also, is there a pattern database here somewhere where I can see pictures of jigs and read the materials list or a step-by-step of how to tie that particular pattern?  

Are there any "Swaps" going on here where, say, a dozen guys send a set of a dozen flies to a "host" who sends back everyone one each of all the other jigs submitted? That way you send in 12 of the same pattern and get back 12 different patterns. 

Or instead of that, would any of you guys who fly fish be willing to send me 3 or 4 jigs and let me send you 3 or 4 flies that are good bluegill flies?

Thanks

Randall Runion 

 

[dick tabbert]

Randell there are so many good flies out there but we all tend to have our favorites. Personally you just can't beat the black rubber spider it has bought so many fish to there demise over the years. That would be my top water fly. I have a sinking fly I make up that I have had such good luck with it's a slow sinking fly I call the freshwater shrimp and believe it or not my favorite color is white pearl although I make them in different colors 2nd best color is pink. Ask any fisherman what his best fly is and you'll know when he opens up his tackle box. Hope this helps you some. As far as the perfect jig there is none it can't be made. You can make then sparkle which works great most of the year but there are time sparkle turns fish off. You can make them large, medium or small you can only guess what size to use that day but a good formula the colder the water the smaller the bait. You can make then in all colors and color does play a big part so Randell there is no perfect jig it can't be made so we make what tends to works best for us. Hope this hasn't confused you, start out simple and as your skills improve so will your ties.

[Allen Morgan]

Haven't heard of the Predator, Humbug, Los Alamos Ant, or a Jon's Generic.  I've heard of the Red Fox Squirrel Nymph, but haven't tied any.

Don't get me started on Soft Hackles.  The bulk of the subsurface patterns I've fished this year are soft hackles.

Yup, Youtube is a great resource.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

The first three are tres cool, Allen. I hadda hunt up the Los Alamos - no youtube, you'll recall.
A neat idea I've tinkered with is a Soft Hackle Kebari-style Briminator.
Weird, but it oughta look neat.

Oops, sorry Randall... Fly talk hijack!

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Okay. I've tied and tried most of those patterns, or something like them.
I like the Los Alamos, and Predator style folded bodies, too. The fish like a #8-10 Hewitt Skater or Darbee Mayfly. My favorite subsurface fly is a small Briminator.

[carl hendrix]

i have found a huge advantage using tipped flies; or jigs.   only way i know how to put it ;;  try it out!!  you may like tipped jigs and flies better!!    the old saying still goes---  you never know; till you try it!!

[Jim Gronaw]

Randall...tipped jigs are almost habitual to some of us, as I tend to tip jigs 90% of the time with something...small worms, maggots, waxworms or Gulp! worm products. The only time I don't tip jigs is during the height of the bluegill spawn in some waters when the fish are just so aggressive that a plain jig is all you need.

For crappies, I usually do not tip jigs, but I do like the 1 inch Gulp! minnows in emerald shiner and black shiner colors on a plain 1/32nd oz ballhead jig below a bobber. I seldom use live minnows for crappies, although I know it is the Holy Grail in many regions.

My good friend and crappie expert Ken Smith from northern PA swears by Berkley Crappie Nibbles over live bait. I tend to use waxworms and maggots when the water gets below 48 degrees, as worms don't seem to produce as well in the colder months. If the fish are really aggressive then you won't need tipping...every situation is different.

I used simple garden worms on a #8 Aberdeen hook on a drop-shot rig to get 73 gills on Monday inched slowly across the bottom in 6 to 8 ft of water. Water was about 60 degrees.

[John Sheehan]

I have also found that many Crappies in all seasons can be taken with out tipping .My favorite Crappie jig is a hand made Bulky 1/32nd oz .White Bucktail with a red thread collar . For Gills; feather jigs or Zonker (Rabbit Fur)  I use often and Perch I often use Squirrel Tail or Marabou . I usually tip unless they'll take a swimming retrieve  and not just nipping .I tip with Crawlers in warmer weather usually ,like Jim, but use Mealworms all months of the year .Mealworms catch many, however don't hold up well so spikes and waxies when I can find them in the colder months get more use .I'm a simple tier and usually use one material for each Feather ,Bucktail or Squirrel tail jig .If I use two materials its Feather and Fox hair , or Rabbit Fur(zonker) and Flashabou. usually . I tie rubber legs and feathers onto tiny ice ants and pill jigs for ice fishing .

[John Sheehan]

24th and 64th oz. for Gills and 32nd to 16th oz for Perch

[Ronald A Wilson]

i mostly fish small 1/32 oz jigs tipped with gulp alive small minnows or the small leeches or the small fish fry ,all are really good baits .i most generally vertical jig .it is hard to keep those small baits on the gills and other fishes love them

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Structure,depth?
Tell us about those....

I've never done doodly with Gulp!
Always interested.

[Slip Sinker]

i cant wait to try the gulp fry... its on my shopping list... thanks

[carl hendrix]

congrats to you on using gulp products but like many others;; I haven't had any luck with them.   I have tried about every type of gulp product to!!