stevie

Low and behold! Soon as I get cranky and impatient my stuff arrives. I got the skirts today. I ordered the magnum musky skirts and the 7 inch starflash skirts. Both are going to make some very pretty tuna baits. The typical tuna trolling baits used on the west coast are 4-7 inches long. The seven inch skirts sort of fit in between that range with the heads I am making so I now have something that will work. I am going to try some of the 5 inch skirts also. They may work for the shorter baits. The musky skirts are 62 strand and that is about the right bulk. For the 5 inch I may have to use two skirts. The magnum skirts are also a bit wider cut that the starflash skirts. I would like something even thicker if its available. So the perfect skirt for my application would be a starflash with about 60 strand, about 2 or 3 times the strand thickness and in 6 inch lengths and 9 inch lengths. I don't expect any manufacturers to retool and jump into production though as this is a much smaller market for offshore trolling stuff for do-it yourselfers. I will keep experimenting and trying new stuff for now. I am not in this as a business. For now it is a hobby with the idea of a small retirement business a few years into the future. I will post some pics when I get some put together.

I emailed them but if they don't show in a day or so I will order from Barlows. It wasn't a matter of cost, more of available selection and pictures. It is difficult at best to decide from some of the pics and descriptions available. The lures I am making are similar to a zukers or a tuna clone. A lead head 1-2.5 oz painted and glitter with eyes and then skirting material. 4-6 inch Squid skirts work but I want a little more bulk. So my plan is to mix squid skirts and regular skirting material. With a squid skirt you can't get that undulating action that you get with a spinnerbait style skirt when reversed. From what I have seen there is very little available for offshore lures in this style. Most manufacturers are making lures with very heavy material in an attempt to make them last more than a few fish. If you have something that might work send me a link or some pics if possible. I am looking for greens, blues, purples, pinks,yellows reds, etc. Bright flashy colors.

Okay, I get the message that they are slow. My order is 3 weeks old and not in sight. Anyone have a "professional" source for heavy duty skirts? I am making saltwater jigs, specifically for tuna. I wanted to try the musky skirts but have just about given up on stamina. I need a skirt material that is much heavier than a typical spinnerbait skirt. Even the salmon squid bodies get trashed rather quickly. The off the shelf lures usually use some sort of vinyl. Thanks.

I moved the original thread to wire baits.