[Party Crasher]

I know that this is the fly tying forum, but the last thread on "Hair Jigs" was very interesting so I thought maybe we could expand. Would anyone care to share their favorite tied jig that imitates a baitfish. And, does anyone have a favorite tied panfish jig. Thanks.

[VARick]

Check the gallery for a pic I posted of crappie jigs I received in a swap. I can take individual pics of them if desired. These came from across the country and the swap was "crappie jig that produces for you". Colors and styles will change from one area to another due to conditions such as clarity of water, searsonal temps etc. I've learned, if you are not sure, give it a shot anyway. I have a baitfish pattern that I tie in both jig and fly that produces pretty good here for inshore species on the west coast of FL. Right now I need to downsize it for the winter months, but essentially it is a match the hatch pattern. I netted a baitfish, took some pics of it out of water and then just barely submerged and then played with the tying until I found what looked close, especially just submerged. I don't have the bulk of the baitfish but the color and basic shape is pretty close. Best part is that it produces fish.
Rick

[Mac10]

If you shop a fly tying store, try getting a hold on some 1/32 or 1/64 ounce lead ball jigheads and tie on some wooly bugger type flies on the jigs. You can paint the heads with nail polish as they won't receive any heavy use....start with a coat of acrylic paint in white and paint over with the polish. Start tying at the back bend of the hook and tie on a little marabou for a tail, then use a small hackle feather and a piece of chenile and wrap forward simultaneously with the chenille in front followed immediately by the feather. Tie off when you reach the head and clip. This is a traditional wooly bugger pattern. If my directions are not clear, look on the internet on a fly tying site such as Globalflytier.com. Tie a few dark, a few medium colored and a few light to have on hand. Olive, brown, beige for example.

Basically, bream like fuzzy things for one, or on the other hand, VARick ties a winner by emulating the forage.

[Mac10]

If you can find the thick chenille, the really fuzzy fat stuff, you can omit the hackle feather and just use the chenille for the body.

[Mac10]

If the heads on the jigs are still new and shiny, try this. Use a Sharpie Marker to color the head....it gives you a really neat metallic finish which can be renewed when worn. Using the greens and blues can give you a beetle type iridescence. Sharpies are available in a multitude of colors.

[VARick]

Excellent idea on the use of sharpies, I've used them on feathers to make stripes or dots but never on a jig head. You can also brighten up a jig head with one of those kitchen sponges that has one side with an abrasive pad on it (helps me to get finger nail polish to stick).
Rick

Originally Posted by Mac10

If the heads on the jigs are still new and shiny, try this. Use a Sharpie Marker to color the head....it gives you a really neat metallic finish which can be renewed when worn. Using the greens and blues can give you a beetle type iridescence. Sharpies are available in a multitude of colors.

[M.Bassitt]

Panfish Jig
Powder paint the head, rabbit hair tail, cut off of a zonker strip, then wrap your chenile body. Use these in 1/80 and 1/64 oz. for crappie and bluegill. Try an all black in 1/80 oz. for gills, tiped with a spike.