Two days ago I went into the largest bait shop within 50 miles of me . My intention was to just snag some emergency hooks . But as we all know ya just got to go check out the jigs . Bad idea . I have to say I never saw a sorrier made wall of jigs unless they came from over seas . The paint looked like testors model paint . Threads hanging every where .Chenille laid in like a three year old had wrapped it . Some had clumps of feathers some had nearly no feathers .If they had eyes they were clumsily put on with a magic marker . Fellows I'm not the best jig tier . But I'd be willing to say that anyone on this forum could make a jig blind folded wearing boxing gloves and do better than what I saw . Sorry for the rant but any body that ties kinda represents all of use to some degree . Hate to see work like that . Think I'll find out who he is and invite him to Jigcraft . Dang if he don't need the pointers .
A little Rant
- Thread starter toadfrog
- Start date
Hawnjigs
KISS
Regardless of cheap China mfg prices I've decided to spend more for USA or other mfg when possible. After reading reviews, currently eBay shopping a used Sony (Japan mfg) cam battery which costs more than a new China version.
Hawnjigs
KISS
Re: cheap junky store bought jigs: do they sell because consumers are ignorant of better quality availability?
Maybe, a listing section in our forum for jig makers to offer their wares would be helpful to both our craftsmen(women) and potential customers? To avoid clutter, maybe one pic and brief description of specialties per jig artist could fit most on one or two web pages?
As it is, the forum commerce section tends to bury older posts under newer, and a list view would enable efficient comparative browsing.
Would an onsite store work? Vendors could pay a % sales commission.
Maybe, a listing section in our forum for jig makers to offer their wares would be helpful to both our craftsmen(women) and potential customers? To avoid clutter, maybe one pic and brief description of specialties per jig artist could fit most on one or two web pages?
As it is, the forum commerce section tends to bury older posts under newer, and a list view would enable efficient comparative browsing.
Would an onsite store work? Vendors could pay a % sales commission.
I've been out of business so long I'm not sure what adding a section would get us into . But I can answer one question . The guy was local according to the address . whether he imported the jigs or not I don't know . But here is an error he made . Instead of selling the jigs by the card they were on pull cards and you could see where people had gone threw them picking the best of the bad . Lesson no.1 in jig sales never sell on PULL CARDS . You will have them strung all over the store .
Bucko
New member
I do some pull cards but that is at the owners request, not mine. I hate those damn things. plus people tend to steal from pull cards too.... I use a nice header card and bag 2 jigs per pack. best way for me. and I've noticed very poorly tied jigs too this year, far worse than I remember them being. but people still buy them I guess. why, I don't have a clue?... my jigs may cost twice as much but I guarantee they last 5 times longer and catch more fish! most people that but the crap jigs are weekend warriors or tourists that don't know any better I'm sure.
Think your dead on . I ran a contest once . 12 five packs of jigs to the guy that caught the most fish on the same jig during a sand bass run . Guy caught 90 sand bass on one of my jigs . It looked it too. Chipped , beat up chenille fiber almost gone bout 3 or four buck tail hairs left in it . Least fish caught on one was 7 and he hung his jig and lost it . Proud day for me . I'd be willing to say that if anyone that has spent time on JigCraft could make a darn good guarantee 15 fish per jig . Sure am glad to know each and every one of you .
Jay Wirth
Member
I feel your pain. I am a manufacturer and sell to many bait shops in central / north NY. Shop owners are a fickle bunch. All of my customers praise the quality of my jigs (30+ years second generation business) however some local guy(s) who copy my jigs and sells at half the price is the new favorite. This usually lasts a season when the shop owner realises his jig sales are real low.
On the other hand you have Joe armchair sportsman who scoff at the price charged for a quality hand tied jig and are very happy using crap made in china.
I agree, It rubs my ass but in the end I have guyes that have used my stuff for 30 years and continue to call before opening day every year. This type of customer is the one that reminds me why I tie at the quality level which I do.
On the other hand you have Joe armchair sportsman who scoff at the price charged for a quality hand tied jig and are very happy using crap made in china.
I agree, It rubs my ass but in the end I have guyes that have used my stuff for 30 years and continue to call before opening day every year. This type of customer is the one that reminds me why I tie at the quality level which I do.
Bucko
New member
I have one company that is rather pissed at me right now... I took a long time style jig, there's probably 20 companies that tie this style jig, and made it better. he lives in the best town over and had called me complaining about taking his sales. I told him competition is good and keeps new and fresh ideas coming. he thinks that in taking food from his mouth.... the guy is hardly poor...... I can assure you of that... it's a game of staying two steps ahead of those around you and it's my responsibility to keep improvising and making sure that the product I put on the shelf is second to none.
Pup
Active member
toadfrog said:
This is so true to me. I like to see and admire a range of jigs from convoluted to elementary in design. A bit of originality and some recycling of the past is what keeps me interested in jig tying.
I've changed how I feel about jig tying through time. Today, it's more of a spiritual activity to me, as is fishing.
Have tied and kept enough of my own 'fishing' jigs now to last me a lifetime.
Reading all the comments just reinforces what I always thought .Jig tiers are Brothers from different mothers .Even if we do get into it with each other now and then over competition or what ever . But we still have a tradition. Almost a genetic link around the world to achieve innovation quality and pride in a heritage often passed from father to child . It's like drum beats in the night . You can feel it when it's right .
StumpHunter
Active member
I hate to see bad tied jigs hanging anywhere. I take pride in my tyes and do my best to never let a sub-par jig leave here. I know some don't care and they don't care for the art of tying. If we don't pass along the art and how a jig should be tied who will.
JUNGLEJIM1
Well-known member
Bad jigs are here in every shop in the area tied by the same guy. I have no idea why they are even allowed in the shop. I'm sure people buy them even at the high asking price or they wouldn't be in there. Volume appears to be more important than quality. I mentioned that I could give one shop a better product and offered to show them what I can do and their reply was "No Thanks". Apparently they don't care about the quality either. It makes no sense.
Jay Wirth
Member
Im sure the dealer is getting them for a price around $5 doz so the poor quality is OK - the dealer thinks he is getting a great profit per jig sold. In reality a better quality jigs will sell more since real fishermen see a good jig as an investment (in their time and experience).
Even though my wholesale prices are on the high end ($10 - $15 doz depending on style) I have had many stores tell me that the hard core local fishermen will ask specifically for my jigs and buy a full card(s) of many different colors. This is much better than the poor quality jigs that take up a lot of space and take a full season to sell a few here and there.
Even though my wholesale prices are on the high end ($10 - $15 doz depending on style) I have had many stores tell me that the hard core local fishermen will ask specifically for my jigs and buy a full card(s) of many different colors. This is much better than the poor quality jigs that take up a lot of space and take a full season to sell a few here and there.
When I was still in business that is the way that my main customers operated . They bought the best Mine and another guys . We lived in towns close like 15 min. Worked out a deal that kept us fairly good friends until we both quit . That came shortly after they passed NAFTA and the flood began .