Why do you tie jigs?

[smalljaw]

What is it that makes us tie jigs when you can go buy them? For me it has to do with how I found this website because I've been making my own spinnerbaits and jigs for over 15 years. I got into this jig tying just recently even though I've been making hair jigs for a little more than 10 years and it wasn't until a friends father metioned catching bass on a crappie jig but there were no bass jigs that even remotely looked like a crappie jig and so here I am. Now I already had rabbit zonkers, and bucktails, so I needed to to think about the other things I needed so I went on to youtube and it was there that I learned a lot on what kind of materisal everyone was using. I got some chenille, some strung hackle and soft grizzly hacke, some craft hair and dubbing, that was what I have tried so far. What I learned was these jigs made with hackle collars and chenille really do catch bass and not just panfish, and the best part is I'm having a blast doing this, and this site has provided me with a ton of ideas that will keep me tying for years to come, so I guess you can say I tie jigs to not only catch fish but to relax and have fun plus finding this site was awesome as I've found that I'm not the only one who likes to fish with and make all kinds of jigs.

 

[Radtexan]

We've done a few of these in the past....Ill see if I can find some of the others....

http://www.jigcraft.com/jigcraft/showthread.php?tid=1275

 

[Jig Man]

These are just a few reasons......

1. Build a better jig than you can buy.
2. With the internet and forums there a lot more materials
you can purchase or trade for than you can buy off the
shelf.
3. It is relaxing.
4. It is satisfying to catch a fish off something you put
together.
5. And I really enjoy tie-ins though we don't do those much
anymore

 

[SaltyBuckster]

I tie jigs because I am addicted to it,lol.After catching my first fish with something that I made a mess of,I was hooked.When I look back and see how much I have evolved as a jig tier it amazes me.This site has a lot to do with it.

 

[AtticaFish]

You hit a key point - it is a mind clearing experience to imagine a fish seeing your creation in the water and deciding that it DOES look like something edible even though it is made from lead, feathers and fur. Half the time, when i make one jig/fly, it gets me thinking of something slightly different that would work..... that leads to another creation...... and another...... so on and so on. There is just not enough hours in the day to test all my theories! haha

It is an outstanding feeling also when you are fishing - and catching - using your own homade equipment. Gives you that independent feeling and also makes your fishing buddies envious when they don't have THAT JIG in their box. Of course they will ask you for one though and you will gladly hand your last one over insisting that you can make more.

 

[redear]

for me it's all about creativity, and the satisfaction of doing it myself.

 

[toadfrog]

For me tackle making is an expression of art . It takes special people to do what we do and a dedication to our past and a hope that we can teach our youth and direct them . One thing is for sure , If a kid is into fishing and tackle making . He'll never have the money to get into trouble with LOL.

 

[Fatman]

Started because my Uncle didn't want to pay lot's of money for bucktail jigs, so he had a freind show me how and I've been doing it since.

 

[hookup]

I build rods & baits because nothing like catching a fish on something you built.

What got me into jig tying is I use to buy silicon bass jigs from Butch Neil and rabbit hair from Phil Shaeffer.

Butch's store caught on fire and after that, I couldn't get his jigs. They worked very well on VA/MD/WV/PA rivers for small mouth bass.

So I took a few that I had left & copied them.

Same with Phil Shaeffer's rabbit hair jigs. Phil retired, and I was lucky enough to spend some time on the phone as he tutored me in crafting his art. Afterwards, he mentioned he had some hair for sale, and I bought it all. Still tying on those rabbit & zonker strips.

 

[gabreamfanatic]

what got me into tying was few of you tube vids, and also watching my uncle fly fish. i all ways want do learn how to fly fish and tie those certain flie's that they used for fishing. and like y'all said its relaxing and it keeps me out of trouble. i use to build plastic models but with my hands the way they are getting, i couldn't grab those small parts. and i love to fish with something that i tied and hopefully will catch something with it. and the way the prices have gotten for jigs. i can save me some money and get other fishing stuff that need or want.

 

[StumpHunter]

I thought it would be interesting to try. Thought I could order 50 to 60 dollars worth of materials and tie some jigs just for something to keep me busy plus I was interested in seeing had the fish would react while fishing. Well my first order turned into a 250 dollar order and for the first month I had orders coming in every other day, now only a few each month.. The more I tied the more materials I wanted to try. Being a person that enjoys a fly rod it was only fitting to order just a few fly hooks to tie just a few flies to fish with, I think I now have on hand close to 500 flies and maybe 2500 fly hooks. I enjoy tying jigs but I can get lost in time when tying flies. So many different thinks you can tie while at the bench and it is really up to you as to what a jig or fly will look like.
I enjoy seeing other tyers work because each tyer puts their-self into their tying. So many ideas of how to use the materials and in the end they all will catch fish.

When I am on a quite river with my favorite fly tied on my favorite fly rod I know that the peace I feel in my soul is pure.
I now have a reason to tie.

 

[Pup]

• Learned to tie flies at an early age and seldom cast a fly rod.
• Like to create and express myself artistically.
• To catch an occasional fish.
• To provide enjoyable gifts for friends and family who fish.
• Influenced by Dan Gapen's jig creations.
• I am a lousy fisherman who does not paint.

 

[oldfox]

I guess the key word would be satisfaction. Designing a jig that you think will catch fish, and it does!
I started tying flies in my early teens (back in the 1950's), and did it off and on throughout the years. Now the old eyes use a mag light, and I have switched to jigs, as those 18 + hooks are too challenging for my vision, and casting a fly is more than my shoulder wants to handle

 

[Hawnjigs]

Evolution. Started with a light handpole as a kid catching dinks on cut bait. Finally at age 12 got my first (light)rod & reel for chucking bait and experimenting with lures including jigs. Long story short, growing up meant progressively heavier gear & bigger targets. Now, back to light gear & small jigs. Guess eventually I'll be handpoling for dinks again.

As for tie-it-myself, works better than made by others.

 

[BucktailJiger]

Cause CrappieHappy wouldn't sell me a few of his jigs . Invited me to this forum , said take the money he would charge me for his jigs and give tying a try . Since then I haven't looked back . It's my escape from this crazy world we live in . Thanks Heath .

 

[spotail]

B/C:
a. The cost of quality-tied jigs is too expensive for me.
b. There is great enjoyment in catching fish on jigs/flies you create yourself.
c. Occassionally, my ties catch more fish than commerically available jigs.
d. The overall satisfaction of the craft! Creating unique patterns is what sets you apart from the "average" fishermen.

 

[ragged edge]

The thrill of catching fish on something I created, better quality jigs (imo), enjoyment of showing others how to tie jigs, the expense of making jigs and something that can not be purchased at Walmart.

 

[Mike Andrews]

It's the only creative thing I do.

I get a BIG kick from catching fish on stuff I've made.

I control the final product, hook, paint, and so on.

 

[jiggerjohn]

The original Fishing Facts mag got me interested in jigs. Later, was hooked on tying when my crude bucktails took good numbers of St Lawrence River northern pike. Started tying 1/32 oz rabbit fur jigs for light tackle crappie & bass, and eventually got into Bob Clouser type ties with flash. But the "why" of it involves picturing fish taking a particular pattern WHILE I'M TYING IT ;this way I'm "fishing" (even if just in my mind!) all the time, even in the dead of winter. It also provides an avenue to guess what a fish wants in natural type patterns -with a little "ugliness" thrown in, that I try to imagine keeps it real ! For instance, just today I tried to mimic a unique,but drab, "mayfly" pattern from squirrel tail that the great tier,Phil Shaffer, showed me -even by my low standards this tricky tie was awful looking ,but bass & bluegill nailed the unique little wobbling jig right away, and several casts in a huge carp slurped it in(just as I envisioned while tying!!) - the only reason I endured that 2+ hour fight on 5# test mono was to get my mayfly jig back!!!

 

[Squeakyboatcaptain]

#1 .... Why not
#2 Was tired of paying good money for jigs that would fall apart after a few fish
#3 It is relaxing... Helps me to unwind
#4 It is extremely satisfying to catch fish on something you created