Two questions...

[The Kraken]

1. I bought some 3-D eyes from Crazy Angler thinking it'd be a sweet addition to some new ties. Got em home and now I sit wondering how to adhere them to my jigs. I've tried a couple ideas, but don't think I quite get it.

2. Hackle. Love the look of the stuff. I started tying with it just recently and have a few queries. How do I control the direction (hor/vert) of the hackle for the finished product. It always seems to rotate on me no matter how careful I am. Anyone have any tips for proper preparation of the hackle before adding it to a solid 210 denier base. I understand there are diffent ways to use the hackle, ends, center snips, layered etc... Youtube wasnt much help.

Thanks in advance

[skeetbum]

Can't help on the eyes. The hackle has a tendency to travel towards the direction of winding. I wind towards myself, so I try to add the hackle on the far side of the shank. As I wind it comes towards me, sometimes I have to unwind and reposition. Sometimes I give up and put two feathers vertical back to back. Sometimes I have to stand up and walk away. This is one of the tricks that will make you better at what you do and practice without distraction is the best teacher I can refer you to. Or Skip, but I don't think he does one on one lessons. I sometimes switch up and tie a jig or two with center cut V's only just to distract my mind and then go back to the task at hand, and those jigs work very well by the way. The fact that you're looking for the answer means you're already part way there. Keep tying, it'll come.

[PA_Slabs]

sometimes I have to unwind and reposition. Sometimes I give up and put two feathers vertical back to back. Sometimes I have to stand up and walk away.

No truth more spoken. I usually give it 2 attempts and grab a new feather.

To add tho, you can compensate as skeet mentioned where you take winding direction into consideration. Also, I pinch/hold the feather at the bend of the hook to keep it in place. This doesnt always work.

Also for the eyes you can use super glue. Or if you have vinyl clear coat you can use that. It doesn't set as quick as super glue tho.

[Tracker123]

After applying the colors I want, I stick the eyes on. Then I apply the epoxy clear topcoat over everything. That's what I do on my painted crankbaits.

[skiptomylu]

1. I bought some 3-D eyes from Crazy Angler thinking it'd be a sweet addition to some new ties. Got em home and now I sit wondering how to adhere them to my jigs. I've tried a couple ideas, but don't think I quite get it.

2. Hackle. Love the look of the stuff. I started tying with it just recently and have a few queries. How do I control the direction (hor/vert) of the hackle for the finished product. It always seems to rotate on me no matter how careful I am. Anyone have any tips for proper preparation of the hackle before adding it to a solid 210 denier base. I understand there are diffent ways to use the hackle, ends, center snips, layered etc... Youtube wasnt much help.

Thanks in advance

Eyes, I am not really fond of them, but I have used them some, but don't sell jigs that have glue on eyes because they are too much trouble for me. If I put them on I do use a head that has the indented spot for them like RonDon sells and then I use some brush on super glue to glue them on, but also always put a clear coat over the entire head after that. Usually that is Clear Vinyl, but if you want o make a drying wheel epoxy will make a good over coat.

Hackle you are a bit too far some me to come by for some help, but I did make an slide show posted in the sticky, but practice over and over will help and you will eventually get the hang of it. I bought my self using fly tying lessons on line to aid me as You Tube was not in fashion back then as far as I know. ALso will make a difference in what hackle your using which I hope is Neck hackle and not Saddle hackle. You will learn to anticipate the rolling of the stem and adjust it.

[shipahoy41]

I only use stick on eyes with my soft plastic lures and then I redip the lure in clear plastic. Others gave you good advice on the hackle.

[bdorman]

I use a little drop of superglue to hold the eye in place. It's easy to do on my jigs because they have a eye "indentation". I think it's called an aspirin pill style head.



The adhesive that comes on the eyes seems plenty sticky...but I figure a little superglue can't hurt.

[The Kraken]

The pill style heads are sweet. I may have never heard of adding clear coat. What sort of clear is it that is recommended. Application? I'm sure its been asked a thousand times but where is the best place to buy lead jigs in all sizes and shapes? Thanks for the help.

[bdorman]

I don't have a lot of buying experience but I've been very happy with LABaits Jigheads « LaBaits.com

He has good photos of each jig head on the website so you've got a good idea of what you're ordering. Plus a good description of the jig and what size hooks you can order.

This is the one with the eye indents (from LABaits website):


and the description:"These are 1/8 roud heads with eye sockets to accept either 4 or 4.5 mm 3D eyes. Can be poured with #4 or #2 hooks."

Lots of other sites assumed I knew a lot more than I do, like what size 3D eyes to order for that jig head.