What is the best type of hackle to use? saddle? strung? i don't know a ton about it and i want to purchase some but just cant make my mind up. I am hoping yawl may have already sued this stuff and know the pros and cons to each kind so i can make a better choice
For basic needs, strung is better in my experience. Lots of it to use and work with and you get a good supply for a low price.
Saddles are nice when it comes to getting different lengths and sizes of hackle though. I have a lot of both and use both of them all the time but I tie a LOT of different styles and have a lot of reasons to have a wide selection.
I wold say that for crappie jigs, strung is gonna be the best way to go. 3-4 colors for the price of one saddle is gonna give you a lot to work with.
I love taking my kids fishing, now if I could just manage to fish at the same time.
great input thats what i am looking for. i have purchased a strung which was orange and black but i think i will look for some new colors.
SLJ
Depends on what pattern or how you want to use the hackle. You have dry and wet hackle, hackle from a saddle or neck, and all hackle isn’t from chickens/roosters only…
Dry fly hackle on a jig will slow the jigs descent. I like Hoffman (Metz too) saddles for wooly buggers (palmer – spiraling up the body) and like to use Hoffman/Metz hen hackle or guinea fowl for collars. If you are looking for hackle tails or a webby looking hackle, use the strung stuff.
For jig tails I use Strung neck hackle and if I need some palmered hackle I prefer Strung Saddle hackle. Saddle hackle is more for flies since they use a lot of palmered hackle.
Then there is one I am tying for my self and bream fishing that will use some soft hackle from a partridge skin.
Skip
This is an example of a collared jig:
Attachment 23030
This is an example of palmmered jigs:
Attachment 23031
Last edited by LedHed; 03-09-2010 at 06:16 AM.
Another use of hen hackle - for tailing and this jig has the dry hackle collar - casts great and sinks slow;
Attachment 23032
Last edited by LedHed; 03-09-2010 at 06:16 AM.
Nice looking jigs!!!!!! Tying flies for fly fishing I get into the necks and saddles, if you stick with the strung for your crappie jigs you'll stay somewhat even LOL But I've got plenty to play with when I'm trying something.
Fatman