Pictures

[grubfarmer67]

Not bad, better than my first ones. Go to the sticky at the top of the page and check out those ties.Look at the past jig swap pictures.Plenty of really nice ties in there.Pick out a couple and tie them up.It's what the pics are there for,to help others new to tying.Personally, I like shorter tails and bigger bodies because the tail is the smallest part of a baitfish. Tie a variety of tail sizes and let the fish decide what they want. Most important thing is you're having fun.

JUNGLE JIMMY SAY'D IT ALL RIGHT HERE...
YOUR PKG. IS ON THE WAY BY THE WAY MY BEST BUDDY"
ONLY STILL WAITING ON THE BLEEDING CHENILLE IT SHOULD BE HERE BY TOMORROW...
"OH YUP"!

[PawPaw Gene]

rtark, when using the scissors don't trim it after it's tied. Leave the tail natural, just move the material forward on the hook and trim off of the front of the material. Not bad at all, congrats.

"gene"

[DavidP]

Very nice jigs. My suggestion would be to start the chenille wrap at the hook point and work back to the eye. This leaves the hook gap open mo betta.

Also, I would shorten the tails a little. The ends do not need to be the same length when you shorten the jig tail. Best way to do this is make a straight cut at the desired length to discard excess material. Then starting back closer to the chenille wrap make a 30 degree cut towards the end of the tail from the bottom of the jig. Then make the same cut from the top of the jig. This will leave you with a tapered tail that looks more natural.

As you tie more you will get a better feel for the length you need to cut the material. But, we all make some boo boos when tying. Some make us mutter a little and some become our best jig ideers!

This tying stuff gets addicting for sure!

[CrappieKillerJigs]

i disagress with DavidP 100%....on marabou do not cut the tips off you will lose about 50% of your movement....cut from the butt end...

[skiptomylu]

Agree I would never cut the ends off the marabou and you can't get it any more natural than leaving it as is IMHO. Take the marabou off the stem and lay it down until you have enough for the tail and then just pinch it at the point you want to cut the length off at the butt end and tie it in after the cut and then leave it alone.

Also don't be scared to leave them tail a bit longer than you may think is alright. First I know this is against the traditional wisdom preached here and most places, but I don't follow the short strike theory with crappie. My customers find they like them just fine a bit longer than most.

Skip

[rtark]

Agree I would never cut the ends off the marabou and you can't get it any more natural than leaving it as is IMHO. Take the marabou off the stem and lay it down until you have enough for the tail and then just pinch it at the point you want to cut the length off at the butt end and tie it in after the cut and then leave it alone.

Also don't be scared to leave them tail a bit longer than you may think is alright. First I know this is against the traditional wisdom preached here and most places, but I don't follow the short strike theory with crappie. My customers find they like them just fine a bit longer than most.

Skip

Thanks skip, I have to agree. I am an avid bass fisherman(plus catfishman) and short striking under certain conditions can happen, but a trailer hook will solve that problem. But crappie, if i have ever had that happen, I didn't know it.
I do value everyones help, it saves me alot of grief and time...Ray

[skeetbum]

You're off to a good start. They look good to me.

[Crappiekiller3]

Great start RT! I'd pull that first one out of the trash, trim a little of the red
off the tail and go fish! Your colors are good and proportions are good.
The tail length is an ongoing debate as far as length. I've gone both ways, too short and too long. Let the fish decide! I'll stick my neck out here and say the lousiest tied jig in the world will catch fish if everything else is right.
The best experience is to just keep tying, try new materials, methods, get into jig swaps to see what the "big dogs are doing, ask your wife or friends or
fishin buddies for color ideas, above all don't get discouraged if your jigs don't look the same as someones that's been tying for 20 years. You'll be amazed at how much better they all look a year from now or even a few months!
After all fish have to eat the same as we do. I much prefer lobster or prime rib, but if I'm hungry enough a can of beans or a hot dog will work:D