Tying buck tails

[skeetbum]

I tie bucktail a bit different than some, and I’ll try to tell you how. Small thread base, usually red, and select a small amount of hair from a stacker used to organize the tips evenly. Put this on the shank and put a couple of semi tight wraps on and move the hair around the shank til it sits like you want. Do overs on this part are common. I try to do this part pretty close to the head as possible. Once I like the distribution of the hair, I pull the first wraps a little tighter to bind it better and add a couple more. If you still like it, throw a couple of half hitches and add a spot of Sally’s or cement. Then I work my way down the hair a little, not too far, and this will help control the flair and pull it back toward the shank. So this to taste and whip finish with at least 4 turns. If it comes out right, your collar should be between 1/8 or 3/16” wide.

I sometimes get some hair that goes too far forward and lays on the side of the head. I trim this with a single edge razor before I get too far along in case I slip and cut the thread, generating a do over. You’ll only do that a few times before you learn how to trim and not get out of hand.

Hope this helps and keep after it, your work is already looking better. Several of us will give you hints, you pick what works for you and your style comes from that. We need fish pictures too.

[tlefire]

What Skeetbum said.

To me, those roadrunners are some of the hardest jig heads to tie.

[catchNgrease]

I have never thought about hitching half way through. Most of these are setting up for blue gill & shell crackers. But pictures will happen. Thanks for everyone's help.

Sent from my E6810 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[skeetbum]

For the smaller stuff I find the calves(Kip) tail works easier. Bucktail can be kinda stiff and the kip is very easy to work on 1/32 #6’s I tie. Just input.

[skiptomylu]

Or if I want hair I probably would choose either Squirrel or Arctic Fox for that kind of head and hook size, but usually I fish Marabou with that head. Kip while is super good, it can also be very short so you have to choose tails with long hair, but the Fox and Squirrel are each longer. For my money the Kip and Squirrel should be interchangeable for a jig I would think.

Also if you can find some Southern Buck tails they will have a more friendly hair to tie and smaller diameter hair. For me I like it a lot more than the Northern Buck tails!

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