First Attempt at a Bluegill Jig

[Lazy Cody]

Not sure if I'm getting the collar attached very well, but here are a couple I tied up (hopefully) to catch some bluegill and green sunfish.

Right now I'm mostly trying to get the process of attaching the collar down, so any thoughts, suggestions, or good videos on this would be greatly appreciated. I'm also wondering what type of material y'all use for these collars? I just used the same saltwater neck hackle I use for tails, not sure if that's "right" but that's pretty much all I have and it seemed to work ok.

These are #10 sickle hooks, 1/80th oz.

[DockShootinJack]

Good looking jig.

[trypman1]

Those look great! They will catch all you want.

[skiptomylu]

Yes look at lessons on FAOL until you find one that ties in a collar!

Click on Fly Tying, then Beginning tying, then intermediate and finally advanced. I think some of the best tying lessons one can find! Just find a fly they are doing a lesson on that has a collar and see how they do it!
Fly Anglers OnLine, Your Complete Internet Flyfishing Resource.

Skip

[Fatman]

Nice ties but I don't like straight cut tails!! Fly tyers call them hair stackers, I have a double ended one put the end tips in the stacker hit it on the table pull the insert and nice tails that I feel have more action than a straight cut off. I'm with Skip on the tying lessons at FAOL - I learned a lot there even though I had tied a lot of hair jigs.

[skiptomylu]

Have to agree with Fatman on the tail, it should look more natural!

Skip

[Lazy Cody]

Nice ties but I don't like straight cut tails!! Fly tyers call them hair stackers, I have a double ended one put the end tips in the stacker hit it on the table pull the insert and nice tails that I feel have more action than a straight cut off. I'm with Skip on the tying lessons at FAOL - I learned a lot there even though I had tied a lot of hair jigs.

Have to agree with Fatman on the tail, it should look more natural!

Skip

I prefer more natural looking non-cut tails as well. The inspiration hit me to try out the collars at a late hour. I was mainly trying to sort out getting the collars attached so I just grabbed some v's I had pre-cut and they were all pretty long. I went ahead and used em then decided they were too long and figured it would be better to cut 'em than to leave them so long

[Jamesdean]

Good looking ties. Those will catch fish, but I also cut the blunt end of the hair/ feather to shorten it up...

[DockShootinJack]

Ironically the only preferences that matter are those of the fish that the jig is in front of. I am the worlds worst about trying to give the fish what i want. Be it bait type, color ,size, shape or location and presentation.

[skeetbum]

Good ties, they’ll get some fish. I usually make tails too long also.try a new razor blade when you trim what isn’t usually trimmed and try to keep the profile without the blunt end. Worked for me on some squirrel tail jigs I tied. Those will fall super slow with the collar and light head. I have an untried idea of tying a collar like the first pic and trim the top and bottom off and leave the sides to hopefully resemble legs. I have no idea if the fish would like it, just an Idea.