want to tie minnows but never have on a jig

[GrumpyLoomis]

Hey folks, I tie 75% buck tail here in walleye country. Don't really use it for crappie or pan fish. I will say it takes a fair amount of tension to hold walleye jigs together. All I use is kevlar thread for my walleye jigs. You can actually pull it so tight the he hair stands out side ways. Way to tight. LOL

[smoothlures]

Okay thanks Smooth! I have never tried any of that really heavy thread, well over 210. Have you tried any of the GSP for your Bucktails? Do you really think that much tension is needed for the Bucktails? I ask because am sure you have tied more bucktails than I have as my experience is limited. Have tied some 1/32 Oz Bucktails for crappie fishing, but don't remember a lot of others I have tied.
So when saying you use size D, what does that mean and how is it compared to size A?

Skip

I don't really think you need to use it until you start tying 1/2 or 3/4 oz bucktails. I've never tried GSP. I tried Kevlar thread and it's fine but the color bleeds and is expensive. I use thin superglue that essentially coats all of my thread in hard plastic to stop from getting cut by saltwater fish. It only takes one knick in the wrap. Epoxy works too but doesn't penetrate as well and yellows over time. UV cure is probably a good option.

As for tension, when you start tying big jigs the way I do - absolutely. The first 3-4 wraps really hold it in. They must be very tight. If you tie by adding small bundles over one after another you could probably get away with less tension, but I do two clumps, one on top and one on bottom. Mainly for speed and efficiency. If a few hairs start to come out then that leaves a gap for all of it to come out.

Size A Danville is a little thicker than 210 flat waxed nylon. They both look the same - flossy and strandy. Size D is still nylon (they probably make other kinds) and is a strand 3 braid which makes it rougher and grabs the slick hair better.

[smoothlures]

Here's what I tie. 1 oz with size D thread. A little beat up from a few trips in the ocean.



Here's flat waxed nylon left on the Rite bobbin and the size A thread. It looks very similar.



And here are a couple of size D threads. You can see that they're braided.



Hope that helps. Sorry for the hijack!