Pay No Attention……

[Micanopy]

Tried a new technique for securing eyes. I stick it on, then look to ensure it is properly aligned so it swims right. The frog eyes are tricky to get aligned this way if also trying to get them fixed in a direction, as pupil is not round. Some I got some I did not, but most were symmetrical when I finished. Then set in vice. Then dab UV resin on topside, and a little on each eye. Then flashlight. Then once they are pretty much secured, I applied a coat over the eye and up and onto the jig. Then set in Sun. Then second application. Then more Sun.

Anything but glue !!!



This is what I mean about allignment.



Symmetrical. Wouldn’t mean much for jigging, but trolling I think so. The head is shaped with a wedge, so probably best each side matches the other. Might even wobble as it goes and wouldn’t want a bad wobble.

[Micanopy]

Just as an FYI for your thoughts.

I have been long lining since about 1979 and have done it a lot of ways and lots of different distances before the turn around. Unlike some I fish one rod in hand and stop when I get one on.There have been places I would go several hundred yards before turning around to pull back to my starting spot. However one of the best spots I ever had there was only maybe 25 yards back and forth over the same water and this particular spot was long time back and very special, but with myself and one other person we would average 60 to 70 crappie per hour and yes I miss that spot all the time. It just needs Hydrilla and I have not been able to catch it with the Hydrilla for a very long time. I would guess most of the time I will pull maybe 100 to 200 yards back and forth as long as the action is pretty steady.

Skip

That is very interesting, that stopping to pole in hand a few. If I stopped though the boat would spin round and I would have me a mess. Maybe there is another way to do this. So what style of jigging do you suppose would be best for me to try ? Cast and retrieve or dip and drift, or drift and jig up and down.

FYI- This is a great site and it has been very good to me.

[Micanopy]

This is just a tad longer than the other. The fish will tell me which they like.

[Micanopy]

[DockShootinJack]

That is a good looking hand tie. I used tontie some. Taking up shooting docks I went to plastics almost exclusively. A hand tie certainly does hold scent better

[DockShootinJack]

You put a look of effort into your presentation. It has made me take notice of mine. I usually thread the plastics on with cold fingers. The bodies are rarely straight when I get them on. They live a very hard life under the docks where I shoot them. The attention you pay to the details rewards you with fish every trip. You have honed it down to a razors edge

[drdore]

That's the method I use to secure eyes, I've never had one come off. Those are some great looking jigs.

[Micanopy]

Thanks





This is what they look like when swimming. Minnows that can be seen easily, tracked and taken.

I finished rigging the rods. Gonna use nothing but these here hand ties, like these here, my next time out. See how I do. DrNip said that bucktails do well, and I shall see. The best plastic baits were green and yellow and simple and sleek, just like these. I will still have all those aboard, but starting lineup will be these. Some have the 90 degree eye and some the 60 degree, but all will be 1/16th oz.

So my “right next to the boat” setups now have in line trolling sinkers, with about 2 feet of leader, to one of these jigs. Four rods. I am questioning my reliance on the bigger jig heads to get the depth and keep the jig in tight to the boat. Might be better this way. Might have a better action as they swim. I shall report results after a good sea trial.

Weather today down here is awesome. Beautiful sunny day, light winds, 60-70 degrees. Even the skeeters are staying away. Tomorrow too and I hope to be able to go. Suspect fishing will be on the difficult side for some unknown reason, but a couple of sandwiches and various snacks, some music, and some cooperation and it might become a glorious day. I am excited about these new ties. Seem so simple in design, yet my path to them was complicated. Just didn’t imagine bucktails being all that. You know ?

These lack the artist’s eye or hand, but I should at least allow the bucktail design a chance to earn a spot in my lineup. The key is to use less tail material not more-I was told. Allow it to get wet and it will get tight and that creates the perfect minnow profile. Sleek swimmer very graceful. I think this will be a good test for me- can I keep up with the plastics ?


This seasonal change might play a role here. Of course, I am not expecting to out perform my plastics, but even would be fabulous. Staying small is OK.

[DockShootinJack]

Gray Ghost and a simple white bucktail with a red collar have caught lots of fish for me

[skiptomylu]

That is very interesting, that stopping to pole in hand a few. If I stopped though the boat would spin round and I would have me a mess. Maybe there is another way to do this. So what style of jigging do you suppose would be best for me to try ? Cast and retrieve or dip and drift, or drift and jig up and down.

FYI- This is a great site and it has been very good to me.

Well I look at drifting about the same as long lining except with the Troll Motor you have control long lining and with just 2 in the boat and each with just one pole, not much tangling and can go back to get snags loose. I control it all by depth of water and speed of boat which I use something close to .4 MPH. I use 1/32 most and never heavier because I want them to see that jig above them, they will come get it.

If you want to fish a spot then tie up or anchor so you can cast to it, or use the troll motor to hold your place. I don't expect a long lag between bites if they are getting after it. I don't have to worry about spooking them since I keep moving even if it's not that far before I turn around. You will find fishing one spot they will spook after you catch a few and I can fish that spot along with maybe a little more and keep going back and forth over it for a long time and never spook them.

All this is just what I have worked it down to what I like to do most. I do also enjoy tight lining over brush, but not as much as long lining!

Skip