General tying techniques

[Squeakyboatcaptain]

I kind of brought this up in another thread, and am interested in how you guys generally tie your jigs?? I'll let you guys know what my steps are, and see if you guys do it about the same, or do it differently. I am pretty much self-taught, and have never watched someone else tie a jig, except a few youtube videos.
First... I wrap my thread on the jig over its self until secured..no knots.. then I trim off excess and dab a small dab of thin CA (super glue) which I have from model building. Then I tie on my tail materials securely, and wrap completely with thread. Then I dab another bit of the thin CA before tying on the chenille to make sure the tail materials stay secure. Then I wrap my chenille on, pulling it on tightly. Make a few wraps of thread to secure the chenille behind the head, clip off the chenille, make one half hitch, then whip finish, clip off thread and apply a dab of head cement.
I would guess that most folks don't use the thin CA to make sure everything is secured, but it works well for me. I was having trouble when I first started, getting my chenille to stay tight, and this seemed to solve the problem, and my chenille didn't slip on me any more....
So.... Id be interested in hearing what some of your techniques are???

 

[ScottV]

I do it about the same except the only glue or cement I use is a drop of Flex-Seal behind the head after I whip finish. I wrap my thread pretty tight and I've never had any problems with the tail or chenille slipping.

 

[Fatman]

I pretty much tie the same way but no glue or cement. A 5 turn whip finish and that's it. When I first started out I used glue but once you get comfortable with your materials you'll know how to set them so you won't need any at all.

 

[Radtexan]

same as above,,,a little glue cant hurt,but after a while I can get it as tight and secure as when I tried the glue.

 

[Cane Pole]

About the same but no glue, only a little clear nail polish at the end to cover the jig head and whip finish.

 

[Jig Man]

I just use head cement when the jig is complete. I use 210 thread so I can pull it fairly tight. One thing I do to help with the chenille is when I start it, I lay it down the full length of the hook across the top, or underside of the jig. Then I wrap that down with a half hitch behind the head, before I spin the chenille on. 4 whips and then glue.

 

[crappiecripplerjigs]

I do it about the same too. After all tail materials are tied in, I will coat the thread area with dollar store clear nail polish. Then I tie in the chenille, wrap to head and finish. Not sure if the NP is really needed or actually serves a purpose. I doubt it is as tough as the Hard as Nails I use for the heads but I feel it helps to hold everything together.

 

[blt]

I'm only learning the small jigs you guys do here, but so far....I do the same as the saltwater jigs I make but for one step. Saltwater, thread base, then a dab of S.H. hard as nails, but not for these jigs. I have one of those needle applicator bottles with a Minwax polyurethane in it with a couple of drops of water added. (Can is a blue green color, not in the garage to see which type it is)
After I tie, 3 whips on it, then put a small drop of the urethane at the whip knots, and "strategic" areas across the jig.

For the saltwater jigs, after I get done, I use a small paint brush and paint the threads, use the applicator and go in between the hair and put a drop. Wait 1/2 hour or so and paint the threads again. Put the first coat on heavy, it will soak through. (Nylon thread anyways)
I have tested this polyurethane in water, and saltwater for 2 days of soaking....no issues. If you do a lot of jigs.....and saltwater jigs......very cheap option that works great.

 

[CrappieHappy]

pretty much the same. the tutorial section shows some step by step as well...

 

[LedHed]

I use a dab of cement/glue/fp at the end of the tye. For the hardbody jigs I use a lot of clear fingernail polish.

 

[Squeakyboatcaptain]

I know that I don't need to use the glue, but for some reason it has become a habit... I use a 210 denier for tying, and know it's some tough stuff. Maybe one day I'll lay off of it... Maybe just like sniffing glue?? Who knows?!! Lol. Thanks for the input... It doesn't take that long to do... And makes me feel like it will hold together better... So to each his own I guess

 

[Fatman]

Jerry - As with tying vise's to each his own, if you feel more comfortable using it then it's what's best for you!!!!

 

[blt]

Jerry - As with tying vise's to each his own, if you feel more comfortable using it then it's what's best for you!!!!

X's 2. There is no right or wrong, only "does it work" that people have to worry about.

 

[quivira kid]

On 1/16-oz jigs, I try and add a little taper to the body. I start the chenille at the head, wrap it halfway back, then wrap the thread all the way to the tail. Then take the thread back to the head and wrap the chenille up. On bigger jigs, I wrap frontall the way to the tail with the chenille, tie down, then wrap to the head.

 

[AtticaFish]

I don't use much glue anymore but always put a coat (or 3) of nail polish over thread necks and thread body styles. I will use glue if i plan to gift them to someone. Don't sell them either - that would make a difference to me. If my own ties fall apart, that just means it has a metting with the reaper (razor) and will be born again. Schucks.

...On bigger jigs, I wrap frontall the way to the tail with the chenille, tie down, then wrap to the head...

Zac - Did i read that right... you wrap your chenille then over wrap it with your thread on larger jigs? Never really thought of doing it that way but sounds like a good idea to try with some of the larger chenilles i have. Heck, you could even counter wrap the chenille then wrap the thread normal. hmmmmmm...... got me thinkin'

 

[JUNGLEJIM1]

I use clear nail polish on the thread wraps on my bass jigs,nothing on crappie jigs. I do glue some eyes.

 

[quivira kid]

Russ, I tie in the chenille at the head and wrap to the tail. Then take a lap of thread from head to tail, back to the head. Makes that layer of chenille an underbody, so to speak. Then wrap the chenille (that's at the tail at this point) back to the head for a fatter body.

 

[Squeakyboatcaptain]

I'm a thinking as well Russ!! Lol

 

[Fatman]

Definate way to bulk up a body on the jig - and if you only have smaller chennille it helps to do just as Zac describes.

 

[StumpHunter]

Russ, I tie in the chenille at the head and wrap to the tail. Then take a lap of thread from head to tail, back to the head. Makes that layer of chenille an underbody, so to speak. Then wrap the chenille (that's at the tail at this point) back to the head for a fatter body.

I do the same as you with my chenille.

I do use glue on my thread before tying in bucktail or heavy hair. Not sure I need to but I don't have any trouble with my jigs so I just keep doing it with the glue or clear NP.