Large MOJO skirt tying question

[TROP]

I made up poured some large "Cannonball MOJO" striper jigs. I need to know how to tie the skirts on. I hand a 12" nylon hair and jigs are 24, 28, & 32 oz. I know the hair is tiring on backwards, with the longer part away from the tail. Need to know how to evenly distribute the nylon hair while toeing. There has to be some trick to it. Any advice or tips would be great. Thanks. Joe

 

[AtticaFish]

Have any pictures or links to show the jig style? I've seen 'parachute jigs' and it sounds like the style might be similar with the tail tied on facing forward. I kinda assume you are tying the skirt on to a lead collar? If you are tying all that material out the front end of the jig, i am also assuming you load the jig in the vise backwards and clam on to the hook eye instead of the shank? Sorry, lots of questions. A 32 ounce jig is about 31.75 ounces more than the bigger jigs i throw..... so maybe i am not the best help.

When i tie anything on a lead collar and try to spread it out evenly, i always start with a thread base over most of the collar and wipe it down quick with a thin coat of nail polish (or cement) to make sure nothing will slip. Then, lay the material in the general area you want it to be and make 5 or 6 half tight wraps just to hold it in place. With the slightly looser wraps at first, you can then spread the material around the collar easier... get it evened out.... then make your TIGHT wraps to make sure everything stays put. With about a dozen or so TIGHT TIGHT thread wraps, then use whatever finish knot you want. Seal again with nail polish or head cement.

Welcome to JigCraft! I take it you are fishing the East Coast?

 

[Pup]

First off, I had to Google what a Cannonball Mojo was.  Wow, those are huge, heavy heads!  Bfgtackle.com states they're for striper trolling.

When it comes to jig tying, I like challenges.  So, here's what I'd do...

1. Use a table bench vise to hold the head.  Mount it in the vise jaws so that it's clamped with about 1/2 of the head exposed and its collar/hook eyelet/tail pointing upward.  Use a couple of cheap rubber jar openers to cover the ball head at points where it will be held by the vise jaws to prevent damage to jig eyes or paint.  Your vise may swivel on its base.  If so, maybe you can use that to your advantage by rotating the vise as you position/distribute the skirt evenly.  If not, we can continue on anyway.
2. Get a large twist tie.  One that will cover the circumference of your collar with ample room for your skirt material.  Hold it and your skirt in one hand.  With the skirt held between the tie and the collar, position the material by rolling it and the tie around the collar with your fingers.  Begin to gently tighten the twist tie as you spread the skirt around the collar.  Completely tighten the tie once you've distributed your skirt material evenly and are satisfied with its appearance.  DO NOT REMOVE THE TWIST TIE... yet.
3. Have a bunch of cable ties available and use the one(s) large enough to surround the collar and secure the skirt .  Use as many as necessary to hold the skirt firmly.  Simply untie and remove the twist tie from step 2 when you are finished.
4. You can singe the nylon material behind the ties with high heat or a small flame (butane lighter) if you worry about slippage.

 

[hookup]

I've poured some heavy jigs for jigging saltwater and use a safety wire twisting tool that racers use on their nuts & bolts to secure any hair to the jig

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_17156.jpg
[video=youtube]

 

[TROP]

AtticaFish ,
I would be tying to a lead collar. Painted of course.
Joe

 

[Barefoot]

I tie large bucktail and nylon jigs for Cobia & Grouper. The parachute style uses fine nylon hair and is tied backwards. I figure the total amount of hair I want on the jig and divide that into 4 sections and tie quadrants of the jig at each time. Get the first wrap turned and torque the second wrap down while spreading the hair straight and evenly over the quadrant.
The trick with these large parachutes is to wrap with a 2 - 3 ' length of rigging floss while holding the head with your other hand.
The heavily waxed floss base and wraps will help keep the hair from toeing.
http://www.basspro.com/TufLine-Nylon-Rigging-Floss/product/10209887/

 

[TROP]

Barefoot,
Are you saying that you use the rigging floss instead of thread?
Thanks
Joe

 

[Barefoot]

Yes. It makes all the difference. Heavily waxed and almost sticky; much easier to grip and wrap as well.

 

[Fin and Fur]

I like the zip tie idea! FYI the black ties are rated for outdoor use and are better all around, they grip and stay better last longer in sunlight better at handing chemicals..... just better. I would maybe do two with the locks apposed to each other

 

[Barefoot]

I hope this helps a bit:

 

[TROP]

Barefoot,
Pictures are great learn tool. Send more if you have them.
Thanks
Joe

 

[TROP]

These are pictures of what I am trying to make up. You can see the first picture is what I will start with, just a painted ball jig. But these things are large up to 32 ozs.[img=300x209]http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTExNFgxN...GrHqJ,!o4FJ,yttYnIBScnrBVe2g~~60_35.JPG[/img][img=800x450]http://www.collectiblesanyday.com/jpg/191737863303_1.jpg[/img]

 

[Barefoot]

Joe,
I just took that squid head picture to show the general concept. I did not lay down a flat base of floss, crank down on the hair or finish it.
I use the rigging floss to secure the hair on jigs that are too heavy or awkward to clamp. You can add thread later to finish a head but it is not necessary with a parachute rig.
The floss really does help with getting a good tie.
I can take a few more pics later but I will need a third hand for that.

 

[Barefoot]

I have tied quite a few of the mojo heads and the fact is that you are going to have to hold them when you tie them for small production.
The rigging floss offers the grip and tensile strength to tie on these heads. 
The floss also works for rigging soft plastic squids to jigs and offshore trolling heads. 
All the best,

 

[TROP]

Barefoot, thanks for your help. If you thinks of anything else let me know. Also if you get more pictures send them my way. Thanks again Joe

 

[Pup]

Just like to add a footnote to this thread.  For anyone wishing to try out my solution...typed in earlier.  Try laying your nylon hair over a piece of Frost King Clear Weatherseal Tape that's been cut long enough to surround the circumference of your jig's collar with a small tag end.  Cut the tape to size, horizontally, if it's too wide to work with over the jig head collar, before laying down your nylon hair.  Spread your hair over it evenly, leaving the tag free of hair, and then wrap the collar with it.  Secure this wrap with a twist tie, if necessary, before the final cable ties are applied.  Cinch the cable ties over the hair and then remove the twist tie.  Remove the tape if you can.

You may just find this to be a relatively easy solution.  Oh, and you can wax the underside of your cable ties with crafter's beeswax if you worry about slippage.  Singeing the hair behind the collar should prevent any pull out.

 

[saltyfeathers]

Trip, barefoot has you headed in the right direction. I tie a fair number of parachutes for myself and some other charter boat buddies and I'm by no means an expert but what I do is this. Waxed rigging floss is helpful and really grips uncrimped nylong well but I use Danville's size e so I can keep it on a bobbin and manage it easier. A good thread base is key. As I'm sure you know uncrimped nylon is slippery. Good base layer and heavy tension are what you need, hence why I use size e thread. If you have old braided line t works too but you don't want too fine a diameter. Clamp your head in some padded vice jaws and lay down enough hair for 1/4 of the collar. Get enough wraps on it to hold it in place then pull from the front and back to make sure all the hairs are in line with the head. Its a bummer when you finish tying and realize your hair falls back kind of sideways rather than inline with the Mojo's direction of travel so to speak. Rotate the head and repeat. Head cement of your choice and you're done. Nothing scientific just takes a little time making sure things are just so as you lay down each hank of hair. Hope this helps. I assume you're gearing up for the spring trophy season?

 

[TROP]

Trip, barefoot has you headed in the right direction. I tie a fair number of parachutes for myself and some other charter boat buddies and I'm by no means an expert but what I do is this. Waxed rigging floss is helpful and really grips uncrimped nylong well but I use Danville's size e so I can keep it on a bobbin and manage it easier. A good thread base is key. As I'm sure you know uncrimped nylon is slippery. Good base layer and heavy tension are what you need, hence why I use size e thread. If you have old braided line t works too but you don't want too fine a diameter. Clamp your head in some padded vice jaws and lay down enough hair for 1/4 of the collar. Get enough wraps on it to hold it in place then pull from the front and back to make sure all the hairs are in line with the head. Its a bummer when you finish tying and realize your hair falls back kind of sideways rather than inline with the Mojo's direction of travel so to speak. Rotate the head and repeat. Head cement of your choice and you're done. Nothing scientific just takes a little time making sure things are just so as you lay down each hank of hair. Hope this helps. I assume you're gearing up for the spring trophy season?

 

[TROP]

Thanks all for advice. i will give everything a try. As of yet I have not tied one yet. wIll be ready to tie soon. If you guys think of any other trips or advice send them my way.

 

[TROP]

Anyone know where to get the best deal on 9" shads, plus any more tips or advice on tying "MOJOS"
Thanks