Making a Fishing Jig

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If trying to save a few bucks in your fishing budget, consider making your own fishing jigs. Jigs are a popular choice of lure for bass, walleye and bluegill. Constructing your own lets you buy the materials in bulk and customize color combinations, giving you a range of choices when trying for the big ones. The construction process is straightforward, requiring a small amount of time and workshop space. Jigheads, the foundation of the jig, come in a variety of weights--from 1/8 ounce to 5/8 ounce.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Jigheads
Skirt material or jig skirts
Scissors

Step 1

Pick up a jighead and skirt from your collection in the the color combination you want. Place the jighead and tail on a flat work surface or work bench.

Step 2

Pull up on the small rubber band on the underside of the jig skirt. Slide the jighead hook under the rubber band, so the tail material is parallel to the jighead hook's barb. This rubber band is the skirt collar. The hook must go all the way under the collar, and the barb is facing down.

Step 3

Cut the jig tail down to your desired length or shape, using scissors.

Step 4

Tie the jig to the end of your fishing line, and use with a small sinker or weight, depending on the jighead size and depth of the water you fish.

Tips & Warnings

Jig skirts are available in silicone or plastic. Choose the material best suited for your fishing needs. Silicone skirts come in more varieties of color than plastic, but do not have the same pulsing quality in the water.

Make the tail equal to the jighead hook if you plan to fish the jig in aquatic vegetation or plants, as the shorter tail means less snags. Leave the tail longer if you use it in deeper or plant-free areas.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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