Hand Tying Silicone Skirts

[Curt]

Hey guys, I've been hand tying my own jigs for years and years. But every single one of them has been tied with rubber, not silicone.

I have attempted to tie silicone skirt tabs on a jig and it always, inevitably comes out like crap. I guess the biggest problem I have is with holding the skirt tab in place while I attempt to tie it in place, either with thread or wire. It just spreads all apart and I end up giving up.

I know this is doable. I know some guys cut the strips in half and tie the solid end of the strip to the jig collar. But I believe it's somehow possible use silicone skirt tabs without cutting them in half.

Does anyone have any pointers or know of a good video that shows how to do this?

Thanks in advance 

[Whopper]

put the skirt on with a rubber skirt band first and then tie it afterward.

[Curt]

put the skirt on with a rubber skirt band first and then tie it afterward.

That's what I was thinking. So I tried it and got frustrated with all of the skirt "legs" getting in the way. Just need to figure out how to deal with that part of it.

Thanks for the help. Appreciate it 

[Bullet3119]

I found a very simple solution to all of my jig tying questions. Buy them from Flatlands Custom Tackle.  @Joey Watts is the man.

[Joey Watts]

 I do them free handed with no vice. Build the skirt like you want it and can layer them in certain ways when you slide into skirt collars so that when you spread the skirt to slide jig head in that you get the desired look. I slide the skirt to just underneath the collar on the jig. Take about 2' piece of wire and wrap around jig twice right above band on skirt. Slide it up over skirt collar and pull semi tight with my fingers real quick. I then turn jig head up side down to straighten skirt just a little. Once I do that, grab wire with whatever you want ( I use hemo stats ) and pull tight. Once tight start twisting wire until you feel it get tight. (They make a tool for this) Cut wire, bend it over and trim skirt.
I build skirts according to jig size and to me that makes a better jig and better looking jig once it's complete.

[Curt]

Thanks @Joey Watts. Appreciate the input 

[Whopper]

Ed Zachary what Joey said

[dchance]

another thing to consider is this. As far as jigs are concerned, why wire tie? (I do for some so I'm being Devils Advocate here). I mean if I have a jig long enough for the rubber collar to wear out, then I probably am not ever going to fish it. I only wire tie my living rubber jigs. Now spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are a different story.
One trick that has been much easier for me than wire though, which I have done to all my spinnerbaits and buzzbaits is rather than use wire, I use a very small cable tie. works great and won't deteriorate.

[Whopper]

I never thought about a cable tie. I wire tie a lot for customers but never for my own.  Except Spinner baits and bladed jigs. 

[dchance]

Yeah the cable tie is super simple and works great. I just did this to all my spinnerbaits and buzzbaits because the stock rubber collars were all rotting. even those only a year old.

[Joey Watts]

I have bought tons of jigs that the very first time you set the hook, the skirt is down around the bottom of the hook. I would never buy a jig from a store that has a rubber collar when I can buy one that is hand tied for pretty much the same cost. I can promise, you buy a jig from me. You will loose that jig before you tear up the skirt.

[Jimmy RodandReel]

. I can promise, you buy a jig from me. You will loose that jig before you tear up the skirt.

 

[Wizard]

Joey's custom work is among the best in the business. You tell him what colors to use and it's like he gets into your head. It is just what you wanted. I've bought a lot of jigs from Joey and never, ever, had a problem with the skirts. You will lose the jig before it loses the skirt.

[dchance]

can't say I've ever lost a skirt before a jig. hence the reason I started pouring my own. gets expensive.