First jig fish on my first jig I've ever made. Not a giant but a keeper at 16" none the less. It's a bunch of browns and purples with a hint of black and blue in there.  I call it the "Ozark Special" lol.

Congrats, it always feels special to catch fish on a bait you made yourself.

Congrats, it always feels special to catch fish on a bait you made yourself.

It does.  I do believe I'm truly hooked as far as making my own jigs. 

I have a cool tool for making skirts, it sure helps if you are going to do more than just a few.  I will see if I can find the name of it for you.

Job well done.

Job well done.

Thanks! I can't wait until the rest of my stuff comes in so I can throw in some living rubber with some of the designs I have in mind. Should have started doing this a long time ago 

It is made by a company called Naked Baits, it is not a comerical skirt making tool, but for lower quantities it makes it easy.  I use the tool with a typical skirt band and get my skirt the way I want it.  I install it, then wire tire just below the skirt band and then cut the skirt band free. 

 

Aaaah the skirt expander.  Do you find it easier to make multi colored jigs with a collar in the skirt expander then wire tie them in the vice then cut the collar?

 

Edit: Nevermind I didn't see what you wrote above the pic.

Aaaah the skirt expander.  Do you find it easier to make multi colored jigs with a collar in the skirt expander then wire tie them in the vice then cut the collar?

That is exactly how I do it, you can get your skirt exactly like you want them and then wire tie.

That seems like a much better approach.  I've been tying them in the vice.  Starting with the front, I'll get it the way I want it then tie it with some fishing line with an overhand knot then flip it around and do the back then tie with copper wire.  It's not too hard but your way seems much more efficient.  

I have tried a few different ways, once I got this tool it reduced the time and my skirts looked a lot better.    A solid 25 dollar investment.

I have tried a few different ways, once I got this tool it reduced the time and my skirts looked a lot better.    A solid 25 dollar investment.

Just picked one up on TW.  Kind of takes out a lot of the need for the vice, but it could still come in handy for tying.  

I remember the first bass I caught on one of my home made jigs, exciting times. 

I remember the first bass I caught on one of my home made jigs, exciting times. 

 

So true.  Congrats!!