here is a little tutorial of how to.  there is 2 different ways I explain

Here is how to make a couple different styles of skirts

The banded skirt is the easiest.

Parts needed

Pliers, band, skirt material

All is required is putting the band on the pliers and opining it up then feed the material through the band

finished skirt all is needed is trim the tab ends

My favorite is the wire tie.  A bit more difficult but not really hard to do

I use about 24 ga wire.  You will need a vice, pliers and diaganal cutters

step 1

Pictured is round rubber

bend the wire to somewhat hold material on.  

Step 2

finish a complete wrap then finalize with a second wrap and twist tight with pliers.  You will have to get the hang of how tight.  To tight the wire will break and to loose it will slide around

pull the material apart and trim excess wire

Finished jig

Where did you get your wire? I have been looking for some copper wire but all I find is green.

Allen

I found some galvanized and black coated wire at Wal-Mart in the hardware section, didn't look for copper, but they might have some.

I used some of the galvanized building a wooden crankbait and it rusted on me. Now I did like the black wire but the smallest size they had was 20 guage.

Allen

BPS caries a smaller diameter wire in a variety of finishes copper, black, silver, etc. I use that on most of my jigs and it ties very similar to a thread but a lot more durable. You have to make a few more wraps but the end product is very similar to what GMAN comes up with.

Harshman

I have been using the windings out of an old electric motor for years.  They cut at just the right length and were free since the motor wouldn't run.

I went to radio shack and bought 100 ft of 24 ga or something like that. I think it was 4-5 dollars. It has the coating on it. So I cut a piece off a couple inches or so. just take a pair of wire strippers strip about 1" off one end, then I hold the wire with the pliers and pull the rest of the coating off with my thumbnail and finger. It takes me about 5 seconds to do it. If you have strong fingernails you can peel about a foot or so off and make a bunch of jigheads.

The roll of wire is in the 2nd jig head pic.  

GMAN I noticed you did several twists 2 are enough.

yeah Thats how I tighten it up.  Twist'er up and then I cut it off about 2 twists.  I've had good luck like that.  The twists are tight and the skirt doesnt move.  There probably is an easier/better way.

I use 2 pairs of needle nose pliers.  Pull the wire as tight as I can the wrap.  Regrip and wrap again.  Cut off excess mash down.

that makes sense.  I'll try it and see if its faster and better.  Thanks

Do you have any advice for wire tying tabs of silicone?  

Thanks guys.

Cory

PS.  This is an awesome series of threads.  Thanks from all the noobs just getting started.

The best way I have found to do it is a combination of both methods.  I build the skirt with some old crappy collars I have.  Put it on the jig and wire tie the skirt on.  Then I cut the collar off.  There is probably a better way to do it but I have yet to figure it out.

I'll give that a try.

The skirt expander from Naked bait co. just arrived today This weekend I plan on making some more sunfish skirts to try it out.

Allen

How did that skirt expander work for you?

What a great idea get your copper wire out of an electric motor so simple!

Haven't tried it out yet I am spending a loy of time pouring drop shot minnows.

Allen

do more wraps of wire reduce the skirt's flare?  How do I tie a multi color skirt of round rubber without using a ton of thread wraps?

do more wraps of wire reduce the skirt's flare? How do I tie a multi color skirt of round rubber without using a ton of thread wraps?

I would think the location of the tie would change flare.  I'm not real sure though.

for rubber I always layered it then tied it all at once.

The best way I have found to do it is a combination of both methods. I build the skirt with some old crappy collars I have. Put it on the jig and wire tie the skirt on. Then I cut the collar off. There is probably a better way to do it but I have yet to figure it out.

That is the only way I know how to wire tie also.  There isn't any way to keep your skirt in place and layered accordingly without using a collar to hold it in place while you tie the wire.  It's a PIA, so I just use my little zip ties.