How cost effective is it to make your own jig skirts?  Id like to make traditional and swimjig skirts to get exactly what I want.  Save a few dollars through the course of a year?

Cheaper is a relative term. In order to really save on skirt costs, you will have to buy them by the 100 pack of a particular color. So if you want 6 colors mixed, you will have to buy 6 colors of  (100) count each. The 100 count is where the next price break is. Also remember you have to pay for shipping as well. If you are looking to make 10 or 20 skirts, there is really no savings, unless you like to tinker or make exactly what you want. It would be best to have someone make you the skirt with the colors you want, if someone happens to have that color.

@cadman nailed it.

Building your own skirts is generally not a place in the sport where one can realize much in the way of super savings; not like buying bulk spools of line for instance.

On the other hand, it's fun and has a certain level of self satisfaction to it.

 Obviously, the Biggest Plus is, you can make your skirts with THE EXACT size, shape, color & type of material you want. 

I make my own but really do keep them fairly simple, with just the right amount of color & flash.

A-Jay

I used to make my own skirts, but now I usually just buy pre made skirts from Seibert. As far as cost effective, nothe quite sure. I do find that buying the unpainted heads and skirts separate tend to save me around $1- $1.50 per jig. I can basically build my own Hack Attack jig for much cheaper than buying. I just have to pain it and install weed guard and skirt.

In the long run... yea. 

I don't have the time, I have Siebert or Real Deal Custom make them for me.

"cheaper to make own skirts?"

Sounds like my wife   

I have found that the skirts I make with the rubber ring retainer have two problems.  The ring is easily cut by pike teeth, and even if cut, they don't have the retention on the jig head bard like the "molded" skirts.

If you're concerned about the cost differential between commercial skirts and homemade skirts,

you might also consider eliminating the skirt altogether.

I often fish naked trailers, especially with swimjigs which are usually retrieved nonstop.

 

Roger

 

Like others have said making just a few you will not save much money. The positive point is you can make whatever you want and the basic skirt tool that I use is $5. Honestly this is the cheapest and easiest way to get into making custom baits.

 

Allen