I would like to start making my own skirts for jigs and would like some information on where to start. Silicone would be my preference. I've browsed a few sites on tackle making and there are many types off patterns to choose from; solid colors, barbed wire, solid w/ glitter or flake, natural pattern etc. What would be a good starting point and why would one pattern be used over another?

 

Thanks....Joe

 

 

What do you like in factory baits? Start there then explore new colors that look good. 

 

Allen 

I'd start off in the black family and branch out from there.

All black

The classic black & blue

Black and pumpkin

black and watermelon

Then maybe start adding in a  white belly and/or a couple/few strand of accent colors on the sides.

Make as simple or as complicated as you want. You'll finally settle on a color scheme that works best for your waters and will find that you'll only make a handful of patterns.

Good luck

32 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Then maybe start adding in a  white belly and/or a couple/few strand of accent colors on the sides.

Thank you! I'm going to start with solid color material and layer as you suggested. To get the accent on the sides do you use a full tab and then trim out the middle after skirt is put on the head , or do you trim out middle of tab when layering the skirt tabs. I will be using a skirt tool and O rings to start. 

Buy colors based on the jigs you have confidence in, or colors similar to your favorite soft plastics.

 

Or do what I did, buy a random variety pack, a few packs of green pumpkin, and then like ten packs of anything I thought looked awesome.

Also, check out Smalljaw's channel on YouTube. Wealth of information.

12 minutes ago, 5/0 said:

Thank you! I'm going to start with solid color material and layer as you suggested. To get the accent on the sides do you use a full tab and then trim out the middle after skirt is put on the head , or do you trim out middle of tab when layering the skirt tabs. I will be using a skirt tool and O rings to start. 

I actually like to start out with like 4 strands of the tab per side. Remember, it doubles when it's laid over the o-ring. See how that looks and adjust to your liking. 

 

I start top down. Black on top, say green sides and white belly. Install on the jig. I'll check that then will take say 3 strands, fold it over and by hand, put it up to where I think some accent will go. Should it be up toward the back or more in the middle? Once determined, you can fit it in.

So for a recipe so to speak:

1 full black tab

1 full green tab - split in half for the side

1/2 white tab for the belly

2 sets of 3-4 strands of accent color.

 

I hope I explained that right.

You can go down the rabbit hole fast if not careful.

1. Start with colors you like and use.

2. Get a few bright high lights colors like blue and chartreuse metal flake tabs.

3. Barb wire patterns green pumpkin and crawdad brownish reds are main color tabs.

4. Try to find black and brown tabs, black on one side+brown the opposite side.

I use 1 tab and 1/3 to 1/2 tabs split and mixed with the main color tab, total 2 tabs max.

You want to tie or band the tabs 1/3 with 2/3 facing forward towards the jig head. Cut the tab ends off about 1/4” to seperate the strands. Hold the jig head upwards and then trim stands about 3/4” below the hook bend. 

Good luck,

Tom

I buy from fishing skirts.  I buy 100 tabs at a time.  I normally buy several colors at a time.  Cuts costs and shipping.  It also sets me up for a long time.   Go for it.