Why do finesse jig builders trim the outer (top) layer of skirt strands short instead of using 1/2 the number of strands without cutting them?

 

oe

1 hour ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Why do finesse jig builders trim the outer (top) layer of skirt strands short instead of using 1/2 the number of strands without cutting them?

 

oe

To make them smaller, and more subtle.

Its all about profile.  Sometimes you decrease the # of strands or you cut the top.  Sometimes both.  Here is my Sniper in both styles. 

3 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

Why do finesse jig builders trim the outer (top) layer of skirt strands short instead of using 1/2 the number of strands without cutting them?

 

oe

I think I'm understanding what you mean. Why not just use half the amount of strands to begin with. To make a thinner skirt without much bulk but without the ends sticking forward by the head. 

My guess would be that by cutting back the top leaves a less bulky profile and provides something different visually. The extreme version of this is the puffball jig.

3 hours ago, 5/0 said:

My guess would be that by cutting back the top leaves a less bulky profile and provides something different visually. The extreme version of this is the puffball jig.

This is what I think...just a narrower profile

It is all about profile. Buzz cut, crop top, or spider cut, which ever you prefer but it is done for profile purposes. I read an article somewhere about Jim Eakins and why his jig had the skirt cut like that. He said it was like that to resemble a crawfish tail and to hide the outline of the jig head. These were originally made for fishing clear water so the profile was really important.

33 minutes ago, smalljaw67 said:

resemble a crawfish tail and to hide the outline of the jig head

That actually makes sense!

OK with stated reasons for "buzz cut"... I've not been successful with it.  I do catch bass with skirt thinned to 2 dozen strands and also with jighead/plastic sans skirt.

 

oe

14 hours ago, Luke Barnes said:

I think I'm understanding what you mean. Why not just use half the amount of strands to begin with. To make a thinner skirt without much bulk but without the ends sticking forward by the head. 

English is my second language, so maybe it's me...

On 4/20/2022 at 4:50 AM, smalljaw67 said:

 it was like that to resemble a crawfish tail

This.  It sinks a little slower also.  Mr Eakins had the market cornered for a while.

The forward short cut skirt covers the jig head, creates a different profile, creates movements and cushions the landing on hard surfaces.

This jig design isn’t new been around at least 40 years and became very popular out west by Skinny Bear jigs in the early 80’s.

Tried  hair jigs with that style cut and lost bottom contact feedback. Modified the cut to covering the top half of the jig head exposing the hard bottom half to get the click back hitting the rocks for better feedback. 

I stopped using the forward hair cut because it made tying knots without getting hair tangle in the knot. 

I prefer the jig head to click when it hits rocks, soft bottom the collar tends collect debris but it does create move suttle movements on finesse weight jigs.

Tom

I tie some of both for myself. The flared skirt slows the fall while keeping a small profile with little action. The full skirt has a little more action and falls faster if the skirt sizes are similar. 

21 hours ago, KP Duty said:

This.  It sinks a little slower also. 

No, the same jig with less strands falls faster.

9 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

No, the same jig with less strands falls faster.

The tall collar made of taut skirting material creates more drag.   

1 hour ago, KP Duty said:

The tall collar made of taut skirting material creates more drag.   

Nope, don't take my word for it, try it in a pool.