jig tying equipment?

[viva_che1363]

over the past few years i have been incorporating jigs in my fishing for steelhead/salmon, and was thinking about tying some for my self. i looked  around the fishing section at cabelas but didn't buy anything figuring id ask on here what i should be looking for.
so what basic starter equipment should i be looking for? im assuming jig heads, vice, thread, marabu, etc. and what should i be looking at price wise. i'll probbably head into teds in lynnwood sometime this week and talk to them, i just wanted to know what im getting my self into.
thanks

[Bullkllr]

I'm sure the guys at Ted's will give you great advice.

Be very careful of the jig heads/hooks you buy. Most of the ones available for attractive prices are made for warm water fish and are made very weak. They will not stand up to steelheadd/salmon.
X-strong Owner/Gami/others cost more but will make you happy.

[snowpack]

If you look for a jig mold, you can pour your own jigheads.  then you can match hooks around.  I got a do-it mold for about $35 bucks that had a variety of sizes.  If you want to save on fuel, pour the heads in summer in bulk.  Then you can paint/cure and tie the rest through the year.  I've used pro-tec paints and I seem to recall them running about $6 for a container of powder paint.  Marabou and stuff varies from fishing stores to craft stores, or you can make stuff from hair from animals you kill.

[SuperFull]

I source a lot of my spinner components through Barlows.  Great customer service and quick delivery.  They have pretty much most any kind of component for everything fishing.  Idk about the price comparison on jig supplies but the spinner components are priced good.  Worth a look http://www.barlowstackle.com

[viva_che1363]

I'm sure the guys at Ted's will give you great advice.

Be very careful of the jig heads/hooks you buy. Most of the ones available for attractive prices are made for warm water fish and are made very weak. They will not stand up to steelheadd/salmon.
X-strong Owner/Gami/others cost more but will make you happy.

good call, i usually use gami or owners for steelhead and salmon, for pinks i'll use brads, but usually good hooks pay off in the long run

[viva_che1363]

snow, ill have to look into pouring my own lead i havent thought to much about it but i dont know if it'll be possible living in an apartment.
super, thanks for the link i will make sure to bookmark that it looks like a good resource.

[Bullkllr]

Found this http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=51777 which contains a good equipment run down.

I've been using the "beadhead" idea since the 80s when we tore apart original "Leo Special" jigs and started making our own. Simple, works.

[7mmfan]

Nice Bullkllr, I haven't seen anyone making jigs like that in a long time, but it works great! They look good too.

Viva, if you have a back patio off the apartment you can pour jig heads. You get a little hot-pot melting pot that plugs right into the wall and your mold. While I don't recommend doing it inside, you could get away with pouring a few by an open window. Once your set up you can pour 50 heads in about 20 minutes, that will keep you busy for a while tying and experimenting.

[Bullkllr]

I see tying jigs and pouring lead as 2 pretty separate issues. If you're really into it, yeah, pour your own heads. But that will require a pot, lead, mold, paint, etc. Pre-made Gami jig heads are available (obviously you pay more per piece). Or with the bead head idea you cut all that out. Good place to start for a guy who just wants to make a few jigs to try out imo.

[TheHunt]

over the past few years i have been incorporating jigs in my fishing for steelhead/salmon, and was thinking about tying some for my self. i looked  around the fishing section at cabelas but didn't buy anything figuring id ask on here what i should be looking for.
so what basic starter equipment should i be looking for? im assuming jig heads, vice, thread, marabu, etc. and what should i be looking at price wise. i'll probbably head into teds in lynnwood sometime this week and talk to them, i just wanted to know what im getting my self into.
thanks

That writeup from iFish is good.  The vise has to hold the hook/jig secure as you at times put alot of pressure on the hook while tying.  As others have said get a good hook not the crap wire they sell at cabelas.  But the quality hook or it will bend and you loose your fish. 

Weight of jig is important.  The heavest I use is 1/8 oz jig.  In fact, I use 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 oz heads.  1/O is the average hook that I like.  White, Pink, Red and Black are the most used.   I would start out with Kevlar thread for your first jigs. That thread is the strongest you can buy and using the lighter you might break it in the middle tying your jig. 

[viva_che1363]

thanks for the reply's guys. i have noticed that the smaller jigs 1/8, 1/16 usually outfish the larger ones so ill definitely keep that in mind. i just need to find some time to get to the store and get some components.

[splitshot]

  I went to walmart and bought some jig hooks in 16ths, 32nds and 64ths.  you can repaint them if you want .  then put on mylar, marabou, etc.  really easy.  also scent them if legal.    mike w

[SuperFull]

  I went to walmart and bought some jig hooks in 16ths, 32nds and 64ths.  you can repaint them if you want .  then put on mylar, marabou, etc.  really easy.  also scent them if legal.    mike w

I can only assume that those are light wire hooks?  If so, not gonna land very many salmon or steel with them. 

[viva_che1363]

quality hooks are worth it. there's no sense in having a good rod, reel ,leader ,and whatnot but buying cheep hooks

[splitshot]

sometimes I go 2x or 3x strong hooks.  they sink better, if tying egg flies, etc.   mike w

[Bullkllr]

sometimes I go 2x or 3x strong hooks.  they sink better, if tying egg flies, etc.   mike w

True dat.

But are you finding those at Wally's? I have looked and the ones around here def. do not carry any besides the cheapos.

Most of the jig hooks for warm-water are actually designed to straighten out on snags. Do not use them for salmon and steelhead. You may get lucky and land some, but sooner or later they will let you down in a huge way. In the 80/90s it was hard to find any good jig hooks and many were commercially made with bad hooks. I repeat; do not use them for salmon or steelhead unless you like seeing large fish slip off a straigthened hook as you lead them the last few inches toward the bank or net!!
 ...sorry...it's bringing up scarey memories....

[7mmfan]

sometimes I go 2x or 3x strong hooks.  they sink better, if tying egg flies, etc.   mike w

True dat.

But are you finding those at Wally's? I have looked and the ones around here def. do not carry any besides the cheapos.

Most of the jig hooks for warm-water are actually designed to straighten out on snags. Do not use them for salmon and steelhead. You may get lucky and land some, but sooner or later they will let you down in a huge way. In the 80/90s it was hard to find any good jig hooks and many were commercially made with bad hooks. I repeat; do not use them for salmon or steelhead unless you like seeing large fish slip off a straigthened hook as you lead them the last few inches toward the bank or net!!
 ...sorry...it's bringing up scarey memories....

I cannot second this enough. Even the standard guage Gamakatsu jig hooks are junk. I lost a lot of fish in the first couple years I fished jigs because I didn't know any better. I switched to the the 2x heavy Gamakatsus and was a lot happier. Made another switch to Matzuos and was super happy, but they stopped making the hooks I liked. Now I use Owner 2x heavys and they are the shiz. They'll break before they'll bend, and I haven't broken one yet.

[lostbackpacker]

over the past few years i have been incorporating jigs in my fishing for steelhead/salmon, and was thinking about tying some for my self. i looked  around the fishing section at cabelas but didn't buy anything figuring id ask on here what i should be looking for.
so what basic starter equipment should i be looking for? im assuming jig heads, vice, thread, marabu, etc. and what should i be looking at price wise. i'll probbably head into teds in lynnwood sometime this week and talk to them, i just wanted to know what im getting my self into.
thanks

I live in marysville.  You can borrow my jig tying stuff to see if you are really interested in doing it on you own.  I have everything you need and can show you the how to if ya want.  just pm me