First up, I want to thank karstopo and meadowlark for introducing me to making balanced leeches in the Fly Tying section. I want to use this technique to make cheap crappie jigs I can simply suspend off the back of my boat, and have the rocking motion do the work...still fishing. I used Eagle Claw 570-8 (sz 8) jig hooks and cut about a 1/3 off the tip of a dressmaker's pin to extend the front, then attached and melted a piece of 25 # mono to secure 2 steel craft bead eyes. I dressed this first one with some scraps, and now I want to go buy variations of the 3 materials...chenille, marabou, and dyed Chinese saddle hackles. I know this is a departure from lead head jigs. It's pretty light, but it sits fairly horizontal (I've got it balanced here). Thought this group might have some interest.

Balanced crappie jig

awesome...

Thought I should post one better balanced and with better materials. Again, not a heavy fly...for use on a fly rod.


Balanced Jig #2

Very nice! I'd try it

Very realistic looking critters. I bet they will hunt great!