Black emerald shiner

Was working on an order and ran out of chenille (already have it ordered) but was still in a tying mood. I had an idea. I keep hearing about how well the black emerald shiner works and well, I tried lol. The colors didn't show up that great but there's green in the black and grey. This one has too much green in the tail and it didn't wrap all the way around on that side like I'd planned.


Second attempt. Cactus chenille didn't cooperate on this one


What do y'all think? Keep trying? If y'all have an idea give it a go and post it up there's got to be a good way to match that plastic

I've been hearing that smaller profile shad fry type baits are working well now so I made up some little grey ghosts too.

The gray ghost looks great.
The black emerald shiner needs more silver flash and gray. Add light gray to the tail, and silver/black chenille body. Then that touch of green all the way around.

Saaweeeeet.....
It'll get ate for sure......

Second one has light gray hackle but added black and darkened it too much. I'll try putting the green back in. I've got some silver/black chenille coming from skip i can play with when it gets here . Thanks for the ideas Ken.

Thanks brother!

Ya'll post up some of your renditions when you get a chance. I bet we could come up with some killer versions!

Put a pink head on that sucker and hang on!!

Nice jigs...I bet those bad boys will hunt

I'll definitely give it a go. I have a habit of always matching the heads to the body or tail. Makes for a pretty jig but sometimes some contrasting color might be the ticket. Just gotta make myself do it lol


Thanks AJ! Just gotta get my boat fixed to find out

Lookin' good! I like the shiners. Might try a small "V" of black in the tail on that Ghost.

Yeah I couldn't make my mind up whether to or not. I've seen most people do

Hey -

I made the BES out 2 hand tied jigs, 1 from Ken Gaby and the other from Papa Mark.

Your jigs look good and I bet they will catch fish

Thanks Todd! You are the master of plastics (or maybe Belinda ) Can't blame a man for tryin, imitation is the highest form of flattery
You wouldn't have pics of those jigs would ya?

If you want to see the hand tied version I gave Todd, maybe Heath will chime in here and show us his minnow imitation. It's his Slab Strik'r Jig minnow that Heath tied a few yrs ago. Can't begin to tell you how many crappie have come in the boat on that jig. Won a couple tournaments with it also and caught that 15.2 lbs we weighed in at Fork Crappie Masters. Compared to the usual colors we like in crappie jigs, the BES just doesn't look like a fish catcher. But once you use it, you quickly change your mind.
I was telling Todd about the jig over the phone and he had just fished the day before with Papa Mark who was using a plain gray jig and killing the crappie. I got to Fork a few days later and gave him the jig I fished at Crappie Masters. And that's when the BES became a plastic crappie killer.

Awesome story! The legend of BES ! I hope he chimes in, I'd love to see it! Pretty neat that it started from hand ties, I never knew that

Here are a couple of ties, opinions welcome. First time posting pictures of my product.

Those'll work, nice ties bud! You got the green in the tails matched pretty good What's that chenille on the left? I don't think I've ever seen it

Here's the Slab Strik'r Jig that started the Black Emerald Shiner.

He weren't to far off Cowboy that is!

Cool! That iridescent in the base of the tail is nice. I've got some black and silver crystal from skip coming, I'm thinking that's what that chenille is.

Here's another baitfish looking one I made today. I'm thinking it should do good

That will catch.

Better pic courtesy of my wife

All of your jigs are very good, but I think you nailed it on that last one.

Thanks Kenny!

Here's another one. This one's itty bitty. Pink head is for you Slew

I've got some material coming that I think I can do even better. I'll post up the results good or bad

Very nice! Love the hint of chart.

I am betting you are going to like the results of fishing this jig.

Thanks Kenny! I think that's the closest I've come so far

From what I hear about BES, I'm betting the same.

Ok I said I'd post up my results of the new material good or bad. It did not turn out like I'd hoped. Here they are


Never know unless you try.
On he bright side I am really happy with this one, BES clone or not

Him and some twin buddies will get to be lake tested soon