First question is pertaining to Chenille. I've been doing a ton of reading lately and came across something of interest and wondered what you guys thought.

1. Do any of you guys steam your chenille before use?

My second question is related to jigs/hooks. I have a very limited experience. All my jig heads thus far have been the Chome Waspi 1/8 and sometime whatever Walmart has on their shelves. I want to order some custom unpainted ones like I've seen you guys post. The pill heads, darts, minnow head, etc.

1. What sizes/weights would be a good option for crappie/sandbass?
2. Also I see a lot of sickle hooks posted, what sizes for above.

Ok, I know I said a couple of questions, but just one more. Other than crappie/sandbass, What sizes are you guys using and what are you going after?


Thanks guys and or gals.

If steamming means removing the chenille down to the core thread yes sometimes but rarely do I do it.
I use #4 sickle in 1/8 & 1/16oz...
I only fish for crappie so don't use any other size hooks...

I bought a skein of nylon black & it was all mashed & twisted. I was told that steaming it would restore its shape. I did & it definitely helped but it's hard to do real long sections so I cut it into more manageable lengths.

As for jig hooks & heads, 1/8 & 1/16oz is most popular but 1/32 is also widely used. The walleye heads, ball heads & pony heads are I guess the top 3. I mostly tie on ball & walleye jigs. #4 is by far the most used but #2 is also a good option.

I've never steamed my chenille, but I guess you'd do it to remove kinks and bad spots. It might help on a a pretty trout fly, but I don't see the value for a crappie jig.

My opinion on hooks is a little different than most around here, I use regular Eagle Claw #6 hooks on a custom 1/16 jig head I designed.

I've tied a couple 1/0 and 2/0 for for white bass. It takes a little getting used to when you are usually tying small crappie jigs.

If you are looking for well priced supplies, look up forum member Tim White.

Crazy Angler has a good selection as well..

1/4oz is another good size to have...

Okay Pepop is right on the steaming, cut piece you think is long enough (maybe like 3 yards) to use for what your doing and don't hold in steam long time, just pas it though close to the steam supply and it will fluff up like new. Not needed at all on most, but some places you order from may have it on cards and that will make it crush faster! I would never leave my chenille on cards even when I bought small amounts years ago. I put it in zip lock bags. I also buy all mine in skeins though.

As for size, for sure 1/16 is by far most popular, but then for me a 1/32 is best in spring bar none! Summer when deeper water tight line style I use 1/8 or even 1/4 Oz. Also use the heavier jigs at night. I figure 1/32 is more popular than 1/8 but it's close and more guys are leaning heavier once they understand they will hit that bigger jig and it's much easier to feel deep and especially if it's windy. Guys fishing spider rig or slow trolling will use heavier weight like an egg sinker than then jigs or hooks after that.

Oh almost forgot some guys will use a pegged egg type sinker to get deep and then have a 1/32 Oz jig as the bait. These egg sinker are like 1/4 or 3/8 Oz.

If you fish a lot and to cover it all year round you will need some of all weights and hook size. But if I was going to use just one it would be 1/16 on a number 4 hook.

What Larry said. For all situations, have some 1/8 and 1/16. And for me, a little bigger hook doesn't hurt at all and may help with the hook up ratio or a few less lost fish. When I order jigs from these guys, it's usually the same qty of 1/8 and 1/16. I have plenty of both.

Example: timber fishing most of the year, 1/8. Same time of year and I find a brush pile with nice eater size fish, 11-12", that 1/16 will usually get the most bites. That slower fall and smaller presentation will entice them better. I rarely use 1/32 and that's probably why I don't catch as many.

Well Stated, Ken....

Shows I don't know nothin bout steaming.....LOL
Learn something new ever day!!!

Haven't steamed any chenille....but I may now. One of the posts mentioned chenille fluffin up after steaming. I wunder how that steaming process would work on a tied jig with some synthetic palmer chenille? Wunder if it will fluff up more and allow for some straightening and forming to be done like a clowser fly. Hmmm, may have to try this "steaming"!

You can put the chenille on a wet paper towel and put it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds. I have used this method in the past. If the chenille is already tied on the jig, try about 30 seconds........

I have done steaming chenille many times and works like a charm. I picked that tip up on a fly tying site many years back. I just put a small amount of water in a pot and turn on high. Once it is a full boil steaming like crazy just pass it through steady and you will see it fluff and untwist all at the same time. I don't do this with new chenille, no need, but much of what you may get from a shop is maybe new and maybe not so new. From what I have learned from danville over the years is that chenille if left alone will crush on it self so add putting 5 yards on a card and making it tight is just going to speed up that crushing!

Just don't go so slow it gets wet! Then don't go so fast it docent untwist some and fluff! I always let it air out right after and maybe even hold it in a fan for a minute, but the jigs will darn sure look better. You can do a good bit at a time, but I just do what I am working on at that minute and get a few yards and fluff it. I doubt I would try over 5 yards as it's just too long.

Oh almost forgot, I take the chenille and set the bunch on a stool or something off stove top and I use a colander to put it in when I have passed it through the steam so I don't drop it in the water or on the burner.

Not sure I would put just water on my chenille no matter what. Even if you over steam it, it can ruin it if over done!

Skip

So you're telling me that I shouldn't put my chenille in the water?

How are you going to catch fish if you don't wet your chenille?
(I couldn't resist)