I'm new to jig tying and the bass pro shop starter kit I have has buck tail hair and marabou feathers. It looks like the jigs I've seen on this site are using something different the BT and marabou. Is there a better hair or feather to use, and which is best (hair or feather)?

Buck tail is too coarse for crappie jigs in my opinion. Finer hair, kip tail or calf tail, or fish hair or imitation polar bear hair is better. Marabou has excellent action with lots of movement. The other common tail material is hackle, feathers. There are lots of varieties and color of hackle. Most important thing for me is the action of the feathers in the water. The finer the feathers, the better the action. A tail material that undulates in the water will be more enticing to crappie than stiff tail material IMHO.

I don't care for buck tail. I've had good catching fish with it, but it is too brittle and the jigs don't last very long. I don't care for marabou much either. But again, a lot of fish are caught on marabou. I prefer schlappen, it is better suited for my style of tying. Hackle is good for tips, but I think the barbules are a little too short for the way I tie.
So, as I am writing this, there are two replies, and both give different opinions. What does it mean? Tie up a bunch of jigs and figure out what works best for you.

BTW, welcome to the 'Jig Makers' section. Be sure and post pictures. We love pictures.

Here's pic's of the first two buck tail jigs from my kit. I watched the bass pro shop video, and a couple of youtube video's.

I agree that the buck tail seems to be too course for Crappie jigs. I tested them in the sink and the hair does not move as much as I expected.

More to come!!!





C3

Well done. I was told that buck tail is better for cold water because it is stiffer, therefore simulating a less active bait fish.

I prefer feathers as to what the fish like well still working on that. Feathers last and move nice.

An old school retired crappie guide from Kentucky Lake and good friend showed me years ago how he always tied his with kip tail. So I do the same. I never did ask why kip instead of buck tail so I appreciate the answer finally posted above. Never met any one that could get on the crappie like he could.

That hair looks rather fine for buck tail and doesn't look that coarse.

Which is best is really personal preference. Another consideration is tail material that will slow the jig fall. A fuller tail, using hair and flared out, will slow the jig fall. A 1/8oz jig with a full hair tail will fall slower than a marabou tail. Sometimes you want that slow presentation. Just another consideration.

I prefer feathers, but most of my fishing is spring on, but early spring if the water is still cool then I am not sure Kip Tail may not be better when cool. I use to turn my nose up at the stuff even though I would tie it if ask. However one year some guy from Louisiana called me and ask if he sent me a jig could I make them. I told him to send the jig and I would see. Cut story some here.....I took one apart and sent the head out, someone made a mold like I wanted with a collar like I wanted and he sent me 2 jig heads to try as samples. I tied up 2 jigs, then decided to just go stick one in the water. Actually used a cork and didn't even cast, fishing just a couple feet from me off my bank. Well after about 15 minutes or so I had 4 with the smallest at 14".
I was convinced these jigs work and work well! Here are the 2 jigs I tied as samples to check the head out.....

When I first started tying I used feathers. Then I started using craft fur and have ever looked back. Craft fur is much more durable than feathers and cheaper too!

Craft fur is pretty good stuff, but I just never cared for it much. I have a good bit of it, just never tie it.

You better listen to those guys in Louisiana, they know a thing or two about crappie....Now about those pink headed jigs...hmmm.