Making jigs for steelies

[StacyR]

This year I started getting into tying my own crappie jigs. There's not much difference between jigs for crappie and jigs for steelhead. Same tools, pretty much the same materials, just different hooks. I've looked at those $2.00+ steelhead jigs hanging on the rack and said, "I can do that myself for a lot less."

There's a bajillion different styles, colors and weights though. I've never jig fished for steelhead in Idaho before. What colors, weights and hook sizes would you guys recommend?
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[hulapopper]

stacyr google elkin lures. look at their steelhead jig order form. this will give you a good idea.
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[STEELHEADKID]

Rabbit strip jigs have a far superior action to bucktail or marabou.....
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[osprey02]

These worked for me last weekend


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[MMDon]

I enjoy tying them. It's a great reward to catch a Steelie on your own creations!




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[troutgass]

What weight of jig head are those?
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[Tarponjim]

SWEET box of steelie jigs Don![cool][cool]
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[hulapopper]

very nice jigs ! i see a bsu one ![]
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[StacyR]

Still need info on weights and hook sizes, though. I have some 1/8th ounce with size 1s and 1/16th ounce with size 6s, but the last few times I've been down to the Snake River, the flows have been really high. Not sure if it's the same for the other rivers. Should I get some 1/4 ounce heads?
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[jigs]

i like using the 1/4 but most ppl like either the 1/8 or even the 1/16 in smaller streams. i personaly like the 1/4 for the fact that i know im in the strike zone, but you get a more natural movement with the lighter weights. i like to use the same hook size on my 1/4 and 1/8 i cant remember which size without digging threw my storage bins. but i like to use a longer hook.
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[MMDon]

I use 1/4 gami's mostly but I do have some 1/8's for fishing the dead shallow water.
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[nijimasu]

I was just trying to figure how to tie some myself. I bought a bunch of 8th oz heads- but their just the normal wire hooks- not the indutrial strength ones I shoulda got for steelies. I probably have some straightened-out hooks in my future. I used my fly-tieing stuff to come up with these. They might catch something, I guess.


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[MMDon]

They look great! Steelies aren't that picky but they will straighten a light jig hook pretty easily.

Lighten the drag!
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[StacyR]

Well, I went to Howard's in Nampa yesterday and bought 100 1/4 ounce and 20 1/8 ounce. They are the heavy wire hook type. The 1/4 ounce will end up being slightly lighter, since I had to cut the collars off. The smaller jigs have size 4 hooks and 60 degree eyes. I think the larger ones are size 1 or 2 with standard eyes and a long shank. Thinking I'm going to make some of them into beaded jigs.

Powder painted 20 of each with 10 black and 10 white. I plan on tying some up tomorrow. I will try to take some pictures.
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