How to Make Rockfish Lures

Tie your own bucktail jigs to catch rockfish.

Rockfish are also referred to as striped bass along the Atlantic Coast. These fish are native to the Atlantic salt waters and attract large numbers of anglers during certain parts of the year. Ferocious fighters when hooked, rockfish can be caught from the beach using surf equipment, including long heavy rods and large-diameter fishing line. Many anglers choose to make their own rockfish lures to save money and create their own custom creations. One popular and productive lure is the bucktail jig.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4 ounce lead head jig hook
• Thread
• Fly-tying vise
• Deer tail hair
• Sharp scissors
• Clear nail polish

Instructions

1. Place a 1/4-ounce lead head jig in the jaws of your fly-tying vise. Position the hook so that the bend is held in the jaws with the shank on top and the hook and barb on the bottom.

2. Wrap the thread you are using around the shoulder of the jig head. Begin at the base of the lead head and work the thread down to the keeper point on the hook. Wrap the thread back up the shoulder to provide a good mounting point for the deer tail hairs.

3. Gather a clump of deer tail hairs and cut them free with a pair of scissors. Place the hairs on the shoulder of the jig head hook so the cut ends are flush with the base of the jig head. Secure them in place with two or three turns of thread. Space the hairs evenly around the hook and make several more turns with the thread.

4. Wrap the thread down to the bait point and back up. Repeat this process several times to create a body and secure the hairs to the hook. Finish the thread by tying two or three half-hitches and cut the thread with scissors. Trim any hairs that are extending past the wrapped thread near the lead head with scissors.

5. Apply a coat of clear nail polish to seal the threads and prevent them from coming undone.

References

• Striper Space: Lures for Striped Bass Fishing
• Crappie: How to Tie Bucktail Jigs
• I Will Knot: The Half-Hitch