A Bucktail question (Page 2): This is what I want to hear about the hula popper, but some parts of the buck tail are supposed to be hollow and therefore kind of buoyant, if it would...

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Bcmech1 wrote:

As most have already said, clear nail polish for the glue. You can use colored polish as well for different head appearances.
As far as buck tail for a hula popper, I would think that it would get too heavy when wet and sink the rear of the bait. This would make the lure behave unusually.

This is what I want to hear about the hula popper, but some parts of the buck tail are supposed to be hollow and therefore kind of buoyant, if it would sink the rear of the bait then wouldn’t that happen with a rear deer hair treble hook on say a pop r or other top water lure?

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Uncle_T wrote:

I am going to try tying some buck tail jigs ( sometime before spring) a friend gave me a tail that I had to cut and debone, I am wondering what kind of glue you would use on the finished thread, I don’t want to have to get any expensive or special fly tying glue, hoping that some nail polish or epoxy would do.
Also, another question is, has anyone ever tried tying buck tail as a skirt for a hula popper? Is that a good idea? Why and why not?

Striped kitty?

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

Uncle_T wrote:

This is what I want to hear about the hula popper, but some parts of the buck tail are supposed to be hollow and therefore kind of buoyant, if it would sink the rear of the bait then wouldn’t that happen with a rear deer hair treble hook on say a pop r or other top water lure?

A hula popper skirt is much larger than what would be tied on the rear hook of a prop bait, so probably not on the other lures.

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Bcmech1 wrote:

A hula popper skirt is much larger than what would be tied on the rear hook of a prop bait, so probably not on the other lures.

Yes I see

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Sport wrote:

Striped kitty?

Would probably be good but, I’m not going to be trying it any time soon, or later lol

E.pa.al Loc: Martin's Creek

I don't tie flies but I've repaired some lures just using super glue I had laying around...worked fine

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

E.pa.al wrote:

I don't tie flies but I've repaired some lures just using super glue I had laying around...worked fine

Super glue is good but in my experience with it you use it once and then like a tube of caulk or that spray foam insulating stuff it dries up and that’s it, used it once and finished

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Charlie H wrote:

Mepp’s calls them squirrel tails because they ARE squirrel tails. 😀
Mepp’s buys squirrel tails from the public.
If you decide to pour your own heads or want to paint lead heads, I’ve had great success with Powder Coat.

True enough. Powder coat works way better than paint.

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Flytier wrote:

True enough. Powder coat works way better than paint.

I know I could just do a search online but I’d rather ask the professionals here, how is powder coat used?

Wv mike Loc: Parkersburg area. Wv

I use powder coat
I hold my jig head by the hook with needle nose and heat the head with a propane torch and then dip the jig in the powder coating. The timing on how long to hold it in front of the torch takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it it works great and they are no need to bake it. When you dip it do it quickly and give the jig a little tap to remove access powder and hang it to cool.

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Uncle_T wrote:

Super glue is good but in my experience with it you use it once and then like a tube of caulk or that spray foam insulating stuff it dries up and that’s it, used it once and finished

Hi uncle T. My Ace Hardware sold an 8 pak of little thumbnail tubes. Almost no waste.

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Wv mike wrote:

I use powder coat
I hold my jig head by the hook with needle nose and heat the head with a propane torch and then dip the jig in the powder coating. The timing on how long to hold it in front of the torch takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it it works great and they are no need to bake it. When you dip it do it quickly and give the jig a little tap to remove access powder and hang it to cool.

Thank you for that Mike. I was dipping mine in vinyl jig paint. It comes loose pretty quick.

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Wv mike wrote:

I use powder coat
I hold my jig head by the hook with needle nose and heat the head with a propane torch and then dip the jig in the powder coating. The timing on how long to hold it in front of the torch takes a little practice but once you get the hang of it it works great and they are no need to bake it. When you dip it do it quickly and give the jig a little tap to remove access powder and hang it to cool.

Someone told me to make sure I use lure paint, powder coat sounds like the best, not sure what I’ll wind up using to start with, hoping to find jig heads already to go and just need to tie what I want on there

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Uncle_T wrote:

Someone told me to make sure I use lure paint, powder coat sounds like the best, not sure what I’ll wind up using to start with, hoping to find jig heads already to go and just need to tie what I want on there

Without paying a ridiculous price

Charlie H Loc: Greer, Arizona

I just hold the jig hook with pliars and heat the head over a stove burner. Heat guns should work great also. Dip the head in the order and shake off the excess. You just want a light dusting. The powder goes a long way.
After painting I bake in the oven hanging on an oven rack, but that may be overkill.
If you want to tie bucktail Hula poppers you may want to split the tail to resemble frogs legs…. Maybe tie a knot in the hair legs with thread to create a joint.
Bucktail is sort of brittle and will only take so much abuse.