Changing it up, need to add bucktails
 

We all have our favorites and preconceived notions as we load the plug bag or reach into the tackle bin, as to what is going to be the sure fire lure for that outing. This off season's reading has lead me to the conclusion that I need to try, use, and get more confidence in the bucktail.... Guess I am just a slow learner.

So, what is your favorite bucktail, in what conditions, and which heads do you think are the right shape, weight, etc?

Thanks for your input

I use white JoeBaggs bucktails with a red pork rind at the Canal. Weight depends on the stage of the tide but if it's really humping on a new or full moon 4 and even 5oz.

White bucktails ben berry berry good to me over the ages.
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In the surf I usually throw ¾ to 1.5 oz bucktails depending on conditions. Jigging inlets/breachways 1.5 oz up to around 3oz. I usually go with a pork rind trailer, 70S I think is the size. For the most part I stick with white on both the bucktail and the pork, I’ve tried other colors (black, wine red, chartreuse etc…) but white seems to catch as well or better than others the majority of the time. I like the bullet style over the smiling bill. Joe Baggs bucktails are what I usually throw.

Where is the best place to buy them Paul?? Thanks.

You thinking from the surf or boat.......or both?

Need to explore both to find out what I am missing

I stick to white in 3/4-1.5 ounce. I only really fish them in rivers but I always seems to have a few in my bag all season. I use a white curly tail on mine instead of pork rind (laziness). I use JoeBaggs about 95% of the time.
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3/4-1.5oz for the surf, white or black

Instead of pork strip I use the otter tails, they never dry out and you don't even have to take em off when your done fishing
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I also use 3/4 to 1.5 mostly. Smillin Bill usually with long white curly tails but occasionally pork rind. White mostly but sometimes yellow and wine red.

I hit fish on cutty 2 years ago at a spot where people fished heavily for 2 nights previously and they didn't do that well. I had a decent time on bucktails until the tide turned.

I love bucktailing.

If you do not have John Skinners book on bucktailing......get it.

It really made a huge difference for me.

I like 1 -1.5oz white smiling bill bucktails with red pork rind for fishing the whitewater...

Andrus jetty casters or rip splitters in red black and white. Add pork green on white red on black and red. "Shallow" sweeping water. Just low enough to bump the occasional rock. Fished like a riggie. Weighted for location.
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I usually us 3/4, occasionally 1 oz. andrus jetty caster or blue frog. White. #50 pork in red/white or white. 10 ft light action rod (1201L) helps keep it up in shallow rocks.
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My favorite is the old south county secret weapon... A 1 ounce white with white pork under a casting egg.. Dropper leader length is about 2 feet. No egg? Use a popper and tie the leader to the tail.
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South side of cuttty screams for the egg at high tide.
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hey ross my father and I throw alot of bucktails all over our area and do quite well any were from 3/4 to maybe 1 1/2oz from the boat.

Highly recommend the bucktail books by skinner and doc muller
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I used Bucktails 99% of the time last year....the fish loved them. I used 1 oz white with a chartreuse curly tail grub (like 3 or 4"). Relatively cheap and cast a mile on light tackle. Heck, I didn't even have to jig them.....just cast and reel, the curly tail grub provided the action!!

We were fishing an area last year with a few other boats in the area....we were throwing bucktails and consistently catching. They were throwing plugs, spoons, and rubber......and we were the only ones catching. A few boats came up to us curious on what we were using. Bottom line, they work. And you don't need to be an expert.

Now if I could only make the ones I tie look as good as the ones I buy.....

Oh and the blues ravage them. After a couple bluefish, you can say bye-bye to the bucktail hair. But, save the lead head an hook, and try tying some up yourself. Unfortunately, I can't give you any tips there. I suck at tying bucktails.

I really like the Joe Baggs head design. Looks right to my eye. Just need to get a hold of him, as I am not a FB member. His soft plastic jig head is of interest to me as well.... Guess I better locate those bucktailing books too.
I might even try tying a few as well. Probably after locating said books

he is a member here on sb.

joebaggs99

I will pm you his email.

As for bucktail types. I kind of like Skinner's philosophy on them.
They all work but each may have conditions where one outshines
another. If you read his book, you will get the details.

I pretty much stick with joebaggs, andrus, and bluefrog. Each type
has attributes that I like and use them all. Bullet or split.

What I like most about Joebaggs is that they are sort of like an
andrus jettycaster but with a much bigger and beefier
hook...especially in the smaller weights. It makes releasing the fish
much easier and it can cull out the micro nibblers. I also like that he is
a local to MA....and a great guy.

His naked jig heads are the best I know of.

Bucktails
 

Wow, lotta great info as always, I was surprised at the wgt. that most used for the surf and jetties, now I know. Bucktails are a go to for me, I mostly river fish the upper Hudson spawn run in spring. Try a bunch out. I tie a lot of my own in crazy colors,size and length, but white is a go color for me. check out my jigs in my pics!

I wish joebaggs would make a smiling bill bucktail
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I use canal specials from M&D's in the 3&4oz. sizes. Use sloggos, savage bodies, or eel bodies with them.

Would someone care to post some pics of JB bucktails please.

google is your friend for these sorts of queries....

looking at the images of them....it reminds me of another thing I like
about them. They have a huge hookeye that makes it easier to use
with TA clips. Some smaller weight bucks (under 1 oz) on the other
brands have a tiny hookeye and often will be even smaller because
of the powdercoat/paint clog. Having a bigger hookeye translates
for a free-er motion....which equals good.




if you facebook...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joeba...57208321020661

http://www.saltwateredge.com/media/c...ails-white.jpg
saltwateredge has them....
http://www.saltwateredge.com/joebaggs-bucktails.html

a thread with all sorts of pics...
http://www.thehulltruth.com/fishing-...rly-tails.html

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the great reviews. If anyone has any questions please feel free to PM any time. Many pictures can be found by googling joebaggs bucktails or finding my page on FB called joebaggs bucktails. I mostly make bullet jigs but can make smiling bills if asked.
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I have zero faith in Bucktails!! its sad I know .. I have a few in the bag in case

But the spots I fish have lures already assigned based on past success

Bucktails catch no doubt but I don't see them any better than other tool in my fishing tool bag ..

With that being said if i didn't care what fish I caught.
a buck tail would be my 1st choice hands down

You dont always want them to sink, try stuffing the body of a grub tail right up to the collar, cut off the grub tail and add a pork trailer. Trying for that neutral bouyancy 😉
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I'll take a storm shad over a buck tail any time the current is under 3 knots
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