Bucktails

[BoatGuy]

For fluke I have been using (most of the time) SPRO bucktails. When I snap jig, I tend to use round head bucktails like Premium Bucktails made by John Paduano.

Having seen seminars by Bill “Doc” Muller, he always recommended bucktails with “any color you wanted, as long as it was white”. He also did not like fixed hook bucktails and recommended swing hook bucktails.

Dark Matter John Skinner Swing Hook Fluke Bucktails have the attachment further forward than SPRO.

Some are made with Bucktail, some are rubber-skirted, some have feathers added.

My assumption is that the type of bucktails is less important than WHERE it is used, meaning a spot where there are fish. Also the way it is retrieved, like John Skinner retrieve or Snap jig.

What do you look for when you purchase (or make) bucktail?

 

[longcast]

For fluke I have been using (most of the time) SPRO bucktails. When I snap jig, I tend to use round head bucktails like Premium Bucktails made by John Paduano.

Having seen seminars by Bill “Doc” Muller, he always recommended bucktails with “any color you wanted, as long as it was white”. He also did not like fixed hook bucktails and recommended swing hook bucktails.

Dark Matter John Skinner Swing Hook Fluke Bucktails have the attachment further forward than SPRO.

Some are made with Bucktail, some are rubber-skirted, some have feathers added.

My assumption is that the type of bucktails is less important than WHERE it is used, meaning a spot where there are fish. Also the way it is retrieved, like John Skinner retrieve or Snap jig.

What do you look for when you purchase (or make) bucktail?

Well made with a strong hook.

The rest is CONFIDENCE in your own presentation.

 

[Roccus7]

For fluke I have been using (most of the time) SPRO bucktails. When I snap jig, I tend to use round head bucktails like Premium Bucktails made by John Paduano.

Having seen seminars by Bill “Doc” Muller, he always recommended bucktails with “any color you wanted, as long as it was white”. He also did not like fixed hook bucktails and recommended swing hook bucktails.

Dark Matter John Skinner Swing Hook Fluke Bucktails have the attachment further forward than SPRO.

Some are made with Bucktail, some are rubber-skirted, some have feathers added.

My assumption is that the type of bucktails is less important than WHERE it is used, meaning a spot where there are fish. Also the way it is retrieved, like John Skinner retrieve or Snap jig.

What do you look for when you purchase (or make) bucktail?

Robert Skinner's (John's older and more experienced brother) Custom Made Bucktails of multiple types and colors. He knows when, where and how to use them. I've even used them in the Bahamas for Nassau Grouper and Barracuda...

@captmike28 will attest to their magnificence...

 

[Leprechaun]

For fluke? Look no further - if you want to build your own:

Thread 'Building "Bucktail" Jigs - Lep Style'

Jan 12, 2019

So, its like 25 degrees out, I’ve already checked inside the boat, under the shrink-wrap - more than once today - gotta make sure the bilge-mounted 60W light bulbs are all lit and doing their jobs keeping thr temp up down in there. Turned the dehumidifier off, what with the water in the bucket forming a giant ice cube. No point in running that thing ‘til it gets above freezing. I AM a little obsessive about my "baby." Well, more than a "little" obsessive, I guess. Having it parked 6 feet from my house is the "great enabler" of my deeply-ingrained boat neurosis. I'll say this: as senior as...

• Leprechaun
• Replies: 24
• Forum: Inshore Tackle and Techniques with Lep

• 

 

[captmike28]

Robert Skinner's (John's older and more experienced brother) Custom Made Bucktails of multiple types and colors. He knows when, where and how to use them. I've even used them in the Bahamas for Nassau Grouper and Barracuda...

@captmike28 will attest to their magnificence...

Both Roccus and Longcast make excellent points.

Although I have fished with many different style bucktails over the years, when it comes to those specifically built for Striped Bass fishing, I must say Robert Skinners personal creations are among the best I have ever seen or fished with. Extremely strong, sharp hooks, amazingly generous amounts of real deer hair dressing plus an added feather down the middle make these lures world class. Plus, he had some rather special lead heads in addition to the traditional smiling bill style that were constructed for really nuanced presentation during tougher fishing conditions that give the experienced angler an edge.
I would like to think I am pretty darn good at nailing Bass on 3-way bucktail rigs in the Gut and the Race but watching Robert on one of my charters a few years ago was quite the show. He knew exactly at what stage of the tide to shift the actual bucktail and presentation to ensure he was hooking up on every single drift! I know the original question posed concerned Fluke bucktails but I have no doubt these Robert Skinner specials can be just as deadly on Fluke in the right hands. Of course, these very special lures are not for sale anywhere as Robert left LI for parts south. Before he moved, I made sure to purchase as much of his remaining inventory as I could afford. Also, he very generously donated many of his creations to my efforts as well.

Now, to Longcast's point about confidence. I agree that no matter what lure you are working if you believe it will be effective then you are more likely to put extra effort into presenting it just right. So, a big part of success in the fishing game is in the head of the angler as well. Knowing how to properly work a lure is certainly critical, but really believing it will catch you fish in any given situation is often more than half the battle.

 

[Roccus7]

Robert Skinner specials can be just as deadly on Fluke in the right hands

True 'dat, and he has a multitude of jigs specifically designed for Fluke, Weakfish, BSB, etc...

 

[hartattack]

How to turn your 2 oz jig into a 4 oz jig.... cost effective and works great, not kidding !!

 

[longcast]

How to turn your 2 oz jig into a 4 oz jig.... cost effective and works great, not kidding !!

Very creative!! And cost effective. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Leprechaun]

And the knocking of the egg sinker against the bucktail might be an added attractant. Sounds like a sand crab snapping its claws.

 

[captmike28]

True 'dat, and he has a multitude of jigs specifically designed for Fluke, Weakfish, BSB, etc...

Damn, I was so excited about buying up Bob's Bass bucktails, I didn't even think to ask him about other species-specific jigs he made as well.

Looks like I will have to dig out his phone number and hope he still has some of those left!

 

[MakoMatt]

Any photos of Robert’s bucktails?

 

[BoatGuy]

species-specific Buctails

 

[captmike28]

Any photos of Robert’s bucktails?

Have patience, Matt. I will take a few shots and post them tomorrow.

 

[MakoMatt]

Have patience, Matt. I will take a few shots and post them tomorrow.

Thanks Captain, looking forward to seeing them!!

 

[captmike28]

Thanks Captain, looking forward to seeing them!!

OK, Matt, here you go.
Any serous Striped Bass fisherman that sees these bucktails and doesn't get excited ought to think about picking up a golf club!!

Top photo is a traditional Smilin' Bill 1.5oz. lead head with 8/0 duratin 2X strong hook

Next photo is a mold he called "diablo" with similar open mouth but protruding eyes that made them look "evil"! It's hard to notice in the picture but the one in the foreground is also 1.5 oz. while the one behind is 1.25 oz.

Last photo is a great example of his creativity. Front jig is a 1.5 oz. Smilin' Bill but with a short bead chain attached to the hook carrying a spoon. The one behind that is a 1.25 oz. "banana " shaped head also with a spoon but mounted on a separate eye on the underside of the lead head. He touted that shape and size as very effective during light stages of the tide and on 1/4 phase moons. Made the "bananas" with and without the spoon too.

Although the spoon variations would often catch a few more Bluefish, even an avid Bass angler like Bob still likes to battle a Blue on occasion!

 

[Chinacat]

OK, Matt, here you go.
Any serous Striped Bass fisherman that sees these bucktails and doesn't get excited ought to think about picking up a golf club!!

Top photo is a traditional Smilin' Bill 1.5oz. lead head with 8/0 duratin 2X strong hook

Next photo is a mold he called "diablo" with similar open mouth but protruding eyes that made them look "evil"! It's hard to notice in the picture but the one in the foreground is also 1.5 oz. while the one behind is 1.25 oz.

Last photo is a great example of his creativity. Front jig is a 1.5 oz. Smilin' Bill but with a short bead chain attached to the hook carrying a spoon. The one behind that is a 1.25 oz. "banana " shaped head also with a spoon but mounted on a separate eye on the underside of the lead head. He touted that shape and size as very effective during light stages of the tide and on 1/4 phase moons. Made the "bananas" with and without the spoon too.

Although the spoon variations would often catch a few more Bluefish, even an avid Bass angler like Bob still likes to battle a Blue on occasion!

View attachment 114161View attachment 114162View attachment 114163

Beauties!
Pretty sure I caught a fish or 2 on them last spring???
At least now I hope I did

 

[MakoMatt]

OK, Matt, here you go.
Any serous Striped Bass fisherman that sees these bucktails and doesn't get excited ought to think about picking up a golf club!!

Top photo is a traditional Smilin' Bill 1.5oz. lead head with 8/0 duratin 2X strong hook

Next photo is a mold he called "diablo" with similar open mouth but protruding eyes that made them look "evil"! It's hard to notice in the picture but the one in the foreground is also 1.5 oz. while the one behind is 1.25 oz.

Last photo is a great example of his creativity. Front jig is a 1.5 oz. Smilin' Bill but with a short bead chain attached to the hook carrying a spoon. The one behind that is a 1.25 oz. "banana " shaped head also with a spoon but mounted on a separate eye on the underside of the lead head. He touted that shape and size as very effective during light stages of the tide and on 1/4 phase moons. Made the "bananas" with and without the spoon too.

Although the spoon variations would often catch a few more Bluefish, even an avid Bass angler like Bob still likes to battle a Blue on occasion!

View attachment 114161View attachment 114162View attachment 114163

Thanks Captain, very nice. I assume those pictured rigged with the 3-ways you use in the race? With some serious lead?

I have some with the open mouth smiling heads, but I didn’t get them from Robert. And mine are not nearly as well dressed with the dear hair, feathers, & spoons. I don’t have nor recall ever seeing the banana heads. Interesting.

Were these designs available only through him, or could you back then buy his jigs at some local B&T’s.

 

[captmike28]

Beauties!
Pretty sure I caught a fish or 2 on them last spring???
At least now I hope I did

Yes you did, my friend!

 

[captmike28]

Thanks Captain, very nice. I assume those pictured rigged with the 3-ways you use in the race? With some serious lead?

I have some with the open mouth smiling heads, but I didn’t get them from Robert. And mine are not nearly as well dressed with the dear hair, feathers, & spoons. I don’t have nor recall ever seeing the banana heads. Interesting.

Were these designs available only through him, or could you back then buy his jigs at some local B&T’s.

You are correct, Matt. Those are rigged with 3-way swivels for use in the swift, deep waters of The Race and Plum Gut. I have one different point of view compared to Bob on this rig. Personally, I like to use only black 3-way swivels to ward off as many Blues as possible. But the bucktails he supplied to me all came pre rigged and they still work just fine.

Most of the time I am swinging lead ranging from 8-16 oz. But there are always exceptions. On some very slow stages of the tide I might use as little as 5 oz. and on a screaming new moon ebb it can be tough to stay in the strike zone with 20 oz. Frankly, I don't like fishing with that much lead and in most cases once I have to go beyond 12-14 oz. I am looking for someplace else to fish.

As far as availability those are some very special creations made by Bob himself. Before he relocated south a few years ago, I know he was selling to a handful of North Fork charter boats. But that is all in the past now. I am really glad I stashed away a healthy quantity while I had the chance.

As far as the banana heads go that particular style seems to be quite rare. Personally, i had never seen these before. Many modern Tog jigs are labeled as banana style, but they look very different as compared to these. Perhaps there is someone else on the board who has access to or knows of a specialty mold maker that still produces a product like this