Bucktails

[TunaCell]

When you guys tie your own bucktails for rear hooks on plugs, do you use a course thread, or a fine thread? or does it realy matter?

[capesams]

unwaxed dental floss

[justplugit]

3/0 Danvilles wrapped and then a coat of "Fishin Glue" or epoxy.
Kinda like the unwaxed dental floss idea.

[Jigman]

Rod builders thread, Size A. A dap of zap a gap glue in the threads, finish winding, then some head finish or epoxy.

Jigman

[afterhours]

what jigman said. works perfectly.

[TunaCell]

Thanks guys

[justplugit]

Originally posted by afterhours
what jigman said. works perfectly.

Always

[fishing bum wannabe]

I've been a fly tier for 40 years and the most important thing to increase the durability of your fly or bucktail is to saturate the thread and hair at the head with superglue. It is a trick I learned doing saltwater flies some 20+ years ago. Once the superglue sets up it doesn't make any difference what type of thread you are using. The bucktail isn't going to fall apart. After that you can use head cement, envirotex or whatever to make it shiny and pretty.

Thread size is irrelevent to the durability of the bucktail, but it takes a lot more wraps of small thread to build up the head than, for instance, rod wrapping thread. Go to your favorite fly material supplier and they will have heavy fly tying thread designed for large flies that lays flat, and makes a nice smooth wrap. Rod wrapping thread works OK, but is not as attractive. It does go on quickly and build up fast.

[Tagger]

i can puke better than i can tie ... I been using rod thread ..will try real fly thread .. thanks for the tip ..

[FlukinUki]

I have to agree with FBW. If you use superglue It wont fall apart. IMO rod wrapping thread is not attractive. Its hard to form a nice head, at least for me. Ive been tying some tails with 6lb mono and they seem to be holding together pretty good.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

i have been using red upolstery tread i think its a bonded nylon that is 11lb test. it is much cheaper than other threads, i think its a one lb spool.since i use west system epoxie quite often in my shop i coat the threads with that since there is usually some left over

[Jigman]

zap a gap is a type of super glue Get the stuff with the pink label on the bottle, it penitrates the threads better. I've never had any problems using the rod builders thread. Probably a matter of personal taste and what people are used to using. I use the stuff on jigs, so I've had plenty of practice with it. The good part is that it is pretty strong so you can torque down while tying when you need too. They also make some flat thread for this purpose, but I have not tried it yet.

Jigman

[FlukinUki]

If you want an ALMOST indestructable thread, look for Kevlar thread. The stuff is extremely strong. It is similar in size to braided line. I've used it to spin deer hair poppers. Might want to try it as well.

As has been said, thread is really a matter of presonal preference.

[NIB]

Danville makes this thread called Big Fly thread.works very nice.what jiggy says on the pink bottle be carefull with the stuff its faster than water.Thin thread will cut through the bucktail.or constantly Break PITA.the Fine Mono from Danville works good also.I like the kevlar but It comes in funny colors.if u use the CA type glues u have to seal it or it will turn white.regular head cement is fine.i got this stuff from Salty called hard as hull its like hard as nails nail polish. they both stink odor wise an make me ILL.but work well.i used to epoxy everything but its alot of work.

[TunaCell]

Thanks everyone, didn't think I would get that much good info.

[steelhead]

I use 6/0 Danville thread. Works fine. Nice tight heads so to speak.... I use a thinned clear Hard as Nails nail polish as a head cement on my flies and teasers. Penetrates just fine.