ALL ABOUT BUCKTAILS IN THE SALT

Let’s see what Google has to say about Bucktails…. a state park in Pennsylvania near a high school that goes by the same name; a town in Arthur County, Nebraska, near a lake of the same name; the tail of a rivet; Pennsylvania's most famous Civil War unit formed in April 1861, when Thomas L. Kane raised a company of riflemen from the hardy woodsmen of McKean County; an artificial lure made of hairs like those from the tail of a deer- BINGO, we have a winner!

The Bucktail Jig is one of the most effective multifaceted, all-purpose, all-species lures ever invented. During WWII, our Navy included a bucktail jig and handline in the survival kits of

sailors and pilots. Contrary to all the technology and research that goes into new lures today, the bucktail is basic; a lead head with a hook and the hair of a dead animal- sometimes literally from the tail of a deer, but squirrel tail is also quite common.

Bucktail jigs can be fished many ways, in many different conditions; cast from shore, off jetties or dropped from a boat. They mimic a variety of baitfish when used in different profiles, and therefore is enticing to a wide variety of species. No doubt it is a lure that should be included in everyone’s surf bag in a wide range of shapes, colors and sizes.

As for styles and sizes, in the salt, smaller jigs are those from ¼ ounce to 1 ounce, and they are great in shallow water to imitate small bait like bay anchovies and peanut bunker. The difference in styles speaks to the necessary profile and color needed to “Match the Hatch”.  Larger bucktails are those weighing 1 to 3 ounces, and they work well in deeper water and fast-moving currents. They are great look-a-likes to wider profile baitfish like bunker or squid and are a favorite of striped bass and bluefish in the surf, as well as fluke, black bass and other offshore wreck dwellers.

The Bucktail can be fished “naked” but sometimes it pays to add something to make your jig look more appealing- a strip of Gulp, and curly-tailed trailer, an Otter Tail, one of Bernie Hoyt’s favorite Fat Cow strips or even some live bait or fresh bait chunks. Some anglers just chuck it on out there, but I find there should be a method to the madness.

Since it is a popular lure that has been around a very long time, there is a lot of research you can do to familiarize yourself with the different methods of using it. John Skinner, one of Long Island’s local Old Salts, has a great book and companion YouTube videos that focus solely on bucktails. Once you have done a little orientation, I find the best thing to do is try it out; put in the time and effort and figure out your own bucktail “style” of fishing. Determine for the conditions-

tides, current, weather, time of day, bait present and target species- if it is better to use a slow or medium speed retrieve; to bounce on the bottom or keep it high in the water column; what a thick tuft of hair does vs. a thin tuft; if it is white hair with a red split tail, chartreuse with a white tail or pink that is preferred?  By practicing these alternatives under different conditions, you are going to develop patterns that put you on fish.

Don’t hesitate to go to your local tackle shop, ask the local experts for guidance, pick up a few recommended jigs, Then just get out there and Live The Passion!

This article is reprinted with permission of Joe Pellegrini, long-time Long Island Beach Buggy Association member and its Director of Beach Courtesy Patrol. Joe is an avid surf angler, and his Tackle Tuesday blog series (See LIBBA FB page and web page) provides insights into all aspects of Surf Fishing. Thanks Joe!