Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: KarateKick on September 29, 2016, 01:23:52 PM

Title: Marabou substitute
Post by: KarateKick on September 29, 2016, 01:23:52 PM
Has anyone tried dressing jig heads with something less expensive than marabou?  Are there certain types of yarn that you've found effective as a marabou substitute?


Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: Fish or cut bait. on September 29, 2016, 01:36:11 PM
Saddle, but I have to check.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: RalphH on September 29, 2016, 02:36:14 PM
Marabou is expensive? Well I won't suggest Rhea then.

Rabbit fur strips are a common sub for marabou but I don't think it's less expensive. A number of similar furs have the same effect.

Be sure any natural marabou etc bought at a craft store is coloured with water fast dye. Craft fur (it's actually plastic) comes in a variety of colours and will work as well.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: CohoJake on September 29, 2016, 02:39:58 PM
Check second-hand stores for feather boas.  My daughter has a couple in green, pink and purple that will be looking a little thinner next year.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: fic on September 29, 2016, 03:07:37 PM
Where did you buy your marabou and how much did you pay?  I find it cost less than the gas I pay to drive to the tackle store and back.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: Knnn on September 29, 2016, 05:38:10 PM
Yup, Schlappen and/or plain old wool, multiple strands of pink/purple, red/black, chartreuse/black and white/pink wool.  If you can ad in some flash all the better.  Even a thumb sized piece of pink and purple wool on a 1/0 will work for non discriminating fish like chum.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: typhoon on September 29, 2016, 07:07:04 PM
Marabou is basically free. Turkey leg feathers.
The hardest part is finding quality feathers in any batch from any manufacturer.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: KarateKick on September 29, 2016, 07:30:05 PM
Where did you buy your marabou and how much did you pay?  I find it cost less than the gas I pay to drive to the tackle store and back.

I am a cheapskate.  :P

Raising a disabled kid uses up all disposable income.  We improvise as much as possible.   :)

Yup, Schlappen and/or plain old wool, multiple strands of pink/purple, red/black, chartreuse/black and white/pink wool.  If you can ad in some flash all the better.  Even a thumb sized piece of pink and purple wool on a 1/0 will work for non discriminating fish like chum.

Thank you so much!  I am going to try some wool and glitter thread from the dollar store.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: clarkii on September 30, 2016, 07:50:15 AM
Marabou, the cheapest feather used for fly tying and someone called it expensive...
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: Knnn on September 30, 2016, 09:48:44 AM

Raising a disabled kid uses up all disposable income.  We improvise as much as possible.

Would your disabled child be able to access the Stave River.  Your glitter/wool jigs will kill for chum in about 2-3 weeks time. 

If you would like me to show you where or even help you let him experience the Chum fishery on the river, please let me know.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: milo on September 30, 2016, 11:46:13 AM
Marabou pulsates when moving through the water column in a manner you cannot replicate with wool. Stick to marabou for jigs.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: KarateKick on September 30, 2016, 12:35:32 PM
Would your disabled child be able to access the Stave River.  Your glitter/wool jigs will kill for chum in about 2-3 weeks time. 

If you would like me to show you where or even help you let him experience the Chum fishery on the river, please let me know.

That would be wonderful!
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: KarateKick on September 30, 2016, 12:36:13 PM
Marabou pulsates when moving through the water column in a manner you cannot replicate with wool. Stick to marabou for jigs.

That's good to know.  Thank you so much!

Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: RalphH on September 30, 2016, 06:19:37 PM
Marabou pulsates when moving through the water column in a manner you cannot replicate with wool. Stick to marabou for jigs.

fox & craft fur is similar. Fox is much more expensive and I don't think craft fur is any cheaper. Rabbit strips also has the same pulsation. Feathers, particularly webby stuff like hen, schlappen and lower grade necks and saddle can be tied 'back to back' so the two splay out and these will pulse when retrieved.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: Knnn on October 01, 2016, 10:00:31 PM
That's good to know.  Thank you so much!

Just sent you a PM.
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: scouterjames on October 08, 2016, 04:16:42 PM
Check second-hand stores for feather boas.  My daughter has a couple in green, pink and purple that will be looking a little thinner next year.

yup - I've used feather boas... not QUITE the quality of more expensive tying materials, you have to pick through it, but worked fine for me!  Also dollar stores have bags of feathers, some work well but you have to pick the right store when they have the right supply.... higher 'garbage can' rate than fishing supply materials too....
Title: Re: Marabou substitute
Post by: prairiefire on October 13, 2016, 12:01:43 PM
Marabou is the cheapest material I've found. Rabbit out lasts it though. That's all I use now on my jigs. Especially if you're chummin it up at the Stave.