Re-Tieing Ilanders

[O-SEA-D]

I had someone ask me how to re-tie an Iland lure.

Some of you may do this....some may not.

Some may know how to do it....and some may not.

Personally, I have a hard time finding an Ilander just the way I want it. So, I buy the cheapest ugliest one in the store, take it home and cut the hair off. Then I can make it the way I want.

Sometimes you have a favorite Ilander that you use. Well when your fishing with THE BEAST, they get tore up pretty quick. So, all you have to do is cut it apart and tie your hair back on and you have your favorite lure back in business.

Really, its more or less just like tieing a sea witch head.

The hardest part to me is getting their ring off that is pressed into place to hold the hair.

Sometimes I use a big set of dykes. Sometimes I use a grinder or dremel and cut it off. Today I decided to cut it off with my grinder.

Some of the Ilanders have plastic rings holding the hair on. These are pretty easy to get off. Most of the time the colored heads have a plastic ring holding the hair on. (1st pic)

Some of the Ilanders have a plastic ring that has a copper outside plated with chrome. They are a little harder to get off. These rings are found on the Chrome head Ilanders. (2nd pic)

First step is remove the ring holding the hair in place. (3rd pic)

Then, removed the thread they use to wrap the hair and hold it in place. Once you have that done the hair will fall off. (4th pic)

Now your ready to tie on your new hair. Tie it on just like a normal sea witch.

1 important thing to remember is when you make your wraps with your thread, waxed thread, mono or whatever you like to use.....Make sure you wrap it tight and up to the bottom of the outer shell of the head. Examples are the 5th-7th pic.

What is outer shell?
Look at picture 4, the bottom of the outter shell is where the chroms stops.

Why? Because that tight and high wrap up against the head shell will give your hair a nice flair. You want it to have a nice rounded flair shape to it. It should look similar to the 8th and 9th pic.

If you like to add mylar or flashabou to your head...double sided tape works very well. Its almost like scotch tape, but its about 1/8" wide and is sticky on both sides. Makes it easy to deal with and then you don't have to hold the mylar and the hair at the same time.

What I do is cut a piece of the double sided lure tape and peel 1 side off. I lay the exposed side up on the table. I cut my mylar and lay it on the tape.
Once I have the amount I am going to use on the tape, I peel the other side off and I stick that around the head of the lure.
Now the mylar is stuck in place...So, all you have to worry about holding in place is your hair.

You can re-tie:
Ilander
Iland Jr.
Tracker
Sea Star
Mistress
Pro
Express

There may be a couple others that can be re-tied as well.

I do know that the Sailure can not be retied. I have tried to get them apart in the past. When they tie the hair on the insert that plastic center into the plastic outer head and its glued. I tried heating it up to remove it, but it just messed up the outer head.

Hope this helps and made some sense.

[gradywhite273]

Damn, that is cool, i thought they were just done and deep six them,

thanks for sharing this o sea d Outstanding stuff. now where can you get the hair to re tie these things, i got a couple of green ones im already cutting up,

[Stormtrooper]

If you like the mylar bling check out Bluewater Candy JAGS and mini JAGS.Jody makes some killer stuff.

[clt_capt]

Damn, that is cool, i thought they were just done and deep six them,

thanks for sharing this o sea d Outstanding stuff. now where can you get the hair to re tie these things, i got a couple of green ones im already cutting up,

I usually pick mine up at Joe Shute's in Atlantic Beach when I'm in Morehead - but you can order it here - http://www.snlcorp.com/Webpages/nylonhair.htm

For those of you around Richmond Va, there is a place called Greentop that carries quite a selection.

If you are in Wilmington NC - Bug 'em Bait carries it as well


Thanks John for another great post.

I don't get up North enough to know the tackle shops up there

[babalaza]

awesome post! time for me to get some fun now

[hunt4fish]

Great info John! I think you need a few more lures I don't think you're quiet a TACKLE HO yet seeing that small selection of lures in your pic.and I noticed a couple Iland Pros in there also!!

[O-SEA-D]

Great info John! I think you need a few more lures I don't think you're quiet a TACKLE HO yet seeing that small selection of lures in your pic.and I noticed a couple Iland Pros in there also!!

LOL, you should see what's hanging up on the peg board.

Jody from Bluewater candy makes awesome lures. His stuff is beautiful and it catches fish for sure.

I have bought hair from Joe Shutes.

I have also bought hair from Bailey at Capt Lookout Lures.

I have most of the Iland lure colors of hair as well. Very very hard to get.

Not to mention every other color ever made from other company's.

Bailey has some of the best crystal I have ever seen too.

[Dink Bait]

John not quite a tackle HO yet?
You have got to be kidding me.

If John does not two of them (whatever it is) then they do not
make it. If he does not have at least one of every color then it
likely does not catch fish.

And yes John the pot is calling the kettle black here. BTW John's
recycled Island lures look as good and most of the time better than
the originals.

Great post John. Way to share the knowlege brother.

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

Whale bone tackle nags head hair and heads cheap to.

[clt_capt]

Great info John! I think you need a few more lures I don't think you're quiet a TACKLE HO yet seeing that small selection of lures in your pic.and I noticed a couple Iland Pros in there also!!

I don't think you understand... Fishing is just like prostitution - First you do it for fun, then you do it for friends, then you do it for money.

John ain't a HO - he's a PRO

Damn - Now I'm gonna have to re-tie a bunch of old stuff rather than buying new...