Tying light line to small jigs, I need glasses

[eriksat1]

My eyes started to go bad when I hit 45 now at 52 I have a real hard time tying 2 lb test line to a small jig even with my reading glasses. They are just the cheap ones from Wal-mart +2.25 Do they make some other type of super magnifying glasses? Or has anyone tried a higher magnification? The +2.25 are good for reading but not working with 2 lb mono and a tiny ice fishing jig. Specially when you are outside on the lake.

[Svengalli]

I've seen as high as 4.00 and if you search e-bay, etc I am sure you will find them.  You can also get portable jeweler's or watch repair ones too but the focal range is so limited you'd be tying the lure an 1/8" from your lashes.

Svengalli

[UP jigstick]

Yup, yup, yup! I have tried stronger bifocals and clip on magnifiers and the only thing that has worked is having my teenage son tie them on for me.   Four pound line is no problem, but that 2# is dang near impossible for me. Old age, old eyes and stiff fingers what a combination.

[Border Jumper]

I hear what you guys are saying, I am doing the bifocal thing now.

[Bellybuster]

story of my life....
there is in fy tying stuff a magnifyer that hangs around your neck, kina like a rectangle shape glass It is expensive bt works a charm

[PACKERBACKER]

That's why I switched Cajun Red line. Sometimes I use Stren Gold also. I still need the bifocals though.
packerbacker

[geothefisher]

I started using 2.5 power cheaters last year at age 44.  Hopefully they continue to work for a while.  I didn't realize how much I really need them until yesterday.  I forgot to put them in my pocket before we left, and wanted to change jigs.  After I clipped the jig off the 2# microthin line, I couldn't get the line through the jig.  I had to have my 14 year old do it for me. 

[greenhorn]

had the same problem. Just got regular glasses with bi-focal,and transition. The problem is with the snow down the transition lenses are very dark,so i still can't see to tie small jigs. It ok to get old,just the stuff that stops working is a pain in the ----

[sam heaton]

       If you have a Dollar Tree in your area you can take your jig & the line & get just what you need for $1. I carry a pair in my tackle bag in a cheap case.

[rgfixit]

Go see your eye doctor! You can make your prescription any way you want. They know how to do it in a way that works. I have an eye doctor who made me a reverse bifocal for working overhead at close distance as well as a special prescription for bow hunting so I could see the peep, pin and target...no small feat with my astigmatism.


RG

[soduswaternut]

I'll just toss this out for you as a flyfisherman and a hardwater freak. Go to a fly shop and find an eye treader, there designed to work with flies down to #24. Its a super fine wire that makes it simple to get your 8x tippet through a eye that seems nonexistent. They work great and it might make your "problem" seem like nothing

Tight Lines,
Steve

[shark]

 50 and had same problem for some time now , I found when I switched to 20 pound test it was a lot easier

[vexaholic]

Just turned 47 today and have had the jig tying problem for the past 2 years now. Sucks to get old!!

[boulderdash]

Im 45 and am having the same troubles ,has anyone used the glasses that clip under the bill of a ball cap . i have seen them in fly shops and was thinking i might get a pair.

[ice magician]

just tie snap clips at the end of your lines so u dont have to tie.

[walleye tattoo]

What packerbacker said. Me to Cajun red ice and stren eight pound braid yellow then down to two pound yellow stren ice line.

[Shawgill]

 

  A threader is the ticket.

[UP jigstick]

Im 45 and am having the same troubles ,has anyone used the glasses that clip under the bill of a ball cap . i have seen them in fly shops and was thinking i might get a pair.

I've tried those and it did not work for me. Could be just me though.

I use the snaps for vertical jigs but they do not work as well for horizontal jigs. I've found you need a knot tied to the eye to get a horizontal jig to hang correctly.

Those threaders work great, I swiped one from the wife's sewing stuff. The problem comes when trying to tie the knot when you can't see and can barely feel the line.

[Gillgrabber]

Just turned 47 today and have had the jig tying problem for the past 2 years now. Sucks to get old!!

Happy Birthday!

[kettlesfisher]

I have to agree with rgfixit- you should see your eye doctor.  Of course I am a little biased since I am an eye doctor.  It would work best for you to have an examination to see what your specific rx needs to be (based on age, distance prescription, and working distance).  As long as your eyes are fairly equal in power, most doctors could recommend the "dimestore" readers that are appropriate for you-except the ones that are only interested in selling you a pair of glasses.

[bearbgone]

Same here.....  I even have trouble properly hooking the small crappie minnows on my jigs.

[fin-n-feather]

I know what all of you guys are saying. That's why I usually bring 4-5 rods so I don't have to tie unless absolutely necessary. Fin

[Panfish Popper]

My eyes started to go bad when I hit 45 now at 52 I have a real hard time tying 2 lb test line to a small jig even with my reading glasses. They are just the cheap ones from Wal-mart +2.25 Do they make some other type of super magnifying glasses? Or has anyone tried a higher magnification? The +2.25 are good for reading but not working with 2 lb mono and a tiny ice fishing jig. Specially when you are outside on the lake.

  Try the CLAM line, it is a very hi visible yellow line. works good

[jimyoumook]

a 50 cent needle threader from your local doller store works great for those

[wilenard]

45 years old seems to be the age of hook tying difficulty! That is where I am at and my wife laughs at me when I re-tie my jigs while on the couch at night. Have not tried the cheap magnifying glasses yet but I am sure I will if I want to continue fishing!!

[bearbgone]

What do you guys think the easiest and most dependable knot would be for us guys that have trouble seeing. I'm talking about a knot for tying onto a small jig.

[Tailchaser]

Even with glasses it's gets worse. I'm going to be 66 this year & I use my fly tying mag. lite a lot more. I tie flies & have the mag. lite fastened to my table. I also tie leaders, etc with this lite. I'm also using more & more Hi-Vis lines for everything. Mono & braids. I've been using Hi-Vis yellow Stren for over 40 years. Ice fishing & open water. Good luck guys, Don

[howesfc]

I use a cheap pair of cheaters over my normal eye glasses to tie small jigs on.

[slipperybob]

What do you guys think the easiest and most dependable knot would be for us guys that have trouble seeing. I'm talking about a knot for tying onto a small jig.

Sometimes a lot of practice tying one type of knot.   I can tie the trilene knot practically blind folded.  Threading the line through the eye is the hardest part to do.