The Foundation of Custom Jig, Spinnerbait, and Skirted Lure Construction

8801 Standard Silicone Skirt Tabs are the most widely used and universally recognized skirt material in modern bass fishing lure construction. If you have ever built, modified, or purchased a jig, spinnerbait, buzzbait, or swim jig, there is a high likelihood that 8801 silicone was used in the skirt.

This series represents the baseline material standard from which most other skirt styles are derived, layered, or modified.

What Are 8801 Standard Silicone Skirt Tabs?

8801 tabs are uniform-cut, straight-strand silicone skirt tabs designed for predictable movement, consistent color presentation, and long-term durability. Unlike specialty tabs that introduce patterning, segmentation, or optical effects, the 8801 series focuses on structural consistency and controlled motion.

Because of this, 8801 tabs are used both as:

• A complete skirt material on their own, and
• A foundational layer in more complex skirt builds

Construction Specifications (Industry Standard)

8801 Standard Silicone Skirt Tabs follow a consistent manufacturing profile relied on across the fishing-tackle industry.

Overall Length: 5.7 inches (145 mm)

Tab Width: ~5/8 inch (15.4 mm)

Strand Count: 22 strands per tab

Strand Width: ~0.7 mm

Material: Fishing-grade elastic silicone

This construction produces a balanced skirt that maintains shape while allowing natural expansion and collapse during the fall and retrieve.

Why 8801 Tabs Are Used So Widely

Predictable Action on the Fall and at Rest

The uniform strand geometry of 8801 tabs creates a controlled flare as the lure falls, followed by a slow, natural collapse when the lure settles. This behavior is particularly effective when bass are closely inspecting a bait rather than reacting aggressively.

This characteristic makes 8801 tabs well-suited for:

• Cold-water presentations
• High-pressure fisheries
• Bottom-contact jig fishing
• Slow or paused retrieves

Stable Color Presentation

Because 8801 tabs lack internal patterning or segmentation, color remains consistent across the entire skirt. This allows lure builders to precisely match forage tones and repeat successful color combinations with minimal variation.

8801 tabs are available in:

• Solid colors
• Flake-infused colors
• Multi-flake blends

This makes them an essential material for both custom builders and production manufacturing.

Structural Control and Skirt Balance

8801 tabs are commonly used to control:

• Overall skirt bulk
• Flare radius
• Silhouette density

In multi-tab skirts, 8801 silicone often establishes the base profile while other tab styles add accent or effect. In minimal builds, 8801 tabs are frequently used alone to maintain a tight, compact presentation.

Common Applications for 8801 Standard Silicone Tabs

8801 tabs are used across nearly every skirted lure category, including:

• Casting jigs
• Football jigs
• Swim jigs
• Finesse jigs
• Spinnerbaits
• Buzzbaits
• Bladed jigs

They are compatible with hand-tied skirts, banded skirts, and large-scale production assembly.

When to Choose 8801 Tabs Over Specialty Tabs

8801 Standard Silicone Skirt Tabs are often selected when:

• A subtle, natural presentation is needed
• Bass are pressured or inactive
• Water clarity is high
• The lure will be fished slowly or allowed to pause
• Consistency and repeatability are priorities

In these scenarios, reduced visual noise and controlled movement can produce more reliable strikes than high-flash or heavily patterned materials.

8801 Tabs and Bass Vision Considerations

From a visual-perception standpoint, 8801 tabs provide clean silhouettes and stable contrast without relying on reflective or color-shifting effects. This makes them effective when bass are close enough to evaluate a lure before committing, especially in clear water or high-light environments.

Who Uses 8801 Standard Silicone Skirt Tabs?

• Custom jig builders
• DIY anglers
• Tackle manufacturers
• Retailers assembling private-label skirts
• Anglers learning jig construction

Any workflow involving skirted fishing lures relies on standard silicone at some level.

Summary: Why 8801 Is the Industry Baseline

8801 Standard Silicone Skirt Tabs provide the structural and visual foundation of modern skirted lure design. Their controlled movement, consistent color behavior, and versatility make them indispensable across nearly all jig-building applications.

Understanding 8801 tabs is fundamental to understanding how fishing lure skirts are designed, tuned, and refined.