Hi Microfish,
I build hundreds of jigs in many styles and sizes for customers and I have found that a good acrylic latex works just about as good as any. Once I have dipped the jigs into the paint and have let them dry for at least 24 hrs, I do dip my own jigs into a jar of spar varnish. It puts a hard coat finish on you jigs. Even though this process is a little more time consuming, the results come out great. Good luck tying.