Bodkin / Patterns

Bauer's Flats Crab

Crab · Permit · Redfish · Bonefish · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater flats hook, 1-4
  • Thread Tan 6/0 mono or flat waxed

Materials

  • Eyes Black ostrich herl (lead dumbbell (for fast sink))
  • Claws/legs Tan/orange rubber legs (square rubber legs)
  • Body Tan/olive carapace (sculpin wool, spun and trimmed)
  • Weedguard Clear weed guard (mono loop (optional))
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (a few strands on the underside)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the flats hook and lash a lead dumbbell under the shank near the eye so the fly rides point-up and sinks fast.
  2. At the bend, tie in two pairs of rubber legs splayed as claws and trailing legs, each about one shank length.
  3. Add a few strands of pearl flash on the underside so the belly glints on the drop.
  4. Spin bundles of sculpin wool along the shank, packing each tight, until the shank is full.
  5. Whip finish at the eye and remove the fly from the vise.
  6. Trim the spun wool to a flat, oval crab-carapace shape, leaving it slim so it sinks quickly.
  7. Set melted mono crab eyes into the wool with a drop of glue if desired for a finished profile.

Tying videos

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