Bodkin / Patterns

Big Eye Tarpon

Attractor · Tarpon · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

• Hook Saltwater tarpon hook, 1/0 to 3/0
• Thread Red 3/0 (210 denier)

Materials

• Tail Yellow and orange saddle hackles (4-6, splayed)
• Flash Gold/pearl flash (6-8 strands)
• Collar Orange and grizzly saddle hackle (2)
• Eyes Large stick-on or bead-chain, silver (1 pair)

How to tie it

1. Start red thread at the rear third of the shank, keeping the front two-thirds bare tarpon-style.
2. Bind in four to six splayed saddle hackles as a tail at the bend, flanked with a few strands of flash.
3. Tie in one orange and one grizzly saddle hackle by the tip just ahead of the tail.
4. Wind both hackles together two to three turns to form a full, flared collar and sweep the fibers rearward.
5. Set large eyes at the front of the collar with figure-8 wraps or as stick-ons on a thread head.
6. Build a neat red head, whip finish, and seal with UV resin.

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