Bodkin / Patterns

Bigeye Baitfish

Baitfish · Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore · Jack · Tuna · Mahi · Cobia · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater streamer hook, stainless, 1/0-2
  • Thread White GSP 100 or 3/0 mono

Materials

  • Tail/Body White over gray or chartreuse (bucktail plus a few strands flash)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (6-8 strands Flashabou)
  • Head/Body White and gray material (flat braid or EP fibers, brushed)
  • Eyes Silver/black, oversized (1 pair 3D stick-on eyes)
  • Coating Clear head cement (UV resin over the head)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and start thread at the 30% point ahead of the bend.
  2. Tie in a sparse white bucktail tail about two shank lengths long, add a gray topping clump, and mix in pearl flash slightly shorter.
  3. Build the body forward with brushed synthetic fibers or flat braid, white on the belly and gray on the back, keeping it slim.
  4. Wrap and pack the fibers to a broad shoulder behind the eye, then whip finish.
  5. Press oversized 3D eyes onto each side of the head so they sit prominent and forward. The outsized eye is the trigger.
  6. Lock everything with a thin coat of UV resin over the head and eyes, then cure.
  7. Brush and trim the body to a tapered baitfish profile.

Tying videos

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