Bodkin / Patterns

Bob's Banger

Topwater · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Jack · False Albacore · Snook · Tarpon · Advanced · 4 versions

Consensus of tightlinevideo, LIFliesMike (two videos), Brad Buzzi, Candyman Tackle, Martyn White

  • Hook long-shank saltwater or spinnerbait hook (Mustad 34011, Gamakatsu SP11-3L3H or Owner spinnerbait), 2/0-5/0
  • Thread white (tightlinevideo) 6/0 or 140 denier

Materials

  • Tail Bucktail (white in tightlinevideo), optional flash
  • Midsection Estaz, Cactus Chenille or crystal chenille
  • Head Foam cylinder cut to about half length, 1/2" to 3/4" diameter
  • Head covering Prismatic or foil tape
  • Eyes Stick-on or flat tape eyes
  • Adhesive Zap-A-Gap or super glue
  • Head Wapsi Foam Cylinder, 1/2-inch
  • Eyes Witchcraft Tape Flat Lure Eyes, 1/2-inch, prismatic silver
  • 5/8" Cylinder Foam Head

How to tie it

  1. Cover the hook shank with a thread base.
  2. Tie in a clump of bucktail at the rear of the shank as the tail, with the short and over-long hairs removed; add a drop of Zap-A-Gap over the wraps and butts.
  3. Optionally tie in flash with the tail.
  4. Tie in Estaz, Cactus Chenille or crystal chenille at the base of the tail, add a little glue, and wrap it forward in tight turns, leaving room at the front for the head.
  5. Tie off and cut the thread, leaving a good thread base for the popper head to grip.
  6. Cut the foam cylinder to about half length, make a centred hole with a dubbing needle or hot bodkin, and widen it with the heated tool.
  7. Wrap prismatic or foil tape around the foam cylinder and trim the excess.
  8. Stick on the eyes.
  9. Slide the head over the hook eye onto the shank; glue it for a permanent fit, or leave it unglued so heads can be swapped.

Other versions

3 more in the app: As tied by tightlinevideo, LIFliesMike, LIFliesMike (2) - bluefish tube Bob's Banger on a circle hook.

Tying videos

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