Bodkin / Patterns

Bulkhead Deceiver

Baitfish · Striped Bass · Bluefish · False Albacore · Jack · Tarpon · Snook · Cobia · Barracuda · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater, 2/0-6/0
  • Thread White 210D 210D

Materials

  • Tail Saddle hackles + bucktail (deceiver-style)
  • Body Bucktail stations (flowing)
  • Head Reverse-tied bucktail pushed back into a bulk head (water-pushing)
  • Eyes 3D eyes (1 pair)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the saltwater hook and start white 210D thread near the bend.
  2. Tie in 4-6 saddle hackles paired back-to-back as the Deceiver tail, then add a collar of bucktail around the shank to keep the saddles from fouling.
  3. Work forward tying in successive stations of bucktail (top and bottom) to build a flowing body.
  4. At the front, tie in a heavy clump of bucktail pointing forward over the eye, then fold it back over a thread dam and lock it down. This reverse-tied, water-pushing collar is the Popovics bulkhead.
  5. Repeat the reverse-tie if needed to build bulk, then glue 3D eyes into the pocket behind the head.
  6. Whip finish, and coat the head with resin or cement.

Tying videos

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