Bodkin / Patterns

Captain Crabby

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

Reference Recipe

  • Hook saltwater (e.g. TMC 811S), 2-4
  • Thread tan 6/0

Materials

  • Weight/eyes Nickel material (lead dumbbell)
  • Tail/claws Tan carapace (marabou + 4 cree hackle tips + pearl flash)
  • Eyes Black ostrich herl (burnt mono, 1 pair)
  • Carapace Tan carapace (Corsair tubing, epoxy-coated)
  • Legs Tan barred rubber legs medium (6 rubber legs, X-splayed)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and tie a pair of nickel lead eyes on top near the bend so the fly rides hook-point up.
  2. At the bend, tie in a tan marabou tail flanked by four cree hackle tips (two per side, splayed) and a few strands of pearl flash for the claws.
  3. Tie in a pair of burnt-mono eyes projecting out each side.
  4. Slide a section of tan Corsair tubing over the shank to form the carapace, bind it front and back, and color the top with a tan marker.
  5. Tie in three tan rubber legs on each side, splayed in an X across the body.
  6. Coat the Corsair body with epoxy or UV resin for a hard, flat crab shell, then whip finish.

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