Bodkin / Patterns

Crimp Merkin

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

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Standard saltwater, straight-eye (TMC 811S), 1/0-4
  • Thread Tan Flat waxed nylon

Materials

  • Eyes Lead (Plated dumbbell (on top, rides point-up))
  • Pincers Ginger/cree pincers (Two splayed hackle tips)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (Few strands Flashabou)
  • Body Tan carapace (Craft yarn / crimped fiber, tied square)
  • Legs Barred/white rubber legs (Rubber legs, tips colored red)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and lash the lead dumbbell eyes near the eye on top of the shank so the crab rides point-up and lands hook-up on the bottom.
  2. At the bend tie in two splayed ginger hackle tips as pincers with a few strands of pearl flash between them.
  3. Tie a set of rubber legs figure-8 across the midpoint of the shank, tips colored red.
  4. Tie in segments of craft yarn square (perpendicular) to the shank, working forward and packing them tight to the eyes.
  5. Whip finish behind the hook eye.
  6. Trim the yarn body flat into a teardrop/wedge shape so it sinks level and crab-like.

Tying videos

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