Bodkin / Patterns

Crystal Popper

Topwater · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Jack · Snook · Redfish · False Albacore · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Stainless saltwater popper/streamer hook, 1/0-4
  • Thread Clear mono / white flat waxed

Materials

  • Popper head White/chartreuse foam or hard cell (1 preformed head)
  • Tail White bucktail (1 sparse bunch)
  • Flash Pearl/chartreuse Flashabou (8-10 strands)
  • Collar Grizzly or chartreuse saddle (2-4 feathers)

How to tie it

  1. Mount the hook and lay a thread base over the back half of the shank.
  2. Tie in a sparse white bucktail tail about one and a half shank lengths long. Keep it thin so it breathes and doesn't foul the hook.
  3. Add 8-10 strands of pearl and chartreuse Flashabou over the tail, tapered to the bucktail tips.
  4. Wind a splayed saddle-hackle collar just ahead of the tail for bulk and motion.
  5. Whip finish the thread and coat the wraps where the foam head will seat.
  6. Slide or glue the preformed popper head onto the front of the shank with a bead of superglue, cupped face forward.
  7. Let cure and check that the face pops cleanly when pulled.

Tying videos

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