Bodkin / Patterns

Ghost Belly Shrimp

Shrimp · Bonefish · Redfish · Sea Trout · Snook · Permit · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook saltwater flats hook (Gamakatsu SL45), 4-6
  • Thread orange or tan 6/0 (Veevus) or mono

Materials

  • Eyes Small nickel brass or bead-chain eyes (belly-mounted) (1 pair)
  • Mouth eyes Small black shrimp mono eyes (1 pair)
  • Antennae/rib Pearl Krystal Flash (few strands)
  • Flash Pearl and black midge flash (few strands)
  • Legs Micro Sili/Bonecrusher legs (4-6)
  • Body/wing Tan EP fibers (or tan synthetic dubbing) (small bunch)
  • Glue Brush-on Zap-A-Gap / UV resin (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Mount small brass or bead-chain eyes on the underside of the shank near the hook eye so the fly rides hook-point up (belly-weighted) and lands soft on the flat.
  2. At the bend, tie in the shrimp 'nose': a pair of black mono shrimp eyes, a few strands of pearl Krystal Flash antennae, and a sparse tuft of tan EP fibers extending past the bend.
  3. Add two or three pairs of micro rubber legs so they splay along the body.
  4. Tie in tan EP fibers on top and, working forward, build a translucent shrimp body, adding a few strands of pearl and black midge flash for subtle sparkle.
  5. Rib the body loosely with pearl Krystal Flash to segment it, then build a tapered head over the belly eyes.
  6. Whip finish, then brush a little Zap-A-Gap or UV resin into the head and eye wraps for durability; pick out fibers so the shrimp looks buggy and translucent.

Tying videos

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