Bodkin / Patterns

Lefty's Deceiver

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

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater hook, 1/0-2
  • Thread White 3/0

Materials

  • Tail White saddle hackle (6-8 feathers)
  • Body Silver tinsel or braid (optional)
  • Belly White bucktail (full)
  • Topping Peacock herl (6-8 strands)
  • Flash Silver flashabou (sparse)
  • Eyes Stick-on prismatic (1 pair)

How to tie it

  1. Mount hook, lay a thread base to the bend.
  2. Pair 6-8 white saddle hackles concave-to-concave and tie in at the bend, splayed slightly outward, extending 2-3 shank lengths. That splay is Lefty's anti-fouling insurance. The feathers track straight instead of wrapping the hook.
  3. Optionally wrap a silver tinsel or braid body forward.
  4. At the front third, tie white bucktail all the way around the shank (top, bottom, sides) as a veiling collar that flows back over the tail tie-in.
  5. Add sparse silver Flashabou along each side.
  6. Top with 6-8 strands of peacock herl for the dark back.
  7. Apply prismatic eyes, build a smooth tapered head, whip finish, cement generously.

Substitutions

  • Tail instead of White saddle hackle: White schlappen — Softer, more movement; EP Fibers (tail section) — Synthetic, sheds water fast; Craft fur over saddle hackle — Adds bulk without weight
  • Belly instead of White bucktail: White EP Fibers — Standard modern substitute; White craft fur — Softer movement; White Pseudo Hair — Very consistent fiber length
  • Topping instead of Peacock herl: Peacock Flashabou — More flash, more durable; Green holographic flash — Different but effective; Olive bucktail — Back color over flash

Tying videos

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