Bodkin / Patterns

Lexo's Pop Up Crab

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

Tyer Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater flats hook, #1
  • Thread Tan or olive 140 denier

Materials

  • Lead/dumbbell eyes (1 pair (weight))
  • Body tubing (Flexo/EP tubing) Tan/olive carapace (legs and back)
  • Chenille Tan/olive chenille (body)
  • Monofilament (weed guard)
  • UV resin / nail powder Black uv resin nail powder (eyes)
  • Brush-on super glue (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and tie a pair of lead eyes on the shank near the hook eye for weight; X-wrap secure and glue.
  2. Wrap thread to the bend. Cut a length of body tubing, remove the core, and slide/fray it so it splays into crab legs; tie it in at the bend so the frayed tubing legs fan out to the rear and sides. Singe the leg tips with a lighter to knot/seal them.
  3. Form two short pinched sections of tubing at the rear as claws/eyestalks, secured with a touch of UV resin or a heated tool.
  4. Tie in chenille and wrap it forward, figure-eighting around the lead eyes, to build a flat, oval crab body.
  5. Fold a section of body tubing over the top as a shellback/carapace and tie it down behind the eyes; trim to the crab-shell outline.
  6. Tie in a monofilament weed-guard loop, build the head and whip finish.
  7. Add small black eyes with UV resin dipped in nail powder (or paint), and coat the shellback with a thin layer of UV resin; cure.

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