Bodkin / Patterns

McCrab

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

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Mustad 34007 or Tiemco 800S, 1/0-4
  • Thread Tan Flat waxed nylon or GSP

Materials

  • Eyes (weight) Large lead dumbbell (1 pair)
  • Body Natural spun deer hair, trimmed (5-6 clumps)
  • Claws Tan hackle tips or hen tips (2)
  • Legs Round rubber legs, knotted (3 pairs)
  • Crab eyes Burnt mono (1 pair)
  • Belly weight Lead putty or hot glue (optional) (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Lash a heavy lead dumbbell under the shank at the head. The McCrab must dive fast and land hook-up, because permit eat crabs off the bottom.
  2. At the bend tie in the mono eyes and two splayed hackle-tip claws.
  3. Spin 5-6 tight clumps of deer hair along the shank, packing hard after each clump, until the shank is full.
  4. Trim the deer hair into a flat, round crab disc: nearly flush on the hook-point side (the top when fishing), slightly domed on the belly.
  5. Thread three knotted rubber legs through the body with a needle, spacing them evenly, and trim to half a shank length per side.
  6. Whip finish at the head; add lead putty or hot glue to the belly if it doesn't sit level on the bottom. A crab that lands upside down gets refused.
  7. Bar the legs and shade the shell edge with a marker for a mottled look.

Tying videos

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