Bodkin / Patterns

Merkin Crab Deep-

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

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater flats hook, Tiemco TMC 811S or Mustad 34007 (straight/short shank), #1/0-4
  • Thread Tan (or chartreuse) 210 denier flat waxed nylon

Materials

  • Eyes Heavy lead dumbbell eyes (large/extra-heavy) for fast deep sink (1 pair)
  • Claws/tail Cree (or barred ginger/brown) neck hackle tips, splayed (2-4 tips)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (2 strands per side)
  • Body Tan and brown craft/rug yarn, figure-8'd across the shank (several short lengths)
  • Legs White round rubber legs, tips colored red/orange (2 (4 tips))
  • Weed guard (optional) Hard mono loop (1)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base and tie the heavy lead dumbbell eyes on top of the shank about one eye-width back from the hook eye with tight figure-8 wraps and a drop of superglue. Heavy eyes make this the deep, fast-sinking version and flip the fly hook-point-up.
  2. At the bend tie in 2-4 splayed cree hackle tips as the claws/tail, curving apart, with 2 strands of pearl Flashabou each side.
  3. Cut short lengths of tan and brown yarn and tie them across the shank one at a time with figure-8 wraps, alternating colors and packing tight, working from the bend toward the eyes to build a dense oval body.
  4. About halfway along, figure-8 in two white rubber legs (four leg tips) so they splay out the sides; continue the yarn to the eyes.
  5. Whip finish behind the hook eye. Trim the yarn body to a flat oval carapace roughly as wide as it is long, and mark the rubber leg tips red/orange.

Tying videos

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