Bodkin / Patterns

Merkin Crab Shallow

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

Classic Recipe

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

Materials

  • Eyes Small lead dumbbell eyes or bead-chain eyes (light) for a soft, slow 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))

How to tie it

  1. Tie the light lead dumbbell or bead-chain eyes on top of the shank one eye-width back from the eye with figure-8 wraps and superglue. Light eyes give a soft entry and slow sink for skinny water.
  2. Tie in 2-4 splayed cree hackle tips at the bend as claws/tail with 2 strands of pearl Flashabou per side.
  3. Figure-8 alternating short lengths of tan and brown yarn across the shank from bend to eyes to build a dense oval body.
  4. Halfway along, figure-8 in two white rubber legs (four tips) splayed out the sides; finish the yarn to the eyes.
  5. Whip finish, trim to a flat oval carapace, and mark the leg tips red/orange.

Tying videos

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