Bodkin / Patterns

Merkin Crab

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

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater hook, 2-6
  • Thread Tan 6/0

Materials

  • Body Tan EP fibers or craft fur (flattened)
  • Legs Rubber legs (knotted)
  • Eyes Mono eyes or bead chain (1 pair)
  • Claws Craft fur clumps (2)
  • Weight Lead eyes underneath (to ride hook-up)

How to tie it

  1. Mount hook, tie in lead dumbbell eyes UNDER the shank near the eye. They flip the fly point-up and nose-down on the sink.
  2. At the bend, tie in two small craft fur claws and the mono eyes.
  3. Tie in EP fiber or yarn clumps crosswise along the shank with figure-8 wraps, like rungs on a ladder, until the shank is full.
  4. Tie in knotted rubber legs between the clumps, 2-3 per side.
  5. Trim the fiber mass into a flat, rounded disc. Comb, trim, comb again. Flatter and rounder beats bulkier every time.
  6. Whip finish at the hook eye.

Substitutions

  • Body instead of Tan EP fibers or craft fur: Tan EP Fibers — Faster drying, lighter; Tan craft fur — Softer, more natural
  • Legs instead of Rubber legs: Sili Legs (tan/olive) — More movement; Knotted rubber legs — Jointed crab leg look
  • Claws instead of Craft fur clumps: EP Fibers (clumped) — Lighter, same shape; Marabou tips — Soft, flowing claws
  • Weight instead of Lead eyes underneath: Tungsten eyes — Heaviest for fast sink; Bead chain — Lighter for very shallow water

Tying videos

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