Bodkin / Patterns

Pencil Popper

Topwater · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Jack · Snook · Barracuda · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook Long-shank saltwater hook (Mustad 34011), 1/0-3/0
  • Thread White Flat waxed nylon

Materials

  • Body Pencil-shaped foam or balsa popper body, slotted (1)
  • Tail White bucktail and saddle hackles (1 clump + 4 feathers)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (6-8 strands)
  • Eyes Stick-on 3D eyes (1 pair)
  • Adhesive Zap-A-Gap or epoxy (as needed)

How to tie it

  1. Wrap a thread base along the rear half of the shank and coat with cement for grip.
  2. Tie in a long tail at the bend: white bucktail, 4 splayed saddle hackles, and Flashabou, together about 2 shank lengths long. The long slim tail is what gives the 'pencil' its side-to-side walk.
  3. Whip finish and remove the thread.
  4. Slide the slotted pencil popper body over the shank, seating the cupped or tapered face just behind the hook eye, and glue with Zap-A-Gap or epoxy.
  5. Paint or leave white; stick on eyes and clear-coat the body.
  6. Check that the hook gap is clear below the body. A crowded gap costs hookups on this narrow-bodied plug.

Tying videos

← All fly patterns