Bodkin / Patterns

Predator Fiber Baitfish

Baitfish · Intermediate · 1 version

Svenddiesel Recipe

  • Hook Ahrex SA280 Minnow (or any short-shank saltwater/streamer hook), 1/0
  • Thread White or to match 6/0

Materials

  • Flash Flash of choice (4-6 strands)
  • Body & wing Semperfli Predator Fibers, any colour combination (3-4 sparse clumps)
  • Eyes Deadmeat Customs stick-on eyes (1 pair)
  • Head Liquid Fusion or Zap Flex (thin coat)
  • Markings Sharpie or Copic marker (optional)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base along the front half of the shank, everything is tied in there, so the rear of the hook stays bare.
  2. Tie in a sparse belly clump of Predator Fibers, pointing forward over the eye, then fold it back and lock it down. Sparse is the whole trick: the fibres are long and translucent, and a heavy clump kills the taper.
  3. Add 4-6 strands of flash along the belly clump, the same length or slightly shorter.
  4. Tie in the next colour on top in the same way, a little longer than the belly, building the back of the baitfish.
  5. Add a third and if wanted a fourth clump for a darker back, each slightly longer than the last, so the profile tapers to a point rather than ending square.
  6. Build a short thread head, whip finish and trim.
  7. Mark the back and gills with a marker if you want barring or a darker top, the fibres take pen well and it dries fast.
  8. Stick an eye on each side and seal the head with a thin coat of Liquid Fusion or Zap Flex, working it into the eye edges so they cannot peel.

Tying videos

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