Bodkin / Patterns

Rag Head Crab 2.0

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

Reference Recipe

• Hook Saltwater (e.g. Mustad S71 / TMC 811S), 1-2
• Thread Tan or olive (power thread) 140 denier

Materials

• Lead dumbbell eyes Painted dumbbell eyes medium (1 pair, medium)
• Grizzly hackle tips (claws) Tan or olive grizzly hackle tips (2)
• Marabou Tan or olive marabou (small clump)
• Rubber legs (barred) Updated crab colors (3-4 pairs)
• Furry foam (carapace) Tan or olive furry foam (1 oval)
• Mono/plastic eyes Yellow mono (1 pair)

How to tie it

1. Start thread mid-shank and lash medium lead dumbbell eyes on top at the 25% mark with figure-8s and glue. They flip the fly to ride hook-up.
2. At the bend, tie in two splayed grizzly hackle tips as claws, plus a small clump of marabou between them for movement.
3. Bind three or four pairs of barred rubber legs across the shank with figure-8s, spaced evenly between the bend and the eyes.
4. Cut an oval of furry foam for the carapace and bind it top and bottom around the hook so it sandwiches the leg roots, forming the flat crab body.
5. Anchor two yellow mono or plastic eyes at the front edge of the shell.
6. Whip finish at the eye and cement; trim the shell to a rounded crab outline and even the legs.

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