Bodkin / Patterns

Rattle Mullet

Baitfish · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Jack · Tarpon · Snook · Redfish · False Albacore · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater streamer, stainless, short shank, 1/0-3/0
  • Thread White GSP 100 or 210 denier

Materials

  • Bucktail White bucktail (2 sparse clumps (belly))
  • Bucktail Gray or olive bucktail (1 sparse clump (back))
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (6-8 strands)
  • Glass rattle Clear glass rattle (1)
  • 3D stick-on eyes Silver/black eyes (1 pair)
  • UV resin or 5-min epoxy Clear uv resin (head coat)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread at the midpoint and bind a glass rattle along the top of the shank with tight figure-8s and a drop of glue so it can't spin.
  2. At the rear of the rattle tie in a sparse clump of white bucktail for the belly, one and a half shank lengths long, and add a few strands of pearl flash.
  3. Flip the hook and stack a matching gray or olive bucktail clump over the top for the back, same length. Keep it thin. Mullet are translucent, not bushy.
  4. Wind forward building a broad baitfish shoulder, spinning small pinches of bucktail around the shank so the head fattens into a blunt mullet profile.
  5. Advance to one eye-length behind the eye, whip finish and cut the thread.
  6. Press a 3D eye low on each side of the head, then coat the whole head and eyes with UV resin or epoxy for a hard, blunt nose. Cure or let set.

Tying videos

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