Bodkin / Patterns

RIO's Hopedale Crab

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

Reference Recipe

  • Hook Saltwater (Gamakatsu SL12S or Ahrex SA220), 1/0
  • Thread To match body (chartreuse or black) 210 denier / GSP

Materials

  • Lead dumbbell eyes, large Red or chartreuse lead dumbbell eyes large (1 pair)
  • Craft fur Chartreuse/white or purple/black craft fur (1 clump (tail))
  • Flash (Voodoo/crab fleck) To match tail (few strands)
  • Flex Hackle / Life Flex Wrap To match hackle (1 length (body))
  • Ice Dub To match dubbing (pinch (head))

How to tie it

  1. Start thread mid-shank and lash a pair of large lead dumbbell eyes on TOP of the shank about a third back from the eye, mounting them up top flips the hook to ride point-up and swim weedless over oyster and grass.
  2. At the bend tie in a wick-shaped clump of craft fur about one shank long, tapering the tips to a point.
  3. Lay a few strands of flash over the tail, kept sparse.
  4. Tie in a length of Flex Hackle at the tail base and palmer it forward to the eyes in touching turns, building a dense, water-pushing crab body; tie off behind the eyes.
  5. Cross the thread to the far side of the eyes and dub or bunch Ice Dub around the shank forward of the eyes, figure-8ing around them for the head.
  6. Brush the Ice Dub out well so it flares into a buggy head, whip finish at the eye, and cement.

Tying videos

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