Bodkin / Patterns

Saltwater Diver

Topwater · Striped Bass · Bluefish · Snook · Redfish · Tarpon · Jack · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook saltwater stainless (Mustad 34007), 1/0-2
  • Thread white or to match flat waxed nylon (3/0)

Materials

  • Saddle hackles (tail) To match forage (2-4, splayed)
  • Flash Pearl flashabou (6-8 strands)
  • Bucktail (collar) To match bucktail (1 clump)
  • Deer hair (head) To match deer hair (several clumps)
  • Mono (weedguard, optional) Clear weed guard (1 loop)

How to tie it

  1. Lay a thread base to the bend and tie in 2-4 splayed saddle hackles as the tail, flanked by a few strands of flash.
  2. Add a bucktail collar around the tail base for bulk.
  3. Spin a clump of deer hair around the shank, pack it tight, and repeat spinning and packing forward, leaving room behind the eye.
  4. If fishing structure, tie in a mono loop weedguard before spinning the front hair.
  5. Whip finish, then trim the spun hair flat on the bottom and bullet-shaped on top.
  6. Leave a stiff collar of untrimmed hair tips flaring up and back so the head dives and pushes water on the strip.
  7. Coat the trimmed head lightly with flexible cement so it sheds water and holds shape.

Tying videos

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