Clouser Minnow

An excellent baitfish pattern for two deep or deeper. A weedguard is advised over grass bottom. Brown-and-orange or all black, both with gold flash, are good alternatives.

Hook—Standard length shank No. 4 to 2/0
Wing—Bucktail with Krystal Flash or similar
Eyes—Lead dumbbell or bean chain

Crease Fly

Great surface popper that sits low in the surface film and has a crippled action. Crease Fly “kits” can be purchased in some fly shops, or visit: www.artsnflies.com/pages/crease_kits.shtml

Hook—No. 2 to 2/0
Thread—Mono Ultra Fine
Body—1/8 inch play foam, cut to shape and folded. Silver or pearl foil glued to foam then attach shaped body by glue to hook. Finish with light coat of epoxy.
Tail—White bucktail with pearl flash
Eyes—White stick-on decal or doll eyes

Dahlberg Diver

One of the oldest styles of hair bugs with bass fishing roots. A great seatrout floater diver that is easier to cast than hard poppers. Weedguard is advised where floating grass is a problem. All colors, from white to black work. (marabou tail is shown in photo.

Hook—Standard length or wide-gap No. 2 to 2/0
Thread—Monocord or Kevlar thread
Tail—Marabou plumes, saddle hackles, bucktail or rabbit strip, flash of choice
Head—Coarse deer or elk hair, spun and clipped to shape.
Eyes—(optional) decal eyes or doll eyes
Weedguard—20- to 30-pound mono

Foxy Shrimp

One of countless shrimp patterns available. This one swims in retreat like a shrimp in “panic mode.” Add a weedguard if desired. Fox fur makes this one suspend and undulate seductively.

Hook—Standard length No. 2 to 1/0
Thread—flat-waxed nylon
Tail—Standard red fox tail fur, barred with olive or brown permanent marker, flash optional
Butt—orange Krystal Chenille
Eyes—Burnt mono stalks, one tied to each side
Body—Rootbeer Eztaz or similar flash chenille

Gartside’s Gurgler

A terrific casting popper that makes plenty of sound for trout, perhaps the best choice for clam surfaces.

Hook—standard or X-long shank
Thread—monocord, 3/0 or heavier
Tail—Two-tone bucktail, flash optional
Body—hook shank wrapped with flash chenille, closed-cell foam strip tied down with thread atop of that, face (lip) is upturned

Marabou Sea-Ducer

Another version of the venerable Homer Rhodes streamer (which has bass fishing roots). Standard tail material is 4 to 6 saddle or neck hackles, but marabou is a quicker tie, and less likely to foul the hook.

Hook—Standard length No. 2 to 2/0
Thread—monocord or 3/0 flat-waxed nylon
Tail—Heavy marabou plume(s)
Body—Palmered saddle hackles
Eye—painted on thread head (optional)

Mylar Minnow

Patterned after the author’s favorite snook streamer. Similar to Sea-Ducer, But Hackle Flash, made by Cascade, makes a palmered head that is more durable and takes less effort to build than using multiple saddle hackles.

Hook—Standard length No. 2 to 2/0
Thread—monofilament or 3/0 nylon
Tail—White bucktail, flash optional
Body—Hackle Flash, palmered from tail to hookeye
Eyes—Decal eyes affixed with Goop

Pinfish Fly

Deadly, translucent pinfish streamer for southern grassflats.

Hook—Standard length N0. 2 to 2/0
Thread—fine to medium monofilament thread
Wing—White Super Hair, Fish Fiber or similar brand, barred with olive marker, silver or pearl flash of choice
Eyes—decal eyes affixed with Goop
Gills—red fibers of choice, or red marker

Price of Tides

A classic Bendback streamer for all inshore species, including trout. Inverted wing works well over grass bottom.

Hook—standard length No. 2 to 2/0 (put SLIGHT bend just behind hookeye before tying)
Thread—brown 3/0
Body—gold or copper flat Mylar ribbing, overwrapped with clear nylon V-rib or heavy monofilament
Wing—white bucktail topped by green bucktail and then brown bucktail, topped by peacock herl. Gold flash is standard.
Eyes— painted yellow and black