Goldmine Crab
Published Feb 23rd 2013
A weedless crab pattern with lots of flash and color, yet with a discrete landing suitable for finicky fish
By Roy Lopez
Tough fishing situations are in my opinion, definitely crabby situations.
It seems a redfish, along with sheepshead, black drum and even a speckled trout can't seem to resist a crab.
The Goldmine crab is one of my go to's and is normally fished where fish are laid up hanging out in pot holes or tailing . Although the crab is universally fishable in any depth due to the lead hour glass eyes that can be purchased in different sizes.
It is normally fished with 5/32 eyes in 6 to 18 inches of water. The fly itself has a surprisingly soft lay over due to the Mylar tubing, making it ideal for finicky fish as well.
Another good feature the fly offers is that its weedless. The mylar is tied Merkin style under the hook allowing the hook point to ride up. whether I'm on the sand looking for a sun bathing redfish or on a grass flat chasing podding fish, this fly has been consistent and has fooled many fish that swim the Lower Laguna Madre.
| |
+  Tail |
+  Chenille |
|
+  Flash and eyes |
+  Mylar tube | |
|
+  Dumbbell eyes | ||
| | ||
Goldmine Crab
| Type | Warm saltwater fly |
| Originator | Roy Lopez |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Materials
| Hook | Mustad 34007 size 6. Can be tied in 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 |
| Thread | Red 6/0 |
| Tail | Grizzly hen feather or hackle tips and gold flash |
| Front body | Orange Flash Chenille |
| Eyes | Burnt 40 lbs mono |
| Body | Gold Mylar tube |
| Weight | Lead dumbbell eyes |
Tying instructions
- Start the thread at the hook bend and tie in the tail, two feather tips on each side curving out
- Add the flash on top of the feathers
- Tie in the chenille right over the hook bend
- Wrap the chenille a couple of turns, tie off and trim
- Burn some heavy monafilament to form eyes and paint the eyeballs black
- Tie in midway between the chenille and the hook eye, pointing towards the rear of the fly
- Cover the remaining shank with tying thread and tie in a piece of mylar tube in front of the eyes, perpendicular to the shank
- Fray it and trim it
- Tie in dumbbell eyes right behind the hook eye
- Whip finish and varnish over the dumbbell eyes and tie-off point
Variations
