Unlike it's namesake, this fly has an easy-to-remove rattle in it's butt. Whether it's sans-rattle stealth you need, or loud for murky water, this fly will bring in redfish from all around.
Equipped with bead chain tied inline with the hook shank, this fly gives a segmented body appearance while ensuring it stays hook point up. From the super-buggy yarn wrapped around the body to the ultra-fine fibers used for the wing, all the materials on this fly were carefully selected to maximize its underwater movement. A go-to shrimp pattern you can use on any flats with confidence.
If you spend a lot of time sight casting on the Gulf Coast’s shallow flats and backwater marshes, you will undoubtedly run across plenty of Sheepshead. That’s why Port O’Connor fishing guide, Captain Scott Null, set out to find an effective fly that would increase the odds of hooking up with these elusive fish. This fly excels because of how the the rabbit fur "breathes" in the water with even the slightest movement. An extra-small lead eye gives the fly just enough weight to get it to the bottom, yet light enough to land quiet and not scare off skittish fish. And even though this fly is designed to sight cast to Sheepshead, it works very well for Redfish and Black Drum too.
You can read more about how Capt. Scott Null fishes this fly in his Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine article. But generally speaking, get it in the path of a Sheepshead just close enough to get his attention and then let it sit on bottom until it finds it. As it approaches give it the smallest movement possible and be ready to set the hook on the slightest of tugs.
Floating on the surface, this fly will pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. It is superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low. The posture of this fly mimics an injured baitfish and triggers a natural reaction in fish to crush it! Watching Redfish and Trout blow this gurgler up on the surface will have you tying this fly on again and again.
This baitfish pattern is a killer for everything saltwater has to offer when you need a slow sinking, full body fly. It is the perfect fly for sight casting to Bull Reds, feeding baby Tarpon in backwater creeks, throwing around the jetties, or even targeting trophy Speckled Trout up on the flats. The tail is tied with a pair of hackle feathers and a pinch of flash, while the head is a combination of custom dubbing and fox fur brush.
Closely imitating shrimp-fleeing action this fly triggers an aggressive reaction bite and will bring fish to the boat on those tough days when other flies only get looks. Floating on the surface, this fly will pop, splash, and create noise when being stripped. It is superb at grabbing the attention of fish from a distance, in murky water, or when the visibility is low.