Thursday, January 27, 2000

Sanibel Special

Originator: Catch Cormier

Species: ladyfish, redfish, Florida snook

Remarks:


The Sanibel Special combines elements of a rattle rouser, charlie, and several popular Florida snook flies which are usually monotonic white. While it's a proven killer for snook, especially under lights, the Special has been very special for Lake Ponchartrain ladyfish. It also works equally well for reds along pipes or dropoffs in deadend canals during winter months.

Materials:
  • Mustad 34007 stainless hook, size 2.
  • 1/100 oz Brite Eyes (non-lead) hourglass eyes.
  • 3/8" pearlescent mylar tubing.
  •  glass rattles 16mm long
  • white thread
  • color substitutions for mylar: silver, gold, flashabou (gold/pearl).

Instructions:
  1. Wrap thread toward bend of hook. 
  2. Cut two sections of mylar, each 1 1/2" long. Lay one section of mylar along top of hook. This will create the mylar body and tail. 
  3. Secure the mylar at the bend of hook, then knot off (whip finish preferred). 
  4. Slide glass rattle into mylar, then secure the front end of the mylar with thread (sealing off the rattle. 
  5. Next, tie in the eyes. 
  6. Flip hook over, and lay the second section of mylar on bottom of hook. This will create the mylar wing. Make sure the ends of both mylar sections are even. 
  7. Tie off the wing section in front of eyes, and finish the head with a whip finish. 
  8. Apply a couple of drops of head cement to the lower half (near the eye) of the mylar wing. Pinch the mylar momentarily so the cement locks into the mylar. This will keep the lower end from unraveling. 
  9. Next, unravel the upper end of the wing, and also the tail. 
  10. Finally, take a fine brush and apply 30 minute (2 Ton) transparent epoxy to the body and head.
Other:

Like all epoxy flies, this is best done as a batch. While UV resin yields acceptable results, it doesn't have the same endurance as 30-minute clear epoxy.  The Devcon 2-Ton variety coats on clear and remains clear.