Tying a Velcro Crab

Step by step instructions for a very effective and versatile crab pattern. The body provides a basic frame that you can add various different claw and leg combinations to match the crabs where you are fishing.
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Materials Used
(suggested list)
Hook: Gamakatsu SL11-3H
Weight: lead dumbbells
Thread: 6/0 to match colour of crab
Body: Velcro (soft side) cut to crab shape
Legs: rubber legs, chenille or rubber bands
Claws: chenille, cock hackle or rubber
Mouth parts: hackle fiber, marabou or similar
Eyes: EP crab eyes or similar
Belly: Epoxy mixed with white nail polish
Weed guard: Hard Nylon

[@raytribble8075]

This is an awesome crab pattern. I was fishing Galveston east bay here in Texas, USA a few weeks ago and drifted up on a massive red fish in my kayak and you could see small crabs scurrying everywhere… the red was not at all interested in anything I tossed his way and I will have some of these with me next time. Thank you for sharing

[@charlesmcfarlane2082]

It's quite delicate work to get everything in place, but one the epoxy sets the results are amazing! Very nice work.

[@flickingfeathers]

charles mc farlane thanks Charles it's a bit involved, but I think that the results are worth it

[@AhnkoCheeOutdoors]

Aloha from Hawai'i Martyn. I think these crab flies will be irresistible to the bonefish on our sandy flats here. Simple and effective I'm sure. Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much). Seems like all my favorite fly tiers on KZbin are Scottsmen.

[@flickingfeathers]

Ahnko Chee Outdoors I've caught bonefish on Oahu on thus very fly so you're right. Tight lines

[@Efstoons]

I tapped the lead dumbbell eyes flat with a small hammer or flatten them with some strong pliers and this gives a lower profile and the epoxy then can cover the dumbbells completely. I am not sure if the bonefish and triggers notice the difference, but the crab looks better to me. I have also noticed that the small red crabs on Christmas Island have the right claw a lot bigger than the left claw. The left claw is very rudimentary. Nature is not always symmetrical.

[@flickingfeathers]

Those are male fiddler crabs. Unless specifically imitating them I like to keep both claws the same.

[@seanmooney3907]

Nice fly as usual. Take care, tight lines! Sean

[@flickingfeathers]

Sean Mooney thanks Sean, all the best Martyn

[@eaustin2006]

Very creative and we'll described! Thank you.

[@flickingfeathers]

Thanks, glad it was useful. tight lines Martyn

[@smcewen7]

Awsome work im getting into fly tying,ive been makeing my own jigs for awhile,mainly for crappie.Starting to do some salt water stuff.I like your videos keep up the good work,tight lines!

[@flickingfeathers]

Thanks! I'm glad the videos are proving useful to you. Tight lines!

[@johjnHERNANDEZ]

supper video share thank you

[@flickingfeathers]

@@johjnHERNANDEZ thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

[@creaturedomes9364]

The crabs are cute 🦀

[@jean-baptiste-vidal]

Nice pattern. What kind of velcro is this? Where did you buy it?

[@flickingfeathers]

@@jean-baptiste-vidal It's the strips for backpacks. I I bought it in bulk from ebay years ago

[@jean-baptiste-vidal]

@@flickingfeathers OK not sure I can find it here in France .. i'll check .. thanks anyway

[@lorantferrari23]

Magnifique...😻

[@bsa5650]

Great video Martin, thanks for it I bet you have caught bass on them Take care

[@flickingfeathers]

I've never used them for bass actually, but peelers are such a good bait that maybe I should. Tight lines

[@bsa5650]

@@flickingfeathers Cheer Martyn, be interested to see how you get on! Tight lines

[@lowcountrytobackcountryins3049]

Brilliant!

[@sandfliesbowties5164]

Thanks for the video !! Do you think we can use a glue gun instead of epoxy ?

[@flickingfeathers]

Hot glue? Probably

[@sandfliesbowties5164]

@@flickingfeathers Thanks, will try it ! Looks like easier to apply that with a hot glue gun !

[@speedlinerc62]

great looking fly! how the heck do you get the knots to stay in round rubber legs? They always seem to open up on the round rubber legs after I tie them in. any secret?

[@flickingfeathers]

speedlinerc62 I just pull them tight and that's it. If the knot won't stay I just try another bit

[@mrj.maduro7563]

Great video. What kind of velcro are you using? Have you a link for it by any chance? Would love to order some. Thanks 😊

[@flickingfeathers]

Hi, I just order it on ebay. it comes in strips by the metre. You only want the soft side.

[@joshuapower8665]

Nice tie mate! What sort of epoxy are you using? Cheers

[@flickingfeathers]

Just ordinary 5 minute epoxy mixed with nail polish. Any 5 or 10 minute type will do

[@WATTSROBIN]

what are you using for the legs martyn? i usually use micro chenille but the smaller crab seems to be more flexible.

[@flickingfeathers]

robin watts 4s and smaller I'm using medium rubber legs, anything larger I use ultra chenille All the best Martyn

[@JoseMfly]

Where can I buy it

[@ashsahcash]

what sort of velcro is that and wear can i get some love your videos thank you

[@flickingfeathers]

these are velcro dots but i also use tape and sheets, you can get them from ebay or amazon in a range of colours. amzn.to/2I195Th here's some tape that would work fine.

[@ashsahcash]

thank you

[@MarkSkolnickrainbow3]

need subtitles - love the brogue but wish I could catch all the words

[@bobbyk1796]

🦀🎣🐟🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤨👍

[@robe1117]

Muy top

[@MarkoAbo]

Forgive me for asking but is he speaking English?