Joseph Bergel's "Jo-CraZy Cray"

Hook Mustad freshwater streamer 1/0
Head extra large bead eyes
Thread gray, unwaxed 8/0
Claws custom cut rabbit strip (any color desired)
Eyes melted 40 lb mono
Thorax dubbed rabbit
Shellback clear stretchback
Tail rabbit strip wrapped

Tying Directions:

  1. Start with the claws, glue them and let dry.
  2. Add the dumbbell eyes at the front of the hook, glue as well.
  3. Add the mono eyes, gluing as well.
  4. Spin enough dubbing to build up the thickness desired.
  5. Tie in stretch back, as you would a nymphs wing case.
  6. Wrap rabbit strip all the way to just before the hook eye.
  7. Bring thread back to help secure the rabbit strip.
  8. Fold over stretch back, making shell and tail sections as you go.
  9. Whip finish and glue.

Notes:

The cray can be fished stop and start style, the heavy tail allows it to have that fighting "claws up stance" that smallies hit even more. This is also due to the fact that when you pause in the retrieve the claws tend to float up and breath a bit.

I ended up tying this one larger because I was catching too many small fish when it was in hook sizes 6 – 10. This one gets noticed by bass over 10 inches and usually scares away everything else. I have kept it in natural colors but it can be tied in any color you wish. Have fun with it.

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