Silicone Surf Candy Baitfish Saltwater Hook : Tiemco 811s No.2. Thread : White. Wing : White Ultrahair, a few strands of pearl Krystalflash, light Blue Ultrahair, light Purple or Mauve Ultrahair, dark Blue Ultrahair. Body underlay : White wool to form case shape. Eyes : Black on Silver prism stick-on eyes. Body overlay : 5 minute epoxy. Gills : Fine red permanent marker.
Tying Instructions 1) Tie a 5mm bed of thread starting at hook eye and then return thread to hook eye. 2) get a bunch of white Ultrahair the thickness of a matchstick, halve thickness cut to a length 4 times hook shaft. 3) Holding one end of Ultrahair fold in half lengthways with thread at bend. The material should now be twice the length of the hook shaft and attached to thread. 4) Holding Ultrahair ends firmly wrap thread around shaft, keeping Ultrahair on top of shaft. Only wrapping thread 5mm along material, then return thread to eye. 5) Taking three to four stands of Pearl Krystalflash repeat tie in method, trim to a 10mm past Ultrahair 6) Repeat steps 2 - 4 for each colour of Ultrahair. Ensuring each bunch of hair on top of the other. 7) Wetting fingers in a small container of water and dishwashing liquid. Take a small amount of silicone and form a sausage shape one a quarter times the length of hook shaft and about 5mm in thickness (for a size 2 hook). Press into top of material from eye backwards. With left hand (if right handed) keep all colours aligned as you work the silicone around materials and hook shaft to create a even body. 8) Let dry for 10 -20 minutes. The silicone will still be sticky but carefully apply a prism eye to either side of head at he Ultrahair tie in point. 9) I normally tie several to this point and wait for them to dry. Then mix a small amount of five minute epoxy enough to do a few before it sets. Apply a thin layer to head, eyes and top of back only. Place on rotary till dry. 10) Then all that is left is a little art work with the permanent red marker to form gills on the underside of pattern just behind eyes.
Fly Notes I was tied of my fully epoxy constructed surf candies from sinking too quickly. Most baitfish in shallower waters school near the surface. This pattern has a more intermediate sink rate. Yes it still sinks, but its more easily controlled and kept near the surface. The one drawback is also its greatest asset. It has a hard back and a soft underbelly. Just like a real baitfish. The fish seem to hang on to the fly longer making up for my poorly timed strikes. This longer mouthing and fly softness do destroy the flies quicker, but they are easily repaired. By stripping off as much silicone as possible (which also removes the epoxy). New silicone, new eyes, a little bit of red marker, a fresh top layer of epoxy and its ready to fish again. Vary colours as required, for a green based version - white, light green, grey, then last use olive. You can used just two colours for example blue/white, green/white, olive/white, chartreuse/white or black/white. Large eyes, darker backs. Its up to you.
Fishing Notes Bream, flathead, Australian salmon, tuna & pelagics species. Anything that would prey onbaitfish. Depending on target species shock tippets maybe required. Retrieval method is a steady long strip, with short pauses. Rapid retrieves are an alternative, if lots of follows. Even the sweeping of rod to the side to give a very quick acceleration at the end of retrieve will sometimes help.
Location Notes Anywhere baitfish are found. Designed for top of water column work. Colour & size combinations will determine estuary, inshore or offshore uses.
Prey Notes Baitfish representation.
Tier Richard Carter

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