How to Tie: Veverka’s Mantis Shrimp
Imitates: shrimp
Target species: bonefish
Where to fish: flats
Notes: Add a tuft of something orange (marabou, rabbit fur, EP Fibers, etc) instead of tan rabbit under the eyes for a spawning mantis! #4 is the most popular size
Materials from this video:
Save 10% on materials with the kit:
About the fly:
Bob Ververka’s Mantis Shrimp is a fly that you should definitely have with you anywhere in the Caribbean and in the Florida Keys. Inspiration for the pattern came from the moving appendages of a mantis shrimp when Mr. Veverka saw one on a wildlife TV program. The bug he came up with delivers that movement which has proven itself seductive to bonefish time and time again.
A pattern that can be scaled up and down in size and weight like this one is a characteristic of a hall of fame bonefish fly. So cover any water depth and situation by tying the Mantis Shrimp in size #6 with small bead chain eyes up to #2 with large bead chain eyes and small lead eyes. The #2 with large bead chain eyes tied in the video above is the most often used size in the Florida Keys. #4 with medium bead chain eyes (size in the tying kit) is the most popular size for the Bahamas.
Helpful tools/additional materials:
To flatten tie-in end of eyes:
For a weedguard:
