Eye Assembly Step (1)

On a “Posted It” pad duplicate the layout as shown in photo to create a working template.

Eye Assembly Step (2)

Cut two lengths of 40-50lb. monofilament eight inches long. Leader material or hard Mason is recommended. Align the two pieces of monofilament with your fingers so that the line sets are parallel as shown. Separate the mono lines in your fingers about 1/8 inches. Leave about two inches of space between fingers in both hands. Drop the two lines making sure the mono projects thru the center of each eye. Press firmly in place. Adjust mono if necessary to recapture the line set.

Eye Assembly Step (3)

Layout eye assembly on “Post It” pad and use several elastic bands as a holding devise.  
Caution: Only Use five minute epoxy. Mix a batch of epoxy and let stand for two minutes before applying. Epoxy if left longer on the eyes will dissolve the glue. This will cause problems aligning the mono and keeping them in the proper place.
Cover both eyes completely leaving a small mound over the mono. Using a pier of hackle pliers, clamp between the middle of the eyes and hang near edge of table. Apply no weight on the lanyards till hardened or the line set will be disturbed.   

Epoxy Eyes Complete

Epoxy Eyes Complete 

Tying Procedure

Step 1

Step 1

Slip a 1/4 inch silver cone onto the hook. Place the hook in the vise. Start the mono thread near the end of the hook shank. Tie on a small bunch of bucktail and several strands of Mirage Flashabou about 5 inches long.

Step 2

Step 2

Tie in the eye assembly. The center of each eye should be about ¾ inches past the bend of the hook. Lay lanyards alone the hook shank and tie in place. Trim excess lengths and stager the cuts to form a more tapered look. See photo.

Step 3

Step 3

Tie six white hackles to the top of the fly. Tying tip: If you use 8 inch long saddle hackles, the completed fly will be about 10 inches long.

Step 4

Step 4

Tie six white saddle hackles on the bottom of the fly, three on each side of the hook.

Step 5

Step 5

Tie sparse amounts of pink Angel Hair around the upper and lower tentacles. The longer ends of the material should be approximately 5 inches long. Tie small amounts of light brown Angel Hair to add contrast and created a mottled appearance.

Step 6

Step 6

Tie a medium to large rattle to the top of hook. Tie off and cut the thread. Coat the rattle and thread wraps with five minute epoxy. Let dry completed before next step.

Step 7

Step 7

Cut a 2 inch long piece of 3/8 inch diameter E-Z Body tubing. Press you thumb into one end of tubing to spread the fibers. Slide the frayed end of tubing onto the hook and over the rattle. The frayed end should extend over the hackles to help the tentacles retain their shape in the water. Start the monofilament thread on the hook again and tie off the front end of tube. Coat the thread wraps with cement.

Step 8

Step 8

Tie on a crosscut bunny strip. Wrap the strip around the hook like a hackle. Tie off and clip the thread. Cement area around threads. Slide the cone head back against the fur. There should be about ¼ inch space between the front of the cone and hook eye.

Step 9

Step 9

Start the monofilament thread in front of the cone. Tie small amounts of ivory Poly

Bear completely around the cone. Tie on the material butt facing cone, long end forward of hook eye and fold it back. Secure the hair with two or three wraps of thread. The Poly Bear should extend about one inch past the eyes.

Step 10

Step 10

Tie sparse amounts of tan Poly Bear around the fly to add mottling. Add some pink Poly Bear in the same fashion. Whip finish the thread and clip. Coat the thread with five minute epoxy. You may now trim any excess materials to suit your taste. 

The Rattle Squid is a terrific pattern for catching striped bass in the spring and early summer, and it continues to attract fish throughout the season. The noisy rattle and the full profile make this pattern realistic to look at from any angle.