Description

Why the Mike’s BBC Tarpon Dredging Fly Gets Eaten

Mike’s BBC is a 6 to 7 inch tarpon dredging fly built for one job — getting down deep and putting a massive profile in front of big tarpon holding tight to the bottom. We tied this pattern in black and purple to throw a bold silhouette in dirty, stained water where visibility drops to almost nothing. A black medium bead chain eye gets this big fly down fast, keeping it in the strike zone where deep-holding tarpon won’t come up for anything else. As a result, the Mike’s BBC tarpon dredging fly gets eaten by the biggest fish in the school.

Big tarpon holding deep in stained water demand a different approach than fish rolling on the surface. In fact, most anglers reach for this fly specifically to dredge — fished slow and deep on a sink tip or heavy sink rate. Therefore, this is the fly you tie on when you know the biggest fish in the river or pass are sitting on the bottom and refusing to come up.

Built to Dredge.

Unlike smaller patterns built for sight-fishing on the flats, Mike’s BBC is designed to get down and stay down in front of big, deep-holding tarpon. Additionally, while dredging is its specialty, anglers also throw this fly oceanside and in other non-dredging situations with the same results.

Premium Hardware: Gamakatsu SL12S 2/0 Hook

• Sticky Sharp Point: drives instantly into a tarpon’s hard, bony jaw.
• Heavy-Duty Shank: the oversized 2/0 shank holds up under the weight and bulk of a 6 to 7 inch fly.
• Unmatched Strength: high-carbon steel resists bending through extended fights.

Built in Black and Purple: A Massive Profile for Dirty Water

• Chinese Saddle Hackle Tail: long saddle hackles create a flowing, 6 to 7 inch profile with constant movement.
• Palmered Marabou Neck: pulses and breathes with the slightest motion.
• Palmered Schlappen: thickens the profile and holds the silhouette together in stained water.

Weighted to Reach Deep-Holding Tarpon: Black Bead Chain Eyes

• Gets the Fly to Depth: black medium bead chain eyes sink this big fly down to deep-holding fish.
• Dredging Action: creates a subtle jigging motion on a slow retrieve.
• Built for Stained Water: keeps the fly working deep and steady through dirty current.

Effortless to Cast

• 10 to 12-Weight Friendly: backbone to turn over this much material and handle the biggest tarpon.
• Balanced for Bulk: tapered materials keep the fly from collapsing or fouling.
• Accurate Delivery: still lands with control despite its size.

Target Species

Saltwater, Brackish & Freshwater Predators — Tarpon: draws eats from the biggest, deepest-holding fish in salt, brackish, and freshwater systems alike, whether dredged slow on the bottom or fished oceanside.