Last Updated:
03/07/05
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LANCE’S SUNSHINE MINNOW by Leonard Elzie This fly, (a hybrid like the Sunshine Bass, hence its name—although it also does sparkle and reflect sunlight) was developed by my son Lance by hanging the spinner blade from Tom Broderidge’s Flasher onto the antifouling loop of my Juvenile Baitfish. The fly is an obvious choice for Spanish Mackerel. It is also very effective on other local species from speckled trout and ladyfsh to needlefish and sand trout. When you hear complaints that “They are only hitting glass minnows”, it is definitely time to use Lance’s Sunshine Minnow. |
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| RECIPE: Hook: Mustad 34007 (or equivalent) #2 Thread: White, 6/0 Underbody: Lead or Leadfree wire, .015 or .025 Antifouling Loop: Monofilament, 50lb. Spinner blade: Colorado style, size 00, nickel Body: Pearl Sparkle Braid (aka polyflash) Wing: Polar Bear White FisHair Lateral Line: One section of silver Flashabou along each side Translucence: 3 - 4 strands pearl Flashabou along each side of the wing Topping: several strands of pearl Krystal Flash Head: build up with white thread Eyes: Silver prismatic stick-on eyes, 3/16” |
“...obvious choice for Spanish mackerel” |
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| TYING TIPS: Begin tying the wire along the top of the hook from one or two eye lengths behind the hook eye and going a few (8 - 12) thread wraps to the rear before starting to wrap the wire around the hook shank. This will help build height to the head without so much roundness and width. To keep the antifouling loop from being torn by fish grabbing the spinner blade, use about 50 lb. test and use superglue to help bond the monofilament to the hook (or actually to the wire that has been wrapped around the hook shank). Sparkle braid makes a fairly durable body, but coating it with Loon Hard Head before adding the wing is a good precaution. Remember to add the spinner blade before finishing the antifouling loop, but if you do forget, you will be fishing with the Juvenile Baitfish which is also a productive fly. The wing should extend back to as far as the end of the antifogging loop—no further. The 3/16” eyes will be at least as large as the head, so some Hard Head or epoxy between the eyes at the top and bottom will help secure them. Then add a thin coat of epoxy over the head and eyes for final protection. There are a number of procedures used in tying this fly, but none of them are difficult and the result is worth the effort. The finished fly looks a lot like a little guppy swimming through the water, with the body making a fat stomach and the wing making the minnow’s body. | |