I’ve been tying up some shrimp patterns - gurglers, streamers, etc that require monofilament eyes. While these are relatively easy to make, I’m sure that there are some hacks/tricks/techniques that lead to a better outcome - and I’ll bet that the experts who know these tips are on this forum.
So - what are your tricks to making REALLY shrimpy/crabby looking mono eyes? A few direct questions to get the wheels turning:
What’s your favorite # test for these? Any particular brand/color?
Any techniques to get really big blobs for eyes?
Do you flatten the mono on the side you wrap to the hook shank to better align it?
Do you paint/glue/UV epoxy the eyes to enhance them?
I used to make my own but honestly for how consistent and convenient they are I just buy the easy shrimp eyes. For $7 or so a pack it’s not worth my time to make them.
Following. I’ve made them by dipping in UV resin and curing. Repeat dipping until you have the size you like. Keep it turning in your fingers so they come out uniform as you cure. Works ok.
I seldom use them any more, but I used to make my own. I had a candle on the table and I’d burn the monofilament and immediately dip it in powdered paint that my bride got me from the hobby shop. After it dried I’d hit it with a swipe of Sally’s. Quick and easy. I’d usually make a bunch at once. I just got out of the habit of using them; I don’t think they make that much difference. Call it laziness…
Yea they attract fisherman but I do get a healthy dose of personal satisfaction with tying a “nice to me” fly. It’s part of the fun of the hobby. I will admit I doubt they make the fly any more attractive to fish, but I still like using them.
I quit using them as well. They look cool, but i don’t feel they catch more fish than flies without. But my method was 50lb. Burned with a lighter clear cure goo to size. Then nail polish for color. Black and chartreuse were my favs.
Only use them on two flies, Redfish Crack, and Shrimp Gurgler. The Gurg is best with 60lb mono eyes , very easy to make big eyeballs with 60. They stabilize the shrimp on the surface. Crack flies are inspected by Redfish, so I believe they need the eyeballs…probably not.
60lb mono, perfect to make big blobs, and pliers to flatten the area where they are knotted.
May be an unpopular opinion but while the mono eyes look great to us anglers of a fish can determine if it has eyes before eating you’ve already lost.
I almost never include them
As mentioned above, tiny glass jewelry beads as a translucent pupil and UV adhesive for bulk make for some gorgeous mono eyes.
I’m also in the camp that isn’t sure they make a difference but sometimes I want to tie a pretty fly. If a female in your life has gotten into beadcrafting you may have some great pupil options already in-house, I did.
I’ll add I don’t think they make much of a difference to the fish. The one redfish fly that I use them on I see it more of a foul guard for the tail than anything. Only other flies I use the easy shrimp eyes on are some bonefish flies. I make a trip or two to Abaco a year and tie way too much for 3-5 days of fishing. As a lot of stuff we as fly fishermen do it makes me feel good and more confident in what I’m doing but probably makes zero difference.
This thread has had me thinking. I saw reference to using glass beads and that seemed really heavy. For gurglers or floating flies, I started wondering about using foam for eyes.
I had to refill a couple bean bags and remembered that the “beans” were timy foam balls. Eureka!
It took a little experimentation, but I was able to melt the 60#mono just enough to bond with the foam ball without melting or deflating it. A light coat of UV flow and the eyes turned out really nice!
I use 30lb cheap mono so it’s a little thicker. Hold a lighter just close enough for it to “roll” on itself just barely. Really just creates a better bonding point for UV cement. Then I apply loon UV brown epoxy and hit with the UV light. Then add another coat or 2 of cement and repeat with the light. For how long it takes me to tie some patterns I really hate making eyes myself. I agree that they probably are not needed but I think it helps a fly ride more “true” and with gurglers I definitely feel this way. I found some on ebay in packs of 50 for relatively cheap. Planned on ordering some this week to try out (Crab And Shrimp Eyes Fly Tying Materials 50Pcs Per Pack | eBay).
I was tying this weekend and made a few eyes while I was tying when I ran out of store bought eyes. Left is one I made, right is from Hareline.
