Saltwater Bunny
Hook: Mustad #34011 or similar hook, assorted sizes.
Thread: Clear monofilament or color to match fly.
Tail: Saddle feathers tied deceiver style or rabbit zonker strip.
If a zonker strip is used for the tail, I suggest tying a mono loop off the bend of the hook to prevent entangling on hook bend.
Body: Cross cut rabbit strip wound up and to the eye of the hook.
Eyes: Dumb bell eyes are optional or reflective on a deceiver style head.
Head: (Optional) Chenille.
This pattern is one of the classics for striped bass. The rabbit presents life like movement in the water. It also compresses making the fly resemble many types of bait fish, shrimp, and small squid. As with all the classic patterns, there are times when this fly will out produce all others. Tie it with dumb bell eyes for increased action, and for times when you have to get the fly down. Tied in all white, not only is it an excellent bass pattern, but one of the best to use for false albacore. I caught my first from shore albacore with an all white bunny. Tied with a pink body its an excellent small squid pattern. Make sure you carry some in chartreuse, yellow, and black. Its very easy and inexpensive tie. Zonker and cross-cut rabbit can be purchased already cut, but I prefer to purchase the entire rabbit pelt and custom cut what I need.
