The fish in Kona, Hawaii, like a little flash and Flashabou is becoming Kona's hottest new material for skirting jet heads and bullets. Flash skirts are top producers for marlin, spearfish, tuna, mahimahi, and wahoo. Story by Jim Rizzuto. Photo courtesy of Anxious Sportfishing.
Kona skippers use several methods to manage the slippery skirt material. In this tutorial, you will learn the easiest way to handle Flashabou and attach it to your lures.
At Pacific Rim Fishing Supplies in Honokohau Harbor, Matt LoSasso says the best stuff is the original extra-limp Flashabou tinsel flash. The flashy material comes in many colors, secured in bunches with staples. Pink, blue and pearl are the most popular Kona colors.
Make sure to use the right amount of material. It takes about three bunches to skirt a medium-sized jet lure.
Keep the bunches secured with the metal staples they are sold with. Wrap the bunches in place with a rubber band and adjust the material so it is evenly distributed.
Bind the Flashabou to the lure head using rigging thread. Wrap the Flashabou with the thread to securely hold it in place ahead of the rubber band.
Remove the rubber band and the metal fasteners.
Pull the "ruff" back into a trolling position. Hold it securely in place until you bind it with rigging thread.
Use strong waxed thread to hold the "ruff" in place. Tie the thread in place and use a few drops of Super Glue if you'd like. This lure is now finished if you are happy with a single skirt and ready for a hook-set.
Some fishermen like to finish off the lure by applying an overskirt, but the additional skirt (on the bottom lure in the photo) does hide some of the flash.
Despite its fragile appearance, Flashabou is surprisingly durable. This pair of lures has endured a lot of hard use and are still flashing.
