Gurgler / Toad
The Gurgler, developed by Jack Gartside, is a floating fly that creates a gurgling commotion on the surface — more effective than a hard popper in many situations because it moves silently through the water between strips. Used extensively for striped bass, bluefish, and false albacore from the surf and in flats. The foam back creates buoyancy and a fish-attracting wake. Strip it fast and erratic for aggressive fish, slow for finicky ones.
- Type
- streamer (Saltwater)
- Hook sizes
- #2–2/0
- Target species
- saltwater, bass
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Best seasons
- spring, summer, fall
Materials
- hook: Wide-gap saltwater hook #2–2/0
- thread: White 6/0
- tail: White or chartreuse marabou with hackle feathers
- body: White or chartreuse dubbing or foam
- back: 2mm closed-cell foam strip, folded over body
- legs: White or chartreuse rubber legs
Tying steps
- Mount a size 2–2/0 wide-gap hook; start white thread.
- Tie in a full white or chartreuse marabou tail at the bend.
- Add a pair of hackle feathers alongside the marabou tail for extra action.
- Tie in a strip of closed-cell foam (2mm) at the bend, lying flat.
- Dub or wind body material from the tail forward to the 3/4 mark.
- Fold the foam over the body and tie down at the 3/4 mark, creating a gurgling lip.
- Trim the foam to leave a 5–6mm extension that catches water on the strip.
- Add rubber legs at the sides and build a thread head; whip finish and cement.