FlatsRoamer 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2017 I am not a fan of using crab flies or tying them. In my opinion they take so freaking long to tie and most require a lot of materials. I know they have there place and all that but you will rarely see me tying a crab fly. Also stripping one is a little difficult. You don't make them move like a shrimp rather slooooow long or every 6 seconds a short strip, at least what I learned. Not trying to start an argument, just expressing my opinion... Btw very nice flies, those will catch fish! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 3, 2017 ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnnyquahog 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2017 does anyone ever tye or fish a small lobster pattern similar to the freshwater crayfish? ive never seen one richmc Rich Murphy, in his comprehensive book "Fly Fishing for Striped Bass" has an elaborate lobster fly. Dave Skok has his SLobster which can be googled up. Dave's representation is more the illusion of a lobster. For Some reason I recall that Bill "Giant Killer" Catherwood had a lobster imitation but I can't picture it. The story I've heard more than once on the lobster fly; Off the coast of Ma, NH and Me the striped bass have learned to follow underneath the lobster boats. When the lobstermen haul their traps they are required to throw the shorts back. Certain times of the year, mid summer and fall, quite a few of these shorts never make it to the bottom but are quickly snatched up. Lobster tails were a popular bait for striped bass for Cuttyhunk fishermen in the very early 1900s. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sandflyx 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2017 which ones ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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Capt Bob LeMay 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2017 For those who've never fished crab patterns on tropical flats.... it's something a bit different than the way you'd fish a bonefish bug... First off any crab pattern needs to move like a crab -from where it lands it needs to crash dive almost straight down to the bottom and when it gets there sit exactly like a small crab does on the bottom, level -with claws up in a defensive posture (not that it will do the crab a bit of good if a permit or mutton decides to target it...) that's why the old Merkin pattern is still heavily used today. The whole business of tossing crab flies at permit or other species intent on picking them up off the bottom requires good timing and very sharp eyes on your part.... You need to toss your offering close enough that the fish notices it - but not so close that you spook your target (another of those "ask me how I know" moments) and you also need to know exactly when that crab fly is on the bottom (dropping it next to the boat and counting as it sinks where you can see is a handy trick). As the fly settles to the bottom you need to watch your leader like a hawk -the slightest twitch or movement is all you're ever going to get when a permit picks up a crab fly (then sucks it in towards the crushers, then quickly rejects it once it finds no crab....). A good strip strike to come tight if the fish picks up the motion-less fly is all that's needed... If no pick-up occurs then you simply do a long, slow strip to glide your crab fly along the bottom and stop to see it that will work... If you still haven't been bitten you can do a few very short strips - but mostly you need to pick up the bug and try a second presentation - if the fish(s) is still nearby.... All of the above is why the best fishing crab pattern is rarely the best looking bug... No matter how realistic you make the fly -it has to move properly or it won't draw any strikes... Hope this helps. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterjay 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 Great advice from the captain as usual. I enjoy looking at the fancy stuff, but for fishing purposes, you can't beat natural materials I don't have any experience on tropical flats, but in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, flats fishing (stripers and reds) doesn't sound any different. (shallow water, extremely spooky fish) This one doesn't take all that much time to tie, and the fish hammer it. You don't need to get overly concerned about realism. Technique is a thousand time more important. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
agn54 0 Report post Posted January 5, 2017 Sweet fly PJ, is that t badger hair? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 5, 2017 .... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 5, 2017 Dang double post.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterjay 0 Report post Posted January 6, 2017 Andy, that one's rabbit. It's based on an old Phil Chapman pattern; I'm a huge fan of his stuff. Great job, Duke. I love using coyote - it's got that "buggy" natural look, it's cheap, and it's always readily available. Palmered hackle is another good choice when I'm feeling lazy, which is about 95% of the time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 6, 2017 Quick question.... I put hour glass lead eye at back/bend of hook on bottom. Correct or just optional or maybe at the eye????? I got hook pointed up....? Looking at it upside down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterjay 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2017 Duke, I don't use any weight on those - they're mostly for either fishing in a foot of water or so on the flats or off the beach in the shallows. I usually put a mono loop weed guard on them if it's going to be necessary. I imagine weighting them the way you'd weight any crab fly would work. I'm hopefully gonna do some tarpon fishing next summer, and the plan is to wrap the shanks with some lead. (tarpon fishing here is mostly done in deep water) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 7, 2017 I gotcha...sight fishing for reds in these marsh ponds down here don't need the extra weight and would make for quieter presentation and subtle sink without a lotta weight. Now I can make some more correctly. Weed guard too, thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 13, 2017 Couple more crabs the peterjay way.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites