Hook Size 2
Perfect Fly’s “Brown Baby Crab” fly imitates small crabs that are found on the saltwater
flats and estuaries. Small crabs are eaten by many species of gamefish. It’s an excellent
permit fly as well as a bonefish fly. Other species the fly works great on are the redfish,
ladyfish, striped bass, pompano, flounder, fluke, speckled trout, sea trout and just about
any inshore saltwater gamefish that eat small crabs. It’s also an excellent tarpon fly.
The Brown Baby Crab fly is especially good in backcountry waters, brackish water and
flats with some color due to wind and heavy sea action. It has some weight to it, thanks to
the eyes, and tend to stay on the bottom where it should. The fly has rubber legs that
provide lots of movement and action that attracts the fish.
This fly rides with the hook turned up and this helps prevent it from hanging on the
bottom. This allows you to fish it in water around weed beds and other obstructions that
would hang many flies. Like all of our saltwater flies, these are tied using super sharp,
stainless steel hooks.
Gear:
These flies cast well with their slightly weighted eyes. They come in a hook size 2, which
is about 1 and one-half inches long, and the size of the baby crab. We suggest a
nine-weight, fast to medium fast action fly rod but lighter rods will work. I wouldn’t use less
than a 7 weight.
Fishing Method:
You want to get the fly on the bottom and keep it there. To many anglers fish crab and
shrimp imitations to shallow or above the fish. Most fish that are eating shrimp and
focusing their attention to what’s on the bottom. That’s where the crabs stay and hide,
not up in open water column above the bottom. Your fly should do the same.
You also want to make sure you keep in contact with the fly. You cannot always see fish
take the fly and you want to feel a take. A fish will feel “live” and not dead like something
you hang on the bottom. You will learn to tell the difference in time if your new to the
sport.
