All species of saltwater fish that inhabit the sounds, bays and shallow flats will feed on small soft shell and small blue crabs.
My first time fly fishing when I was around seven years old with my uncle in the mountains of Virginia. When I was twenty three a friend took on my first saltwater fly fishing trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That particular trip, like my first fly fishing trip with my uncle was one of my most memorable fly fishing trips ever. Partly because it was my first time fly fishing saltwater but mostly because the weather was great and the fish were everywhere. Now at sixty years old I cannot even count the number of times or all the places in the world I have been saltwater fly fishing and I always take an assortment of crab fly fishing flies with me. I am also blessed at my age to be in excellent health and very fit.
All species of soft shell crabs are born in the backwaters of sounds, bays and flats.. Migratory species and spawning species of saltwater fish often will either spawn in or enter the back bays, sounds or the calm water between a reef and the beach to feed. Some of these species include Redfish, Tarpon, Bluefish, Drum, False Albacore, Stripers, and more. As fish often do when caught, they will regurgitate whatever they have eaten recently. The first large Tarpon (91 lbs) I ever caught on a fly rod was in the Tampa Bay and it threw up one minnow and several crabs.
There are several species of saltwater fish that spend most if not all of their lives in the bays, sounds, flats and the protected areas between a reef and the shore. The most notable of these are the Bonefish, Snook and the Permit. A large portion of the Permits diet consists of small crabs and Bonefish will always feed on small crabs. I have also caught Pompano in the Florida Keys and in Belize that regurgitated crabs. In the southern waters of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Mexico the spotted sea trout are year round inhabitants that also often feed on small crabs.
There are many variations of saltwater fly fishing crabs available. Some are made of yarn, feathers, and coated foam. I personally think the coated foam crabs look more realistic and have found them to be most productive.
I do hope you find this information useful. Please remember to check the local regulations on species, size or slot limits and bag limits when you go saltwater fly fishing.
Tight lines and clear water,
Brian
Tags: bluefish, bonefish, fly fishing, redfish, Saltwater Fly Fishing, tarpon
June 18, 2008 at 11:15 am
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