Blue crab--Bahama Flats

[striblue]

Here is a Blue crab..crab apple, that will be making a test in the Bahamas in March... I may be changing the color.

[mendy]

Hey Stiblue,

Im heading down to the Yucatan in March. Id be happy to test some of those crab apples on bones and permit if you'd like.

Email is john_mendelson@hmco.com

John

[striblue]

That would be great... I would like to get as many tests as possible...Dick Brown is the other guy. I am sure he will tell me like it is as you will. I have another small group going to a third guy as well. Please e-mail your mailing address and actual date of departure so I can plan this out.

[boarmountain]

Am I the third? HeHe! Lmk what flats you want in return , John.
Mike B

[striblue]

Mike are you going down?

[boarmountain]

Yup, I'll be in Fla. next month to fish for Reds and Seatrout. I just tied up some flatwings in yellows, browns and reds. Different color combos. Should be interesting.
Mike

[msiler]

Hi Mike,
I am heading to FL in April and was just about to post a question about flatwings for Seatrout, Reds and Snook when I read your reply here...

If you could post some pics / pattern descriptions that would be awesome!

E-mail me if you wish
msiler_99@yahoo.com

[boarmountain]

I'm not real sure if this will help or not, because this is my first trip, but these are what I tied. If a certain fly grabs you LMK and I will post the pattern w/ a close up pic of the fly .

[msiler]

Hi Mike,
The top 2 flies look great for Reds.

I threw alot of flies at Seatrout and Ladyfish last April and did pretty well. I can't tell you that they were very discriminating. Most were in the 18-22" range - lots of fun on 6 wgt too bad the smallest I had wasn 8wgt outfit

(Blowfish loved yellow Gurglers - I used to love catching blowfish as a kid in Great South Bay off Long Island!)

My cousins were fishing light spinning tackle and the Seatrout LOVED 4" FinS rubber in all white. Outfished me 2 to 1 easily.

I plan on tying up a bunch of similar sized Eel Punt's in white to imitate them.

Also, the guides off SW Florida were hot on #4 Chartruese over white clousers for the Reds that were finicky...

[boarmountain]

Here is a better pic.
Platform:red bucktail
pillow: Red
tail:rusty brown saddle 2 copper flash
body:gold
collar: yellow
Wing: Natural brown bucktail

[boarmountain]

2nd fly;
Platform: yellow
tail: yellow saddle
Wing and collar: natural brown bucktail
The rest is the same as the first fly.
Both are just under 3" long.

[Too Fly]

Nice flies Boar. You got me thinking I ought to give the flatwings more consideration. I've only tied 2 flatwings since I started tying a couple years ago.

Hey John,

Am I the third party or what?!!! I'm kidding of course. Actually I've checked my P.O. Box(sometimes twice) daily in anticipation of these crabs. No rush though(I leave a week from today)... nyuk nyuk

Paul

[striblue]

Paul..you are I think..I will try to get them out tomorrow in the mail from the main Boston P.O... Or will you be at the Saltwater Edge Tying fair..I could give them to you there... let me know.

[Too Fly]

I won't be able to make it to the Saltwater Edge Tying Fair. Do you need my address again?

Thanks,
Paul

[striblue]

Paul..I have your address and will send tomorrow.

[culley06]

Those look great. I am always on the lookout for a better crab fly. I too am headed to the Bahamas this spring (in fact, leave next Tues) and have a few other trips planned this spring. THe permit so far have rejected my Merkins.
I'd willingly be a tester, if you wish. dave
http://members.fishingworks.com/heron/

[striblue]

Dave, I will be in touch ...got your e-mail.

[MagicSFK]

striblue - I'd really LOVE to test that crab fly in the FL Keys! I'm not sure how much info. you are willing to divulge at this time, but tying instructions, materials used or even a few samples (I'd be glad to pay you costs) would be greatly appreciated. E-mail me at MagicSFK@aol.com when you get a chance and we can discuss. Thanks!

Steve

[striblue]

I sent some to a fellow named Paul from Boston who used it down in the gulf I think and felt that it scared the Bonefish away when he used it.... I will wait for Dick Browns report. he never indicated to me that he thought they were to heavy..but we shall see. He has a bunch of other experimental flies... one way or another I will perfect them as I get input... the brown crabs that the blues are modeled on are extremely effective for stripers and the only crab I would use at Monomoy...not to say other will not work.... I can send you a couple but have not tied any of late... no cost to test them out that's for sure.

[MagicSFK]

They may be a little heavy for bonefish but I'm thinking that they might work well on permit in the Keys. A blue crab (more of a light olive color) is deadly on spinning gear and these certainly appear to be one of the best imitations I've seen in a fly. Nice work.

[striblue]

E-mail me your address and I will send you some and tying instructions..

[MagicSFK]

Thanks. You have mail.

Steve