Bonefish worldwide have a diet that is largely comprised of crustaceans, such as crabs, shrimp, and juvenile lobsters. That is why flies that mimic these creatures are often the best bonefish patterns. There are many times when crab flies are the best patterns to use for bonefish, as they are easy to handle and manage on the part of the angler, and in deeper water, they get down to the fish fast.
Using Crab Flies for Bonefish in Shallow Water
As bonefish are finicky in shallow water, light crab flies with small lead or bead chain eyes are the best crab patterns to use in the shallows. And, following a universal rule when fly fishing for bonefish, the color of the fly pattern should match the color of the bottom. Over hard, white sand bottoms, small light tan patterns are best. Over muddy bottoms, tan and brown patterns work well. And when fishing for bonefish in turtle grass, olive colored patterns seem to do the trick. As bonefish are easily spooked, dark flies over a white bottom will seem so out of place that they may actually frighten the fish. small raghead crabs, Del Brown's merkins, and Enrico Puglisi crab patterns are among the best flies to use for bonefish in the shallows.
Best Crab Flies for Bonefish in Deeper Water
In deep water, the best bonefish flies are the ones that are heavy enough to sink themselves in a relatively short time. Larger crab patterns with heavy lead eyes will take even smaller fish, so anglers should not hold the opinion that big crabs will not be picked up by average-sized bonefish. Large Puglisi fleeing crab flies, as well as typical merkin-style patterns are excellent flies, although some shrimp/crab hybrid patterns, such as Dorsey's kwan fish very well. When using these larger flies, the pattern may rest on the bottom until the fish pass over the area, at which point it should be retrieved with long slow strips. Over bottoms with thick grass or coral, it is better to keep the fly moving with constant strips, or the fly may become snagged. Weedless crab patterns are great in areas of thick grass. As some deeper waters are murkier, a fly with flash, or fire-tipped rubber legs (legs with bright orange or pink at the tip) may also be necessary.
How to Strip Crab Flies for Bonefish
Crab flies should be allowed to rest on the bottom in shallow water, after being cast several feet ahead of the fish, and then retrieved with slow strips when the fish get close. At times, a number of short strips is best, but for the most part, long, slow strips keeps the pattern looking like a crab swimming along the bottom. When fish are very finicky, leaving the fly motionless on the bottom may work, and if the fly is not picked up when the fish pass over it, it should be stripped a couple of inches, to get the fish's attention. In deeper water areas, fish are not as picky, and will pursue a crab fly that is constantly moving. Once the fish get near the fly, the stripping should begin, and not let up until the fish have turned away. Crab flies are most productive when they are retrieved along the outside of a school of fish. For single bonefish, the fly should not be stripped until the fish is close to, and facing, the fly. If the fish turns, although there is no predicting its actions, it may be a good idea to leave the fly on the bottom for a minute, as bonefish often spin back around after veering away from a fly.
Crab flies are some of the best patterns to use when fly fishing for bonefish, and they also work well for permit, which generally inhabit the same waters. Knowing which patterns to use is important, as water depth, water clarity, bottom color, and the overall attitudes of bonefish will cause certain flies to be more productive than others.
 |
