This is one of my favorite big tarpon Everglades flies. Tied on the Gamakatsu 600SP and bead chain eyes, this fly gets down and has a large silhouette for the larger fish!
This is a go to pattern for snook and tarpon cruising the banks or on shallower mud flats. The deer-hair keeps the fly slightly higher in the water and off the grass/mud. Perfect for a ton of situations, this fly is highly recommend in the Everglades/Backcountry areas.
This is a must have fly almost anywhere you go. It can be tied in multiple color patterns to match any situation you find yourself in. It's a lightweight pattern and easy to throw due to the water shedding attributes of the Enrico Puglisi Fibers
Bonefish, Bonefish, Bonefish. This is a go-to for me when on the bonefish flats. From Biscayne Bay down to Key West. This fly lands softly, Has the perfect amount of movement, and the bonefish just can't resist it.
Permit on the brain, Choker crab on the tippet! When you need a fly that has been a proven permit pattern, tie up the Choker Crab. Bruce Chard has created this pattern to fish permit in South East Florida. This fly enters the water quietly and rides hook-point up due to the orientation of the deer hair.
When you need a quick, easy to tie, big baitfish for tarpon or large snook look no further. I made this pattern up for throwing along seawalls and docks for larger laid up fish. It's actually very easy to cast as their is much material on this fly.
A simple effective bonefish and redfish fly that gets the job done. No frills, load the box with multiple weights and sizes quickly.
This Bendback baitfish is the perfect beach snook baitfish fly. This pattern was made by me for those days snook sit along the East Coast beaches covered in sargasm. With a perfect whitebait/greenback imitation this fly is sure to get the job done for those large summertime beach snook.
I came up with this pattern for one specific reason, snakehead on fly. This is an extremely lightweight fly with nothing that is not needed. I use this fly on a 5-6 weight rod and walk the bank for snakeheads. This pattern is the most weedless pattern I could think of with still having a decent hook-up ratio. You can slide this fly along rock banks and think lilypad and not worry. I tie it in black just for the dark silhouette it gives below the surface. This pattern has caught an insane amount of snakeheads and it just keeps racking them up.
When it comes to oceanside tarpon, this pattern is my go-to. I love the movement of the rabbit tail along with the ability to adjust the sink rate with the X-wrapped head of the EP fibers. This is a go-to Florida Keys patterns. This pattern is also tied with marabou as a tail but I personally choose the rabbit tail over marabou.
When it comes to movement in a fly pattern, this one sure has it. The Finesse game changer is an all-around great baitfish fly pattern. Used in saltwater or freshwater, this fly gets eaten. Snook, Largemouth, peacock bass can't resist this movement of this fly. Large oversized eyes for predators to key on help as well. This pattern is easy to throw due to the water shedding attributes of the body material.
Chum them up and hang on tight. This Shark bait fly is the perfect large shark pattern. One of the best ways to hook these large sharks on the fly is by chumming them up and laying this pattern down in front of them. The large schlappen feathers flutter in the water looking like dead prey waiting to be eaten.
Caribbean bonefish beware. This is one of the staple patterns used for bonefish all around the Caribbean islands. The Bahamas, Mexico, Aruba, Caymans and more, this pattern has been notorious for catching plenty of fish on the flats. This fly has ample movement, lands softly, and entices an eat from any bonefish that comes close.
A permit snack. This fly falls quickly and gets down to cruising permit fast. The tubing material allows for water flow through this pattern. A more realistic look for a fly that is sure to grab their attention. Slow long strips normally get permit commit to this fly. Try to match the color of the crabs in the area that the permit you will be fishing for are eating. A good rule of thumb is to match the bottom color.
This larger baitfish pattern is very effective in the waters off Southeast Florida. It has a thin, large profile that helps it sink quickly to where the fish are. Designed for larger pelagic fish such as dolphin, tuna, kingfish, wahoo, and sailfish, I use this pattern with a 10-weight rod and Rio T-11 7-8 Ips sinking fly line.
Most of our fish are between 100 and 400 feet of water . I use this fly when chumming and dredging. Targeting blackfin tuna and wahoo, I let the fly sink to around 60-70 feet before retrieving it.
This pattern is extremely durable, thanks to synthetic materials, flash, and softex. Its large eyes help predators spot it even in darker, deeper waters.
The Gummy Minnow pattern is a simple baitfish fly that is highly effective. The sili skin material used to tie this fly is extremely durable, showing no signs of wear even after catching multiple fish. I appreciate how this fly sinks slightly faster than most patterns. It proves deadly in multiple conditions, from the murky waters of mangroves to the crystal-clear beaches of Florida, grabbing the attention of everything that swims. (Especially Bonita/False albacore, snook, and tarpon_
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