Crab Eaters

Picture fishing turquoise blue water with floating beds of sargassum drifting on the surface, scanning for high-riding Permit searching for crabs. It’s as exciting as saltwater flats fishing gets, and Xcalak in Mexico will see me return every year for this special event.

There is no doubt – fishing for Permit is my absolute favourite thing to do with a fly rod. In recent years we’ve started exploring the potential of enticing these elusive fish with floating crab flies. A visual spectacle that is hard to put into words.

The single-hand 7X 990 is my go-to rod for fishing floating crabs. These flies are not easy to turn over into the wind, and the 7X gives me the backbone I need to deliver the imitations accurately.

Having a reel with a smooth drag for lighter leaders and a large arbor to keep up with a Permit’s quick reaction is of utmost importance. The Opti Gyre is my reel of choice for most flats scenarios, it can handle pretty much anything.

The line I prefer to use for most of my flats fishing is the Cortland All-Purpose Taper. This line allows me to deliver long, accurate casts while turning over longer leaders.

Over the past few years we’ve experimented with different styles of floating crabs. For me, the fundamentals are a large proud gape hook, strong sharp wire, and a pattern that matches the size and shape of natural crabs while allowing maximum movement. Creating a wake on the surface is what often gets Permit to commit.

Leader-wise, I usually tie my own. But for this scenario I use a 20lbs 12ft tapered leader, then add a section of 16lbs fluorocarbon as the tippet. The tapered leader reduces knots that might catch in the sargassum. Total length is usually 16–18ft depending on wind conditions.

There’s no better set up, and there’s no better challenge.