Sand Flea Flies..???

[Habu-MFFI 175]

Does anyone have a good sand flea/sand fiddler/mole crab fly?? Are they productive???

I know there are loads of sand fleas in the area right now and the pomps and sea mullet are killing them. I am trying to figure out what would make a good fly and is if it is feasable to use em in the surf for pomps.

My fishing buddy and I will be done on the coast for a few days surf fishing and thought that might be something to look into.

Thanks for any info


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[craigepo]

I am glad to know that there is actually a purpose for a sand flea, other than biting the crap out of me while standing in formation in PT shorts.

I hope the fish kill them all.

I wonder if you could lure fish by dragging a private in PT gear behind a boat, have him slap his legs, and thereby lead the fish to believe "sand fleas are biting that young Ranger, let's go eat the sand fleas"? Maybe add a squad leader yelling "you can't swat at the position of attention" for some added realism?

[Habu-MFFI 175]

This is the sand flea/sand fiddler/mole crab.... I was talking about....:D

http://amelia-island-fishing.com/fishing/articles/catching%20sand%20fleas.cfm

[JJ_BPK]

This is the sand flea/sand fiddler/mole crab.... I was talking about....:D

http://amelia-island-fishing.com/fishing/articles/catching%20sand%20fleas.cfm

Not sure how they act in the water.

But the small crab that are tied for Permit/Pompano/Tarpon are similar in size and shape.

Del's Merkin would be a good starting point.

The ones in this pic I tied with alternating cream & brown heavy yarn. I used cut pieces of rubber bands for legs. Added shot for the ones I wanted to sink. The feathers are to cause a small wade during retrieve. I used 1/0 & 4/0 hooks.

Here is a commercial pic:

http://www.saltwaterflies.com/permitcrab.html

[Habu-MFFI 175]

I think pickings are going to be pretty slim here..but I think I'm going with something in this range. Something with a bright orange, pink, or rootbeer estaz colors. These colors are close to the eggs that the female flea has on her belly.

With a lot of surf and wave action the fish have to hit what is there at the moment or lose it to another fish or the food escapes. I have seen a few Gottcha plugs dragged across the bottom catch pomps. I believe they were hitting at the head, red and orange colors.

I do have a crab patter that is very simular to what you are showing me. I tied mine in more of a purple and pink colors. The 1 arm bandits around Topsail take on those colors or close to them.

Thanks for the link and fly ideas.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/crab004.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/sandflea001.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/sandflea004.jpg

[Habu-MFFI 175]

continued

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/sandflea002.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/sandflea005.jpg


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[mark46th]

Out here on the Left Coast, we call them sand crabs. They usually have hard shells but when they moult, the shell is soft. When they are in this stage, they are a great bait for surf fishing...

[Habu-MFFI 175]

I tweeked my flies some and came up with these...

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/sandflea007.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/flea004.jpg
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z250/bshobbs/Flies/flea006.jpg
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