| Small soft shell crabs and small blue crabs make | | | | regurgitate whatever they have eaten recently. |
| up a large part of the diet of the saltwater fish | | | | The first large Tarpon (91 lbs) I ever caught on a |
| that inhabit the shallower saltwater habitats. | | | | fly rod was in the Tampa Bay and it threw up |
| I started fly fishing when I was around seven | | | | one minnow and several crabs. |
| years old with my uncle in the mountains of | | | | There are several species of saltwater fish that |
| Virginia. My first experience saltwater fly fishing | | | | spend most if not all of their lives in the bays, |
| happened when I was about twenty three years | | | | sounds, flats and the protected areas between a |
| old on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That | | | | reef and the shore. The most notable of these |
| particular trip, like my first fly fishing trip with my | | | | are the Bonefish, Snook and the Permit. A large |
| uncle was one of my most memorable fly fishing | | | | portion of the Permits diet consists of small crabs |
| trips ever. Partly because it was my first time fly | | | | and Bonefish will always feed on small crabs. I |
| fishing saltwater but mostly because the weather | | | | have also caught Pompano in the Florida Keys and |
| was great and the fish were everywhere. Now at | | | | in Belize that regurgitated crabs. In the southern |
| sixty years old I cannot even count the number | | | | waters of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and |
| of times or all the places in the world I have been | | | | Mexico the spotted sea trout are year round |
| saltwater fly fishing. I am also blessed at my age | | | | inhabitants that also often feed on small crabs. |
| to be in excellent health and very fit. | | | | There are many variations of saltwater fly fishing |
| All species of soft shell crabs are, for the most | | | | crabs available. Some are made of yarn, feathers, |
| part, born in the backwaters of sounds, bays and | | | | and coated foam. I personally think the coated |
| saltwater areas protected by reefs. As they | | | | foam crabs look more realistic and have found |
| grow larger they will migrate to somewhat | | | | them to be most productive. |
| deeper water and even into the open ocean. | | | | I do hope you find this information useful and |
| Migratory species and spawning species of | | | | always remember to check the saltwater |
| saltwater fish often will either spawn in or enter | | | | regulations regarding species, size and bag limits |
| the back bays, sounds or the calm water | | | | on the fish you can keep. If you can keep enough |
| between a reef and the beach to feed. Some but | | | | for a great dinner than do so but always release |
| not all of these species include Redfish, Tarpon, | | | | the rest so that we and our chandler and |
| Bluefish, Drum, False Albacore, Stripers and more. | | | | grandchildren will be able to enjoy the sport we |
| As fish often do when caught, they will | | | | love. |