SaltwaterDanger Muffin Crab
The Danger Muffin Crab is a highly realistic crab pattern designed to fool the wariest flats fish. This innovative design combines a sculpted deer hair shell with Ultra Chenille legs, rabbit strip body, and Cohen's Crab Claws to create a natural profile that permit and bonefish find irresistible. The pattern sinks claws-down like a natural crab in a defensive posture, presenting the ideal target for cruising predators.
Year Round
Advanced
Bonefish, Permit, Redfish
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases an innovative approach to tying realistic crab imitations for demanding flats species. The combination of deer hair for the shell and rabbit strip provides both realistic appearance and enticing movement in the water. The Furry Foam underbody creates bulk while the Cohen's Crab Claws add the distinctive pincer profile that permit key on when feeding. The jig hook orientation ensures the fly rides point-up to minimize snagging on the bottom.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Umpqua XS506 Jig Hook, #2
Thread: UTC 140, light olive
Eyes (Weight): Lead Eyes, small or medium
Weight: Lead Wire, .020
Shell Body: Spinning Deer Hair, olive and natural, with Magnum Rabbit Strip, olive variant
Adhesive: Zap-Goo
Underbody: Furry Foam, light olive
Legs: Ultra Chenille, olive
Eyes (Crab): Ultra Chenille, black
Claws: Cohen's Crab Claws
Fishing Tips
Season
Year-round effectiveness in tropical and subtropical flats environments. Most productive when targeting permit, bonefish, and redfish in shallow water where crabs are abundant forage.
Presentation
Cast well ahead of approaching fish and let the fly sink to the bottom. Use short, subtle strips to make the crab appear to scuttle defensively, then let it rest. Permit especially respond to a fly that sits motionless on the bottom.
When to Use
Select this pattern for permit fishing on hard sand or turtle grass flats, or when bonefish are tailing on crabs. The realistic profile shines in gin-clear water where fish have time to inspect their prey.
Water Type
Designed for saltwater flats fishing over sand, grass, and mixed bottoms. The lead eyes and wire ensure proper sink rate while the jig hook keeps the point up for snag-free retrieves.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-10 weight rod for permit, 8 weight for bonefish. Use 12-16 lb fluorocarbon tippet for abrasion resistance and invisibility. A 9-12 foot leader allows delicate presentations to spooky fish.
Visibility & Floatation
The olive coloration matches natural crabs found on most flats. The lead eyes ensure the fly sinks quickly and lands claws-up in the defensive posture that triggers strikes from feeding permit.
