SaltwaterEP Anchovy
The EP Anchovy is an effective saltwater pattern designed by Enrico Puglisi. It mimics an anchovy baitfish and is known for its irresistible movement in the water, enticing predatory fish.
Year Round
Intermediate
Tarpon, Jacks, Bluefish
Nov 2025
Overview
A saltwater baitfish imitation built with EP Fibers in translucent olive, white, and pearl blends. The body is shaped using layering and trimming techniques for a realistic silhouette. Eyes are glued on and sealed with UV resin. Great for flats or bluewater fishing.
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 811S, size #2-#4
Thread: White Danville's 210 denier
Body: Pearl E-Z Body Tube - Medium
Wing/Flash: Silver EP Fibers, Pearl Flashabou
Eyes: Medium silver 3D eyes
Glue/Finish: Solarez Bone Dry UV Resin
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Baitfish school tightly but injured individuals lag behind, struggling to maintain position. Their erratic swimming and flashing sides trigger aggressive strikes from predators.
Where Trout Eat It: Predators patrol drop-offs, channel edges, and structure where baitfish schools concentrate.
How to Fish It: Strip with varying speeds to mimic fleeing or wounded baitfish. Pause to let the fly sink and flutter.
Best Water: Work drop-offs with depth changes, channel swings where baitfish funnel, and structure providing ambush cover.
Strike Type: Feel jarring strikes as predators crush the fly, often during the pause or speed change.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use 40-60 pound fluorocarbon leader and 20-30 pound tippet to withstand strikes from large predatory fish. Match tippet size to fly size and target species.
Seasonal Timing: Effective during peak feeding periods when water temperatures and conditions support active feeding behavior.
Pro Tips: The 3D eyes and shiny EP fibers create realistic flash that triggers aggressive strikes. Let the fly sink 2-3 feet after landing before beginning retrieve to get below wary surface feeders.
Entomology
Anchovies form massive, tightly packed schools in nearshore waters, exhibiting rapid directional changes and silvery flashing that attracts predators from distance. Gamefish drive anchovy schools to the surface and target stragglers whose erratic movements and separated positions make them vulnerable, providing quick, energy-rich meals during feeding frenzies.
- Organism Type
- baitfish
- Life Stage
- general