As seen in the film The Silent Spotter, by RA Beattie and Off the Grid Studios, touring with the International Fly Fishing Film Festival.
Designed by Yucatán-based guide Tommy Batun, this innovative fly was inspired by the crabs drifting in sargasso mats along the flats. Deaf since birth, Tommy developed the pattern as a way to outsmart picky permit, turning a personal challenge into one of the most effective new designs in saltwater fly fishing.
Tied to ride low and natural on the surface film, Tommy’s Floating Crab presents an irresistible silhouette to cruising permit. Its buoyant body and balanced profile allow it to suspend naturally, mimicking the look and behavior of real crabs. Carefully crafted legs, eyes and other details allow for subtle movement, triggering instinctive strikes even from the wariest fish.
Now available, for the first time, Tommy’s Floating Crab is more than just a pattern, it’s a story of innovation, perseverance, and authenticity on the water. Whether you’re stalking permit in the Yucatán or exploring crab-rich flats anywhere in the world, this fly is ready for the challenge.
Key Features:
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Designed by guide Tommy Batun in the Yucatán
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Inspired by sargasso crabs drifting in the currents
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Floats low in the film for a natural silhouette
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Balanced profile and subtle movement
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Proven effective on permit and other crab-eating flats species