Ragshead Crab Fly

About the Ragshead Crab Saltwater Fly

The Raghead Crab is a proven permit crab fly built to look like a small crab hugging the bottom, with just enough leg movement to trigger that all-important “tip down and eat” moment. Its bulky, mottled body and splayed rubber legs, creates a convincing crab silhouette that stays visible over sand, rubble and turtle grass without needing loads of flash.

This version uses a buoyant, raggy body that holds shape, weighted eyes to help it settle correctly, and barred legs for natural movement; a really effective saltwater crab pattern when fish are tracking slowly and inspecting closely.

Fishing Tips:

How it works

• Proper crab footprint: The wider, squat body profile reads instantly as a crab rather than a shrimp or baitfish.
• Sits and scoots naturally: Weighted eyes help it drop into the feeding zone and keep it tracking with a realistic posture.
• “Alive” at rest: The rubber legs and fibres keep waving even when the fly is paused; often what convinces wary permit.
• High-contrast target: The rough, textured body gives definition on mixed bottom, making it easier for fish to pick out.

How to fish it

• Lead the fish and let the fly settle. With permit especially, the first move matters—give it a second to “become real”.
• Use tiny strips and long pauses. Think crab: short scoots, then stop. If you over-strip, it stops looking like a crab.
• If the fish tips down, don’t move it. Let the fish commit, then make a firm strip-strike.
• When fish are nervous, go even subtler: one short strip, pause, repeat. When they’re pushing hard, a slightly quicker scoot can trigger a reaction.
• Keep the rod low and strip-strike (then lift once you feel solid weight).

Tier of this saltwater fly: Mandy Shelvey

Country of origin for this saltwater fly: America