Saltwater fly-tying 101: Read on for fly tying materials, techniques and the preferred flies for toothy saltwater predators like bluefish and bonito.
Thereβs something satisfying about tying flies for fish with teeth. Not delicate little teeth, either, real teeth. Bluefish are one of the few inshore saltwater species that will destroy not just your leader or your fly, but occasionally your faith in material science.
Theyβre not subtle. They donβt sip. And they definitely donβt βmouthβ your fly like a hesitant trout. They charge it, smash it, shake the hell out of it... In short - a great species to target!
Because of their toothy nature (and the fact that they, usually, aren't fussy( tying flies for bluefish isnβt about artistry or delicate proportions. Itβs about durability, function, and knowing what gets their attentionβfast.
Durability Matters When the Fish Have Cutlery Like A Bluefish Does
You can tie the prettiest fly on the Eastern Seaboard, but if it comes apart after one hit, itβs just expensive marine litter. Bluefish will chew through bucktail, unravel flash, bend hooks, and slice your tippet like it was monofilament spaghetti.
Some tips to make your flies last longer:
- Use tough thread:Β 210 denier is a good place to start. Gel-spun thread works even better if you can tie with it.
- Epoxy or UV resin: Lock in your thread wraps and cover heads liberally. Donβt be shy. Check out some choices here.Β
- Sub out natural feathers: They look good (and a bucktail's action on a clouser is just something else), but bluefish make confetti out of them. Stick with synthetics where possible.
- Wire leader: Use wire tippet or at least 40-50 lb fluorocarbon is a must unless youβre donating flies to the ocean on purpose.Β
Hooks Built for Abuse
Use strong, corrosion-resistant hooks, preferably with a short shank and a wide gap. Brands like Ahrex, Umpqua, and Tiemco (TMC) all make excellent saltwater models that can handle a bluefishβs aggressive take and a prolonged tug-of-war in the surf.
A few recommendations:
- Ahrex SA270:Β A beefy streamer hook with an open bendβexcellent for baitfish patterns.
- TMC 811S: Time-tested and forged strong, this is a go-to for saltwater anglers.
- Umpqua X-Series XS410: Built for hard hooksets and tough mouths.
Match your hook size to your fly, but donβt go too small. Size 4 up to 2/0 is a sweet spot, depending on what kind of baitfish you're imitating.
Top Materials for Bluefish Flies
Think synthetic and think sturdy. Youβre aiming for flash and movement, but also for something that wonβt fall apart after the first fish.
Materials worth keeping at the tying bench:
EP Fibers or SF BlendΒ β Synthetic, durable, and with great action in the water.
Flashabou and Krystal Flash β But don't overdo it. A little flash gets attention; too much looks like tinsel.
UV Epoxy or Solarez β To finish heads or coat entire flies like the Surf Candy.
Bucktail β Still a staple, but donβt expect it to last forever. Good for profile and taper.
Flat Waxed Nylon Thread β Strong enough to hold your fly together through multiple hook-ups. Learn more about when to use what thread, here.
Five Best Flies for Bluefish
If you only had five flies to pack before walking onto a tide-swept beach or poling into a blitz of foam and birds, hereβs what Iβd suggest:
1. EP Baitfish Fly
A modern classic. Tied with Enrico Puglisiβs synthetic fibers, this fly gives you a natural profile, great movement, and enough durability to survive a few fish before getting chewed down to a stub. Tie in chartreuse/white or olive/white with large stick-on eyes and a thick resin head. This fly is one of the required flies of the FFI's Saltwater Award Program. Find out more as well as how to tie it, here.Β
2. Clouser Deep Minnow
Ask any saltwater guide, anywhere in the world, what the one fly is they will never not have in their own box, and the most likely answer would be a clouser minnow. This is a great pattern for bluefish. Tie it with heavy dumbbell eyes for that signature jigging motion. Chartreuse and white is the standard, but gray/white or blue/white work well too. Bucktail's the traditional choice, but consider switching to synthetic (EP works well) if you're tired of your tails getting ripped clean off.
3. Surf Candy
This is a fly that looks simple, but it does everything right. Sparse profile, bright flash, and bulletproof construction. Tie it with Super Hair or Polar Fiber, wrap in flash, then coat the whole thing in UV resin until it feels like a saltwater lollipop. Perfect for clear water or finicky blitzes.
4. Deceiver (Tied Heavy)
This one might be overkill in size, but itβs perfect for mimicking adult bunker or mullet. Tie it with synthetic hackle or long synthetic blend materials to avoid the βshredded chickenβ look after one hit. Add a little flash and a big, bold eye.
5. Half-and-Half
Half Deceiver, half Clouser, all business. With a bucktail tail and dumbbell eyes, this fly drops, swims, and pulses in all the right ways. Itβs one of those patterns that doesnβt look fancy but draws hits when nothing else will.
The (beautiful) truth is that tying bluefish flies is less about perfection and more about preparation. In terms of what your fly 'looks' like they are a very forgiving species. Youβre not trying to fool a PhD student here, youβre targeting a fish that will happily eat anything shiny if it moves right. But you do want flies that will hold up long enough to enjoy the chaos.
If you tie a box full of pretty, fragile flies, that first bluefish will fix your priorities. Fortunately, a little resin, a strong hook, and a few chewed-up fingers are usually all the reminders you need.