Redfish Floating Sargassum Crab – by Ocean Flies (John Antignano)

The Redfish Floating Sargassum Crab is a highly realistic floating crab imitation crafted by Florida tyer John Antignano of Ocean Flies. Built on a #2 hook and designed around a FlatsCraft Sargassum Crab Body, this pattern captures the exact size, profile, and buoyancy of small weedline crabs that drift across Gulf and Atlantic grass mats. The tan coloration and mottled texture match natural sargassum crabs perfectly, making it deadly in shallow sight-fishing scenarios when redfish are feeding high in the water column or cruising under floating debris.

This pattern sits high, pushes a subtle wake, and delivers a gentle, natural landing—ideal for pressured fish, spooky fish, and clear water conditions. The combination of lightweight materials and FlatsCraft’s molded legs creates lifelike posture and micro-movement with almost no retrieve needed.

How to Fish It

Fish the Floating Sargassum Crab anywhere redfish are hunting along grasslines, floating mats, or shallow sandy edges. Present it tight to cover or structure, let it rest, and only twitch it enough to simulate a drifting crab bumping along the surface. Short strips or micro-twitches make the legs pulse and help the fly “come alive” without spooking fish.
Best on floating lines or clear intermediates with long leaders for subtle presentations.

Target Species

• Redfish

• Snook (when keyed on surface crabs)

• Seatrout

• Juvenile tarpon around weedlines

• Tripletail holding near floating sargassum