EP-Style Saltwater Baitfish Fly – Synthetic Baitfish for Snook and Predator Fish

A go-to baitfish pattern for saltwater predators, developed and fished by Capt. Ken Tutalo while guiding Florida’s flats and backcountry. This EP-style baitfish features translucent synthetic materials, a natural sink rate and an erratic swimming action that makes it especially effective for snook and other aggressive game fish.

Description

EP-style baitfish patterns have become a standard in saltwater fly fishing for good reason. Their streamlined profile and lifelike appearance make them an excellent imitation of the small baitfish that predators feed on.

Capt. Ken’s version is tied with a specialized synthetic wing material that holds water, creating a steady, slow sink rate. When wet, the material takes on a translucent appearance that gives the fly a more natural baitfish look.

This is a silhouette-style fly designed to keel and roll when stripped with an erratic retrieve. That unpredictable movement suggests a wounded or vulnerable baitfish, often triggering an aggressive response from nearby predators.

This is one of Capt. Ken’s first-choice patterns when guiding for snook and other saltwater predators on the Florida flats.

Why Fish an EP-Style Baitfish?

Predatory fish are programmed to take advantage of vulnerable forage. The combination of a translucent profile and an erratic swimming action makes this fly especially effective when fish are chasing or reacting to small baitfish.

Its versatility is another major advantage. Fished on a floating line, it can cover water from just below the surface to approximately six feet deep, depending on current, retrieve and conditions.

While this is a proven saltwater guide fly, the same baitfish profile and action make it useful for freshwater predators as well.

How to Fish It

Fish this fly with a floating line and vary your retrieve to create an unpredictable swimming action.

Try a combination of short, sharp strips and pauses. The fly's synthetic material holds water and helps it sink steadily between strips. Experiment with retrieve speed and pauses until you find what triggers the fish.

For snook, work mangrove edges, potholes, grass flats, channels and other areas where baitfish gather.

Capt. Ken’s Guide Tips

This is the fly Capt. Ken starts with when guiding for snook and other Florida saltwater predators. It is an excellent searching pattern when you aren't sure exactly what the fish are feeding on.

Don't be afraid to vary your retrieve. A wounded baitfish rarely swims in a perfectly straight line. Short, erratic strips followed by a pause can make the fly look vulnerable and give following fish an opportunity to commit.

Fly Details

• Pattern: EP-Style Saltwater Baitfish

• Hook: Sturdy #2/0 saltwater hook

• Total Length: Approximately 4 inches

• Material: Specialized synthetic wing material

• Appearance: Translucent when wet

• Sink Rate: Steady, slow sink

• Fishing Depth: Just below the surface to approximately 6 feet on a floating line, depending on conditions

• Retrieve: Erratic strips and pauses

• Target Species: Snook, redfish, striped bass and other saltwater and freshwater predators

A proven guide fly for Florida flats fishing and a versatile baitfish imitation for anglers targeting predatory game fish.

Offered in 5 color combinations and several Custom Selections

Chartreuse / White, Olive / White, Yellow / White, Blue / White, Olive / Yellow barred.

PLEASE NOTE For Selections you will need to choose either 1 each color or 3 each color