Enrico Puglisi EP Spawning Shrimp
The EP Spawning Shrimp is a best-in-class, lifelike shrimp pattern prized for its segmented, translucent profile and subtle articulation that triggers strikes from picky saltwater species. It outperforms bulkier foam and epoxy patterns in realism and hookup rates, and while it sits at a premium price point, its technical construction (weighted eyes, slender profile, and natural micro-motion) makes it the go-to choice when imitating delicate shrimp in clear-water permit and bonefish situations.
Ultra-real profile — shrimp selfie
Curled-tail action — fish flirt
Ultra-real profile — shrimp selfie
Curled-tail action — fish flirt
Review Summary
"Users consistently praise the EP Spawning Shrimp for its lifelike profile, excellent action in the water, and premium materials, though several note the higher price. Overall it’s considered one of the most effective shrimp patterns for saltwater flats and tailing species."
Subtle motion — bonefish bait
Tapered, segmented body that mimics a spawning shrimp’s profile for realistic movement.
Subtle motion — bonefish bait
Tapered, segmented body that mimics a spawning shrimp’s profile for realistic movement.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The EP Spawning Shrimp is a best-in-class, lifelike shrimp pattern prized for its segmented, translucent profile and subtle articulation that triggers strikes from picky saltwater species. It outperforms bulkier foam and epoxy patterns in realism and hookup rates, and while it sits at a premium price point, its technical construction (weighted eyes, slender profile, and natural micro-motion) makes it the go-to choice when imitating delicate shrimp in clear-water permit and bonefish situations.
Ultra-real profile — shrimp selfie
Curled-tail action — fish flirt
Subtle motion — bonefish bait
Tapered, segmented body that mimics a spawning shrimp’s profile for realistic movement.
Fine EP fibers and soft silicone legs provide subtle motion in slow water.
Ultra-real profile — shrimp selfie
Curled-tail action — fish flirt
Subtle motion — bonefish bait
Tapered, segmented body that mimics a spawning shrimp’s profile for realistic movement.
Fine EP fibers and soft silicone legs provide subtle motion in slow water.
$6-12 USD
Umpqua Kung Fu Crab
The Kung Fu Crab is a market-leading, value-oriented crab pattern known for rugged durability and a punchy silhouette that fishes well in heavy cover and surf zones. Compared with more expensive, hyper-realistic flies on this list it delivers broad utility and excellent shelf availability at a lower cost, making it the economical choice for anglers who need confidence and longevity rather than the absolute finest anatomical detail.
Stubby crab silhouette — kung-fu wink
Popping-legs action — karate kick
Stubby crab silhouette — kung-fu wink
Popping-legs action — karate kick
Review Summary
"Anglers appreciate the Umpqua Kung Fu Crab for its realistic silhouette, durable build, and strong hookup rates on crab-hungry species; a few buyers reported occasional variability in finishing. It’s seen as a reliable, good-value crab pattern for a variety of saltwater situations."
Weedy-friendly profile — flats ninja
Compact, low-profile crab silhouette that fishes well flipped or on the bottom.
Weedy-friendly profile — flats ninja
Compact, low-profile crab silhouette that fishes well flipped or on the bottom.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Kung Fu Crab is a market-leading, value-oriented crab pattern known for rugged durability and a punchy silhouette that fishes well in heavy cover and surf zones. Compared with more expensive, hyper-realistic flies on this list it delivers broad utility and excellent shelf availability at a lower cost, making it the economical choice for anglers who need confidence and longevity rather than the absolute finest anatomical detail.
Stubby crab silhouette — kung-fu wink
Popping-legs action — karate kick
Weedy-friendly profile — flats ninja
Compact, low-profile crab silhouette that fishes well flipped or on the bottom.
Durable synthetic materials and lifelike legs create convincing crab action.
Stubby crab silhouette — kung-fu wink
Popping-legs action — karate kick
Weedy-friendly profile — flats ninja
Compact, low-profile crab silhouette that fishes well flipped or on the bottom.
Durable synthetic materials and lifelike legs create convincing crab action.
$4-8 USD
RIO's Epoxy Mantis Shrimp
RIO's Epoxy Mantis Shrimp brings a specialty technical advantage with a glossy, hard-shell epoxy finish that mimics armored crustaceans and holds up extremely well against toothy fish and repeated strikes. It fills a niche between soft-bodied shrimp and bulky foam crabs—trading some of the EP Spawning Shrimp’s micro-action for superior durability and a distinctive flash that can be worth the higher price when targeting aggressive feeders in stained water.
Epoxy head — indestructo
Glassy sheen — flashy bite
Epoxy head — indestructo
Glassy sheen — flashy bite
Review Summary
"RIO's Epoxy Mantis Shrimp is lauded for its realistic translucence and effective action, but some users mention epoxy chipping and edge-case durability issues after extended use. Most buyers find it very effective when targeting mantis-eating species despite the longevity concerns."
Weight-forward drop — quick sink
High-gloss epoxy carapace reproduces the hard-bodied look of a mantis shrimp.
Weight-forward drop — quick sink
High-gloss epoxy carapace reproduces the hard-bodied look of a mantis shrimp.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
RIO's Epoxy Mantis Shrimp brings a specialty technical advantage with a glossy, hard-shell epoxy finish that mimics armored crustaceans and holds up extremely well against toothy fish and repeated strikes. It fills a niche between soft-bodied shrimp and bulky foam crabs—trading some of the EP Spawning Shrimp’s micro-action for superior durability and a distinctive flash that can be worth the higher price when targeting aggressive feeders in stained water.
Epoxy head — indestructo
Glassy sheen — flashy bite
Weight-forward drop — quick sink
High-gloss epoxy carapace reproduces the hard-bodied look of a mantis shrimp.
Vivid color schemes and segmented shine attract curious saltwater predators.
Epoxy head — indestructo
Glassy sheen — flashy bite
Weight-forward drop — quick sink
High-gloss epoxy carapace reproduces the hard-bodied look of a mantis shrimp.
Vivid color schemes and segmented shine attract curious saltwater predators.
$5-10 USD
Flymen Fishing Company Shrimp & Cray Crawler
The Shrimp & Cray Crawler is designed for lifelike crawling action along bottoms and mangrove edges, offering a purposeful gait that entices cruising species more effectively than passive presentations. Technically optimized for retrieve variation, it serves as a versatile mid-price complement to the list—less anatomically refined than Enrico Puglisi’s flies but often more productive when a twitchy, bottom-hugging motion is required.
Dual-species mimic — two-for-one
Creeping crawl action — sneaky snack
Dual-species mimic — two-for-one
Creeping crawl action — sneaky snack
Review Summary
"Flymen Fishing Company’s Shrimp & Cray Crawler is praised for its lifelike movement, attention to detail, and excellent sink rates; experienced anglers report consistent strikes and good durability. It’s regarded as a versatile, high-performing pattern for both shrimp and small crustacean presentations."
Foam buoyancy — slow hover
Flattened, articulated body encourages a natural skittering crawl on the substrate.
Foam buoyancy — slow hover
Flattened, articulated body encourages a natural skittering crawl on the substrate.
Recreational Enjoyment
The Shrimp & Cray Crawler is designed for lifelike crawling action along bottoms and mangrove edges, offering a purposeful gait that entices cruising species more effectively than passive presentations. Technically optimized for retrieve variation, it serves as a versatile mid-price complement to the list—less anatomically refined than Enrico Puglisi’s flies but often more productive when a twitchy, bottom-hugging motion is required.
Dual-species mimic — two-for-one
Creeping crawl action — sneaky snack
Foam buoyancy — slow hover
Flattened, articulated body encourages a natural skittering crawl on the substrate.
Flexible legs and claws produce lifelike motion when twitched or stripped.
Dual-species mimic — two-for-one
Creeping crawl action — sneaky snack
Foam buoyancy — slow hover
Flattened, articulated body encourages a natural skittering crawl on the substrate.
Flexible legs and claws produce lifelike motion when twitched or stripped.
$6-12 USD
Enrico Puglisi EP Permit Crab
The EP Permit Crab is a purpose-built, compact crab pattern engineered to match the squat silhouette and shallow profile that trigger permit and other crab-eating species. It is more specialized and often pricier than generalist crabs like the Kung Fu Crab, but its low-profile, weed-shedding design and precisely balanced weight make it the top choice when targeting selective permit on flats where accuracy and presentation trump cost.
Crab-profile accuracy — permit whisper
Articulated legs — lifelike karate
Crab-profile accuracy — permit whisper
Articulated legs — lifelike karate
Review Summary
"The EP Permit Crab from Enrico Puglisi is frequently called a best-in-class permit pattern—exceptionally realistic, durable, and deadly on picky permit—though it carries a premium price. Reviewers overwhelmingly report strong hookup and release rates, making it a go-to for serious permit anglers."
Weedless design — flats-friendly
Low-profile crab pattern scaled and colored specifically for targeting permit.
Weedless design — flats-friendly
Low-profile crab pattern scaled and colored specifically for targeting permit.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The EP Permit Crab is a purpose-built, compact crab pattern engineered to match the squat silhouette and shallow profile that trigger permit and other crab-eating species. It is more specialized and often pricier than generalist crabs like the Kung Fu Crab, but its low-profile, weed-shedding design and precisely balanced weight make it the top choice when targeting selective permit on flats where accuracy and presentation trump cost.
Crab-profile accuracy — permit whisper
Articulated legs — lifelike karate
Weedless design — flats-friendly
Low-profile crab pattern scaled and colored specifically for targeting permit.
Subtle shell and leg materials offer understated presentation on wary fish.
Crab-profile accuracy — permit whisper
Articulated legs — lifelike karate
Weedless design — flats-friendly
Low-profile crab pattern scaled and colored specifically for targeting permit.
Subtle shell and leg materials offer understated presentation on wary fish.
$6-12 USD