Sand eels aren’t eels, actually. They’re fish. They’re just shaped like eels. Whatever – they’re the most common bait you’ll encounter in coastal New England. Sand eels typically range from 2 to 4 inches in length. They have silver bellies and tan to olive backs. The Epoxy Sand Eel pattern is a good imitator and a durable and easy-to-cast fly. We’ve included 2 sand eel flies, one each in pale green and olive.

The Surf Candy is a pattern that can be used for a variety of baitfish. It’s our favorite pattern when the fish are feeding on Silversides. Silversides are a prototypical “minnow” with a silver belly, olive back, and a silver stripe down its side. Slightly bulkier than a sand eel. Our Surf Candies are tied accordingly, to “match the hatch.” 2 per box.

Deceivers are a great choice when the fish are keyed on peanut bunker – juvenile menhaden about 2-3 inches long. Peanut bunker have a deeper body than sand eels or silversides; more short and oblong than long and thin. They have a silvery side, with dark coloring on top. They swim in tight schools and
will “flash” sideways occasionally. The Deceiver provides a deeper profile that is a greater imitator of the shape of flash of a peanut bunker. 1 white with an olive back, 1 white with a yellow back. 1 each per box.

Sooner or later, you’re going to run into bluefish. They’ll bite off one of the flies in this box. Sorry. No worries – we’ve got you covered. Tie a one-inch loop in your leader, attach this fly (pre-tied with 25 Lb. wire bite) by loop-to-loop connection, and show them who’s boss! Although, once they jump out of the water and fight like crazy, who’s the boss may not be entirely clear… 1 bluefish fly per box.

Clousers are weighted flies that will sink in the water column to reach fish feeding down deep or right on the bottom. The clousers we’ve included here are thin, generally intended to mimic sand eels – which “flee” predators by racing to the bottom and burying themselves in the sand. We’ve included 3 clousers, one each in chartreuse/white, olive/white, and blurple (black/purple).

As a “welcome to the club” extra, we’ve included 3 hand-tied fluorocarbon leaders in the Starter Kit. Looped butt end, 7 feet long, 15# tippet. Enjoy!