Tie a Boogie Crab Number 9  Catch More Redfish

by John E. Wood

Slowly and silently drifting across the surface of the Texas marsh in a borrowed kayak, my “bug guy” mentality was showing. Nick Haxhijaj (hi-gee-eye) had just called for the second time in ten minutes, “Where are you? Get out here; there are dozens of fish tailing at the opening to the bay.” His tone was urgent, as if the fish would suddenly disappear, which they sometimes do. But I was busy checking out the crabs.

I was struck by the behavior of the seemingly endless population of these energetic little crustaceans. As I drifted over them in the kayak, the majority would scramble for cover or bury themselves. The rest took on a defensive position, body elevated on eight tiny legs with claws raised toward their perceived threat. My guess is they were trying to appear larger than their 1.5-inch diameter size and letting me know they were ready to fight. The first thing that came to mind was the crabs feeding on the pipe in Disney’s Finding Nemo.

Still mesmerized, studying one from about 6 feet, the spell was broken when a sheepshead darted from several feet away and engulfed the distracted crab. Undisturbed by my presence, another sheepshead picked off another crab a few feet from the first. Just like that, the show was over. The phone rang again. It was my first time on a kayak in this marsh. Nick was getting concerned I had taken a wrong turn in the labyrinth of channels. I told him what I was up to. “I’m not surprised,” he said. “Get out here.”

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Bio: John E. Wood is a writer, photographer, and fly designer currently living in Billings, Montana. Find his other creations at jwoodflyfish.com.