Bay anchovies, sometimes called “rain bait” or glass minnows, are EVERYWHERE in saltwater. They inhabit bays and estuaries and migrate along beaches from late summer through fall. Stripers, blues, and Albies love them, often to the exclusion of larger baits. Because of their sheer numbers, fish get very picky about the size, profile, color, and movement of imitations, so matching the hatch is key. The Bay Anchovy, based on the Hoo Fly platform, has the exact shape, color and translucence of the real deal and is responsible for many days of epic Albie and striper fishing. And because so many baits in tropical locations feature a similar profile and coloration, the Bay Anchovy a killer pattern for back bay tarpon sipping little minnows and roosterfish and skipjacks keyed in on smaller sardinas and herring. It’s got a long track record of success and is one of the best small baitfish flies we’ve ever used!
