The best epoxy fly for false albacore is a slim, translucent Surf Candy — a resin-coated synthetic baitfish, one to three inches long, tied on a strong saltwater hook and fished on an intermediate line. The resin locks the materials into a durable body that survives hard-mouthed fish and the bluefish that blitz alongside them, and it adds the translucency albies key on. Size and profile matter more than color, and the fly line, not the weight of the fly, does most of the work of setting depth.
Tying the Surf Candy Step by Step
Start with a 2X-heavy, 2X-short saltwater hook — a size 1/0 for a general candy, size 1–2 for most albie work, and down to size 4–6 for tiny bay-anchovy imitations. Use monofilament thread, which disappears under the resin. Tie in a sparse belly of white or clear synthetic hair (Candy Crush Niceabou, Super Hair, or similar), about two dozen fibers folded back, then a back of olive, gray, or chartreuse over the top. Run a strand of large pearl Flashabou along each flank as a lateral line, kept slightly longer than the body hair. Add 3-D prism or Fish-Skull Living Eyes sized to the bait.
Then build the resin in stages rather than one heavy coat: a thick coat to lock the eyes and materials, cured; a thin coat to fill the flanks, cured while rotating so it doesn’t sag; and an ultra-thin skim (Solarez Bone Dry is common) to smooth the surface and boost translucency. Pinch the wing tight while the resin is wet for a slim silhouette, or push it forward for a fatter, water-pushing profile. Trim the tail to a staggered, tapered shape. Most modern tyers use UV-cured resin instead of two-part epoxy because it cures on demand under a torch — though many still consider good epoxy the tougher long-term finish.
Hooks, Line, and Sizing
The hook is the other half of durability. It has to be small enough to match a one-to-three-inch baitfish and strong enough to hold a fish that fights like a tuna. The Gamakatsu SL12S is heavy and strong for big fish; the Gamakatsu SC15-2H runs small with extra wire strength; the Ahrex SA280 Saltwater Minnow is a stout, rust-resistant modern baitfish hook. Coated hooks resist corrosion but can rust where the finish is nicked, so rinse flies in freshwater after every trip.
For depth, let the line do the work. An intermediate line (about 1–2 inches per second) is the most versatile choice and fishes an unweighted candy just under the surface, where albies feed. Use a floating line for topwater and easy re-casting, and a sinking shooting head when you need to get down behind trawlers or through chop. A leader of 7–9 feet tapering to 12–20 lb fluorocarbon suits these big-eyed, clear-water feeders; drop to 12–15 lb when fish get fussy.
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Become a M+ Member →Tie your boxes in August, before the run builds from New England down to the Cape Lookout epicenter in North Carolina. Carry several sizes and profiles, because the bait can change from one beach — or one tide — to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size fly is best for false albacore?
Most days, a fly of one to three inches works best, matching bay anchovies, silversides, and peanut bunker. Early in the season, albies may key on larval “snot bait” as small as half an inch and refuse anything larger, so carry a few very small candies (size 4–6) alongside your standard 1–2 patterns.
Do you need a fast-sinking fly for albies?
Usually not. False albacore feed at or just under the surface, so most anglers fish an unweighted or lightly built resin fly on an intermediate line and let the line set the depth. A weighted fly can jig on the drop, which sometimes reads wrong to a fish keyed on a straight-tracking baitfish. A fast-sinking version like the Deep Candy has its place behind trawlers or in heavy chop.
Is UV resin or two-part epoxy better for Surf Candies?
Both work. UV-cured resin cures in seconds under a torch and stays clear, which makes it faster and more convenient, especially without a drying wheel. Many experienced tyers still consider good two-part epoxy the toughest long-term finish, though it yellows over time and needs a rotating wheel to cure without sagging.
What hook should I use for albie flies?
Use a strong, corrosion-resistant saltwater hook sized to the bait — a Gamakatsu SL12S or SC15-2H, or an Ahrex SA280, in roughly size 1/0 down to 4. The challenge is matching a small baitfish while holding a hard-running fish, so favor heavier wire when 15-to-20-pound fish are likely, and rinse hooks in freshwater to prevent rust.
When is false albacore season?
The run tracks the warmest water of the year. Fish show in New England by mid-to-late August, move down through Montauk and New Jersey into the fall, and peak around Cape Lookout and Harkers Island, North Carolina, where September starts it, October is prime, and fish can hang into November and December in mild years.
