Most bass will take a fly eagerly, but you must know when and where to place yourself to keep the bass engaged. This is an experience that anglers find exciting yet very relaxing.
Putting a flyrod in your hand and going after North America’s number one freshwater sport fish can be a unique experience. Although most people will go for the typical rod and reel approach, fly fishing for bass is as effective and exciting as traditional fishing.
Learn About Fly Fishing and Get Ahead of the Game.
Fly Fishing
This style of fishing has been around for hundreds of years as people noticed fish eating bugs off the surface of the water. For some time this was the only way to fish.
Today, people are intimidated by the idea of flyfishing because most fly fishermen wear so much gear. They also manipulate the fly, line, and rod so gracefully.
Don’t let this discourage you from trying this approach to fishing. It gives you opportunities with your target fish that you didn’t have before. Also, try and remember that fly fishing isn’t about fancy poles and particular lines. It is a lot more to it than that for you to understand.
It’s just a rod, reel, line, and bait, just like traditional fishing. All this sport requires after that is some practice.
Getting the Proper Gear
Expert anglers recommend a nine-foot eight-weight rod for smallmouth or largemouth fly fishing. A standard eight-foot six-weight trout rod will also work as people like to use the same pole for both species.
There are many choices in the bait selection, such as artificial frogs, crayfish, and other patterns such as flies.
For bass fishing, many experts will recommend a size 1/0 bass popper. There is also a Jiggy Craw size 2/0 or a weighted Whollybugger that will work. The basic idea when fly fishing for bass is to get your lure on top of the water to imitate its natural prey and trigger a strike.
Fly fishing requires more than a specific rod and bait; it also needs the proper line. Choosing the correct line is simple for bass fishing due to their environment and fly choice. Typically, a weight-forward floating line is best for this fish.
It will allow the line to be manipulated so you may get your fly into that right pocket where you know a largemouth is sitting and waiting for its next meal.
Where do I go?
Due to the Black Basses’ hyperaggressive behavior and colossal appetite, you can go flyfishing for them almost anywhere.
From the northlands of Michigan to the swamps of Georgia and the Texas homeland of the Guadalupe bass, fly fishing can be implemented anywhere.
Calm and clear conditions will also help the fish see the fly pattern you may be throwing. Keep in mind that these fish are opportunists.
Fly fishing for bass can land you in many of the same places as fishing for them with a standard reel and pole. Remember, the fish don’t change locations just because you changed how you want to catch them.
Fly fishing is a relaxing experience mixed with explosions of excitement, especially when you’re after the compulsive Largemouth bass.
Mastering your technique is what a novice fly fisherman needs to spend their time working on. All subspecies of the black bass family will eat frogs, crayfish, and fly patterns. Throwing any of these into your favorite stream, river, or lake will land you a bite and possibly a new secret favorite technique.
Tips for Fly Fishing
- Fly fishing for bass during lowlight hours like early morning or evening time will produce the best results for this tactic.
- Use a heavier fly after dark, such as duckling lures and frogs. This can trigger more prominent bass to strike and fill your cooler with big fish.
- Use a floating line for normal flies and topwater lures for a sinking line for subsurface lures.
- Be patient with throwing different patterns. Don’t pull your lure too quickly; give the bass a chance to inspect your lure.
- Keep your pole tip under the water a few inches after you cast your lure. Lifting your pole and line after casting your fly is a sure-shot way to chase off your bass.
These were some quick lessons in Flyfishing for bass. It will take a lot of patience to get better at this craft. Don’t get discouraged by poor results early on. Over time you will figure out what works. In the end, fly fishing for bass is supposed to be fun.