Fly fishing can be intimidating for certain people, however, it is the most effective way to catch a bass. Many anglers in the world go for mighty bass, as they are abundant, easy to find, and fun to catch. They are good fighters which makes the fishing game all the more interesting! So let’s dive into this article to go through all essential information for your march.
Bass and Its types
The scientific name of the bass is Micropterus salmoides. The word bass originates from the English word bars, which means perch although none of the species of bass belong to the perch family. They are mainly found in Northern regions, in both freshwater and saltwater.
There are three main types of bass as follows :
- Large-mouth bass
- Small-mouth bass
- Striped bass
Large-Mouth Bass
Physical appearance
Largemouth bass have their jaw extending from beyond the eye. They have broad horizontal lines running across their body. It has an average length of 16 inches
Preferred water location
They prefer to cruise in shallow waters near objects that provide a large food source and protection against predators. An abundant population of largemouth bass can be found in shallow ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Small-Mouth Bass
Physical appearance
Their jaw extends to the middle of their eye and they have vertical lines starting from behind their gill to their tail.
Preferred water location
Unlike largemouth bass, smallmouth bass likes cool and deep waters. It can live together with trout habitat and have similar feeding patterns. They are abundant in streams and can also be found at the drop-off of a riffle.
Striped Bass
Physical appearance
They have stout bodies and 7-8 vertical stripes drawn on their bodies.
Preferred water location
They live in oceans but migrate to freshwater for spawning.
Understand the Behavior of Bass
Most liked environment
Bass can be found in both kinds of water bodies i.e. saltwater and freshwater, however, the luck you can get is inside rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds. Largemouth bass prefer shallow waters and stay near banks and surfaces, whereas smallmouth bass enjoy cool environments.
Feeding pattern
Bass is pretty active, it loves to attack anything that looks like its food source. Their favorite nutritional source is crayfish. It can obtain major nutrients from frogs near vegetation.
Equipment Needed in Fly Fishing for Bass
Gear and equipment are the main differences between fly fishing and conventional fishing, hence you will require a completely new set of equipment for a mesmerizing experience.
Fly rod
The rod needed for fly fishing is usually long and flexible. It is different from any other fishing rod. An 8-weight rod is best for bass
Fly reel
You will of course need a matching reel to go with your rod with a strong and smooth drag system. A large arbor reel is preferred.
Sink-Tip line
These lines have a sinking section only at their tip (ranging from 10-30 feet). This is good for fishing at surface or subsurface levels.
Full sinking line
This is good for deeper water fishing. It sinks uniformly and you can adjust the sinking rate.
Flies
Your presentation matters a lot. You might need streamers, poppers, and large nymphs. Bass loves to feed upon crayfish and frogs. It will be good to go if you have flies with shiny appearance or if you can imitate a frog. Deer hair is a popular material for tying flies, specifically topwater flies. This material can withstand bass bites.
Leader and tippet
A monofilament or fluorocarbon material with a 7.5-9 foot range works the best for you. Adjust these according to your preferred size and water clarity.
Stripping basket
This will help you to keep your fly line detangled and reduce the frustration that comes with casting for fly fishing.
Types of Fly
Frog patterns
A frog pattern has froggy colors and large legs to imitate a frog
Streamers
These are large baits and are used to attract a large bass
Poppers with rubber legs
Rubber legs create a lifelike movement in water and make the fly appear to be more realistic
Clouser minnow
It has a dumbbell-shaped eye and is effective for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. It is usually a small-sized baitfish.
Frog Imitation
This is an effective technique to use when fly fishing for bass. This works wonders, especially in the areas where there is greenery and vegetation, this supports a good population of frogs which becomes a great food source for bass.
There are two types of frog lures:
Frog lures:
-
Hollow Body Frogs:
These have hollow structures which collapse when the bass hits it. The examples include
- Spro Bronzeye Frog
- Booyah Pad Crasher
-
Soft Plastic Frogs:
These are weedless and can be easily tied with a weighted hook.
Techniques for bass fly fishing
You will need these techniques to make the frog appear real.
Imitate frog walk
Gently move and twitch your lure to make the frog move. Try to mimic the natural movement of frogs.
Chugging
Make small pops from time to time to create a natural active movement of the frog.
The Perfect Weather Conditions for Fly Fishing for Bass
Cloudy days
A Cloudy day works wonders for your bass fly fishing endeavors. A thick cloud hovering over your fishing location blocks direct sunlight which provides excellent conditions for bass to come out.
Windy days
Winds and currents create ripples in water which provides cover for you. Also, there is a greater chance for bass to be found where water waves are active. As much as a light breeze is fruitful, strong winds can cause trouble for your fly fishing castings.
Fly-fishing Advice for Bass
Retrieval pauses
You need to keep a check and balance at your pauses and retrievals. You aim to find out the right speed and depth that impels the bass to strike. Usually, slow movements work the best.
Be vigilant about your castings
Your cast length mainly depends upon the species you are going for. A 30-foot cast works best for smallmouth and largemouth bass, however, you will need to increase the cast length to about 60 feet for striped bass.
Observe the waters
Like any other fishing trip, it is significant to read and understand the water currents and movements. You will ace your fly fishing trip every time if you develop a deep connection with water bodies.
Pro Tips to Ace Your Trip
Act like your prey
Toney Sisk, writer and publisher of Wayward Fly Fishing, said: “Fishing for bass inclines you to stalk them like they stalk their prey’. To master this trick, you need to have keen observance of your target.
Get up early
Bass is most active during low light conditions, hence it is a professional suggestion to set your trap early in the morning or evening. They are more likely to come to the surface at night especially during the summer months to avoid warm weather. This makes night fishing more advantageous.
Conditions Affecting Fly Fishing for Bass
You must watch out for the following conditions as they can have a great impact on your fly fishing journey
Water visibility
Fly fishing is a challenging technique and one must be beware of the terms and conditions that follow. It is difficult to look for bass in colored water, the more opaque the water the less effective it is to locate a bass and go after it. Switching your location rather than wasting time at colored water bodies is advised.
Casting distance
One drawback of fly fishing is that you cannot cover greater water distance, hence you have a reduced chance of catching your prey. It is always good to cover the maximum area to reduce any risk. The question here is, how can you maximize your luck? The simple answer is to go for a shoreline that has more chances of supporting a bass population. Bass is likely to follow a shoreline hence you can get lucky within a little water distance.
Low light conditions
Direct sunlight can compel bass to retreat from shallow waters. They like to stay in the dark which makes early mornings and evenings better to look for them when they are likely to come to the surface.
Conclusion
Summing up, fly fishing for bass is a thrilling experience that combines the art of casting a fly line along fighting against stubborn bass. As a whole this captivating sport holds the power of enhancing your mood even if you are new to the world of angling.
