Fly Fishing for Bass

Fly Fishing for Bass

Bass fishing is one of the most popular pastimes around. The thrill of landing a largemouth bass can be counted as one of the most thrilling activities. Most anglers use simple spinning or casting reels to land the big one. Want a challenge? Try fly-fishing for bass.

Fly-fishing for bass is a technique that will most likely not win you any fishing tournaments. It is a relaxing and challenging means of catching bass, however, it is different from most fly-fishing techniques. Fly-fishing for bass is different from, say, fly fishing for trout in a mountain stream.

The fly rod for fly-fishing for bass is typically heavier than those used for trout. Fly rods for bass fishing are typically 8-weight. This is required by the fact that largemouth bass obviously eat the foods like crayfish and frogs. The fly or popper will be larger as well. The leader for this type of fly fishing will be relatively short, 4-6 feet, with the tippet at around a 8 pound test line. The heavier pound test will be important to get the bass out of the underwater vegetation and obstacles and into open water so you can play the fish off the reel.

The best fly-fishing for bass involves casting your line from the boat towards shore, underneath brush and branches. Techniques that work well involve simply letting the fly rest on the water for a period of time then snap the bug across the water quickly and deliberately to get the attention of the bass. The popping sound and action attracts the bass to strike the lure.

Some of the best fly-fishing for bass is typically in smaller bodies of water. Small county lakes, farm pounds and slow moving creeks are perfect for fly-fishing. Farm ponds are a favorite because you typically can use the shore to cast from and position the lure in good positions around piers or beneath trees. Or you can simply get in a small boat and cast from the boat to the shore where the bass are likely to be swimming.

The thing about fly fishing for bass is that fighting the fish with a fly rod always makes the bass seem larger than it really is. The fly rod magnifies the fight of the fish. A simple two to three pound bass caught with a fly rod will seem like a six pound fish caught on a casting reel.

Fly-fishing is an exciting and fun way to catch bass. Next time you are looking to fish for bass, put aside your worm and casting reel and give fly-fishing a try.