Fly Rod
Fly Rod
Largemouth Bass fishing with a fly rod
So you want to go Largemouth Bass fishing with a fly rod. Well put away those trout flies 10 to – whatever. This isn’t spring sipping. No afternoon sunlit hatches. Little Baetis (Blue wing olive) or Heptageniidae (Light Cahill) match the hatch with 14s – 22s.
We’ll be throwing size 2 black deer hair mouse patterns, flashing a hen and peacock tail . Splashing down like an Apollo space capsule. Looking like dinner for a week.
In my Bass years I have found that when top water fishing “Bass like big meals” Although Bass generally hunt by sight they are aided by a unique ability to feel small vibrations through their “lateral line” a sense organ that runs just under their skin down each side of their body.
When fishing a mouse I want this organ to vibrate like my cell phone. Then the Bass will take a look around and see the meal just sitting there looking tasty.
Bass are not timid little fish. I’ve caught little ones no bigger than the mouse almost. Every time I do I tell it “go tell dad your mad”.
The point is be ready. a lot of the time the mouse barely hits the water and “bam” you’ve got a fight. But when this doesn’t happen let the mouse sit there for a moment. Stunned, “what happened”, “gotta get to land”, “I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time”. Short jerks enough to put the water in motion then sit. I call it “jerk, motion and sit”.
This is a big fly and I don’t mind a splash down, but I want a less noisy lift off. So when picking up, lift your rod tip high and get some line off the water. Slowly pull back your rod then life the fly out with a quick back motion. Its a technique but it will allow you to make a quieter exit.
Some of the patterns I use for spring Bassing:
Hook size/Pattern
2 Mouse, black or purple
2-6 Dahlberg strip diver, chartreuse
2-6 Near nuff frog
2-6 Sheep/rabbit streamer
2-6 Bumble bee popper
6 Peacock woolly bugger
2-6 Electric leech
6 Fruit cocktail
2-6 Mickey Finn
There are dozens of patterns. These are the ones that work for me in the North East. But I think they would work almost anywhere.
To get these flies out there you will need to know what kind of water you will be fishing. For Largemouth Bass fishing on medium sized lake or pond. You will want to use 8 foot to 9 foot medium action to fast action fly rod. A 6wt or 7wt will do the trick. These rods will have the power necessary to throw and lift a large fly. Remember will are throwing flies the size of motor homes.
Your fly line should be a matched 6/7 weight, floating, and weight forward. Forget about Bass tapers for now.
For a leader you want 9 foot knotless taper 1x. When you get your leader. Tie on a piece of 1x tippet about 15 inches long to your leader. The added length will give something to tie your fly to without shorting your leader each time you change flies. This also protects your leader because it’s the last 12 – 18 inches of leader that takes the most abuse.
For a sinking fly use a 6 foot knotless sinking leader with a 1x tippet. Same deal tie on a piece of 12 inch 1x tippet as well.
With the 1x tippet you are fishing at about 12 pound test and you can fish size 2 – 6 with it. You can also ties on 2x – 3x this will extend your fly size range 2 – 12. A good rule of thumb for tippet size to hook size is divide the hook size by 3 and that’s the tippet size to use. So take a hook size 12 divide by 3 and get 4 so 4x is about right for this fly. Take it with a grain of salt and use experience and judgment.
Also remember a knot weakens the line strength and decreases the pound test of the line.
This is a basic setup and will get you started on top water Largemouth Bass fishing.
About the Author
Largemouth Bass fisherman.For basic and advanced information on bass fishing with a fly rod visit:http://www.why-bass.blogspot.com
Whats the best 5 weight fly rod and reel?
I want to upgrade, moneys no object.
there are no best now yes a nice sage z axis will outperform an okuma cascade but theres 2 fly rods i like the looks of:
one is this GLoomis
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0023165317265a&navCount=1&podId=0023165&parentId=cat604917&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20431-cat604917&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat604917&hasJS=true
another is this Echo
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0079771320819a&navCount=4&podId=0079771&parentId=cat604916&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20431-cat604916&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat604916&hasJS=true
i see myself getting the echo before the g loomis but right now those are both my dream rods. another thing you need to do is go to a fly shop and pick up the rods and see how they feel, see how they cast if the shop will let you and most importantly make sure it fits you as far as grip and weight.
as far as reels i only want this one sage reel
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20431-cat20435-cat602040&id=0062739320776a&navCount=9&podId=0062739&parentId=cat602040&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IA&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602040&hasJS=true
it apeals to me but again you need to go hold it and see how heavy it is.
Steelhead Jig & Fly Rod
|
|
THOMAS AND THOMAS FLY ROD T & T STANLEY BOGDAN REEL $14,500.00 |
|
|
Tom Moran 7ft 2 Piece Bamboo Fly Rod #4 Line EXC PLUS $3,800.00 |
|
|
Thomas & Thomas 7ft 2 Piece Bamboo Fly Rod #4 Line NEW $3,500.00 |
|
|
Rivers Edge Fishing Rod Fly Swatter $7.99 The Rivers Edge Fishing Rod Fly Swatter g raphite shaft, EVA foam handle with trigger grip make smashing those pesky flies as easy as fishin’! Great item to keep handy on your porch or deck. Fun and practical…. |
|
|
Neko Flies – Katarantula with Rod – Interchangeable Toy $19.93 neko flies Katarantula offers an opportunity to catch a “spider” whenever your cat is ready for action. Flicking the toy under furniture pieces offers great hiding spots to get your cat “in the mood” for play. The legsespecially when moving over carpetwill definitely catch your cat’s immediate attention. Katarantula is available with a rod or as an individual attachment… |
|
|
Old Wooden Rod Fly Reel And Fishing Lure Cabin Lodge Picture Art Print $6.00 This beautiful art goes well in any room. Artwork is manufactured by Art Prints Inc. using state of the art equipment and quality materials such as premium grade high quality acid free lithograph art paper…. |
|
|
Fly Me To The Moon…The Great American Songbook Volume V $10.99 … |
|
|
Fly Me to the Moon…the Great American Songbook Volume V (Deluxe) $13.99 … |
|
|
Fly Me To The Moon…The Great American Songbook Volume V (Vinyl) $18.98 … |
|
|
Hooked on Fly Fishing how to Build a Fly Rod with Bill Marts … |
|
|
Handcrafting A Graphite Fly Rod [VHS] $15.99 … |
|
|
Handcrafting a Graphite Fly Rod [VHS] $10.98 … |
|
|
Kohler Artist Editions 25 Self Rimming Bathroom Sink with The Rod and the Fly Design Biscuit – K-14274-RF-96 Kohler – The Rod and the Fly design on Centerpiece self-rimming bathroom sink The Rod and The Fly conveys the mystique of the river as a place of solitary tranquility. Soft colors define the contours of the river as it wanders, and recreates the trout’s patterns of movement below the surface. Watery reflections and mountain shadows on a Biscuit background further emphasize the quiet compositio… |
|
|
American Explorer 4-piece Fly Rod Set $90.99 Any angler will love this pack of fly rodsFishing rod set features 5-6 weight with first-quality Portuguese Cork handlesHunting and fishing equipment includes ported aluminum reel set |
|
|
Gold Medal II Fly Fishing Outfit 8.5 foot $66.99 Take it to the stream with the Gold Medal II fly fishing outfitLightweight graphite 8 1/2-foot fly rod is perfect for hours of fishing fun |
|
|
Fly Rod & Reel, 6 issues for 1 year(s) $16.97 Fly Rod & Reel is for the fly-fishing consumer. Editorial emphasis is on conservation, in-depth equipment reviews, fly fishing travel, and the sporting way of life. The magazine reflects the fly fisherman’s approach to his or her sport-an aw… |
|
|
Gold Medal II Fly Fishing Outfit $71.99 Take it to the stream with the Gold Medal II fly fishing outfitLightweight 9-foot graphite fly rod is perfect for hours of fishing fun |
|
|
Fundamentals of Building a Bamboo Fly-Rod $22.87 Inspired by the teachings of a master rodmaker, here is a step-by-step guide to the craft of building handmade, heirloom-quality bamboo fly-rodsthe most coveted of all rods. Spurred in part by a quest for something authentic in a mostly synthetic world… |
|
|
A Ed Shenk’s Fly Rod Trouting $105.63 A Ed Shenk’s Fly Rod Trouting |
|
|
Alaska River Fishing With a Fly Rod $24.99 Features Duration: 45 min |
|
|
Arrow Backpacker Pontoon Boat RED $449.95 Arrow Backpacker Pontoon Boat RED. Fish anywhere with this convenient pack and carry pontoon boat! Includes a pontoon boat backpack oars and a foot pump. Color: RED/CHARCOAL. Limited warranty. Ships directly from our manufacturer. Cannot ship express delivery.BOAT FEATURES:Armrest storage includes a large middle pocket 2 sloped gear pockets 4 end mesh pockets and an inset drink pocketFabric rear storage platformDetachable foam fly patchComfortable fully padded seat conforms to the bodyExtra tall seat back provides additional back supportFootrests adjust to a wide range of leg lengthsBACKPACK FEATURES:Large top pocketTwo bottom rod/oar pocketsRear elastic cord gear attachment systemDual side rod or rodcase holdersAdjustable shoulder strapsFully padded lumbar rest and hip beltSAFETY FEATURES:Safety labeling as per ABYC standardsRides high for improved visibilityCombination fill/quick deflation valvesCONSTRUCTION FEATURESHeavyduty steel oar locksHeavyduty pontoons with abrasionresistant PVC bottoms & tough nylon topsRugged 3piece 6 aluminum oarsCold and heatresistant bladdersBOAT SPECIFICATIONS:8 Slim pontoons350lb weight capacityRiver ratingClass 1Assembled size: 96″L x 55″W x 29.5″HBackpack weight containing boat oars and pump: 42lbs |
Evolution Valley backpack
Right hand jammed in my shorts pocket, collar of my Buzz Off shirt pulled up past my chin, and cuff tight over my left hand — which was gripping a fly rod, only fingertips exposed — I made my way…