Bass on the Fly

timmymac · Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:53 am Post subject: Bass on the Fly

So I think I'm finally good enough at fly casting to start trying to actually catch some fish. I watched a decent DVD about flyfishing for bass over the weekend, and there's a bass or two in the pond across the street.

My only question is what size flies should I be using for bass? I've got a 5-weight rod...is a deer hair popper on a size 2 hook too big?

fshrmen1 · Baitfish Rank Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Total Points: 9

timmy a size 2 hook is ok you will get large bass to bite it if there hungry. when i use my fly rod for bass i like to use large poppers that are weedless for them. you can also use streamers to in a size hook ive cought them on them two but i cant give a way all my secret tips on catching big bass on a fly rod. basiclly any large hook will do but look at the water coverage

timmymac · Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 9:44 am Post subject:

So far, no dice, but I have a nice selection of poppers and streamers now. Lost a weedless frog on a lily pad, but I'm enjoying tossing these big bastards around.

fshrmen1 · Baitfish Rank Joined: 04 Apr 2008 Posts: 9 Total Points: 9

i use mine alot more in the spring when the bass are getting ready for the breeding season. but time and patiance will work through out the summer.

na337 · Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:08 pm Post subject:

hey timmy send me ure address and i ll send u one of my popper.not the best looking but i ve caught lots of different fishes. from sun fish to nice size bass.

na337 · Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

woot woot. caught this baby on crease fly. caught 2 but made my day Twisted Evil

markinsturbridge · Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:28 pm Post subject:

I was using a size 8 hopper the other day in shallow water in front of some lily pads and had the best catch. a Northern Pike at about 18 inches. It hit the fly and instead of the fish getting air, it immediately sunk, when it got close and I noticed what it was, I couldn't stop laughing. Good Luck.

blackstonecarp · Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2010 6:07 am Post subject:

Personally I say go simple. I've caught the majority of my bass on size 8 to 4 hooks, using a variety of hopper patterns, dragonflies and wooley buggers. The big bass poppers are overrated imo, yes you will catch on them but they are much harder to cast especially in windy conditions and on a 5 weight...

In fact one of my largest bass have been since going simpler;

This is my typical bass box, notice the left side pattern which is what I caught this great fish on. Most of these flies are around size 6 and I can cast them a country mile if need be, something I cannot do with a large bass popper.

A few others as well, these were on hopper patterns on a breezy day.

On a breezy day while the bass are active you can't beat a good hopper pattern in my opinion. With the variety of foam out there now you can make simple, quick and effective grasshoppers for bass and pickerel that are almost indestructible Smile

When the bass are low a good wooley bugger, with some foof and rubber legs can be devastating on a slow drift then quick strip. I've found in my waters at least, using sunfish colors has worked very well. Deep greens with a bit of brown/orange and a blue sparkle...hold on for some hard strikes.

Others have said..size 6 is way to small for a bass. I say that on hook-up I've landed 90+% of the bass. The only really issue I get is heavy weed with a fly rod, and these fish I think I would have lost to the weed regardless of hook size. I tell you though the ease and accuracy of casting a small fly verse tossing a golf ball sized popper is amazing, and at least worth the mention.