So, the past few years I've been spending my spring/summer "pre-anadromous" fishing time on the lakes looking for bass a lot more than I ever have. It's been a blast. I love taking the tube out to some little local pond after work and catching ditch pickles (and panfish) while enjoying a beer as the sun sets.
But I admit, I've been going after them with gear. I've never been much of a stillwater fly angler. I just don't have the patience. So it's been mostly senkos, ned rigs, swimbaits, etc for bass. While I've caught a few using poppers on the fly rod, particularly while fishing for bluegill, that's about it. But comments from @Billy @Irafly @Squatchin and a few others here has made me want to put more effort into catching them on the fly.
So, help me get some knowledge. I've got both smallies and largemouth up here in our lakes. I doubt I've caught anything much over 3-3.5 and most of them are in the 1-2.5 range. But the hawgs are out there.
1. Rod weight? I have 5/6/8 as options.
2. Line? Based on this thread, sounds like the SA Bass Bug line is the way to go?
3. Flies? Poppers I've got. Other than that, I'm assuming just big leechy streamer stuff? Does anyone use jig type flies?
4. Technique? Do you really just wait forever to get flies down to the right depth? Do people use sinking lines for bass? I admit that I don't love single hand casting sinking lines.
Thanks!
SELFIE TIME: Little bass on a beauty day in the tube. No, not on a fly rod.
But I admit, I've been going after them with gear. I've never been much of a stillwater fly angler. I just don't have the patience. So it's been mostly senkos, ned rigs, swimbaits, etc for bass. While I've caught a few using poppers on the fly rod, particularly while fishing for bluegill, that's about it. But comments from @Billy @Irafly @Squatchin and a few others here has made me want to put more effort into catching them on the fly.
So, help me get some knowledge. I've got both smallies and largemouth up here in our lakes. I doubt I've caught anything much over 3-3.5 and most of them are in the 1-2.5 range. But the hawgs are out there.
1. Rod weight? I have 5/6/8 as options.
2. Line? Based on this thread, sounds like the SA Bass Bug line is the way to go?
3. Flies? Poppers I've got. Other than that, I'm assuming just big leechy streamer stuff? Does anyone use jig type flies?
4. Technique? Do you really just wait forever to get flies down to the right depth? Do people use sinking lines for bass? I admit that I don't love single hand casting sinking lines.
Thanks!
SELFIE TIME: Little bass on a beauty day in the tube. No, not on a fly rod.