How To Go Fly Fishing for Bass

The equipment needed is a fly rod is either a 6 weight or a 9 weight and bass bugs or flies. After equipment is gathered, location must be decided on.

The angler must think like a bass, this includes stalking the bass much like they would stalk their prey but at the same time the angler must remain aware, be observant and anticipate what the bass may do. They must also be quiet, careful and patient and use their senses more.

The angler has to know where to look for the bass. This could be a little pile of rocks, a pile of half-submerged brush, logs in the water, floating islands, vegetation transition zones, areas of shoreline trees that have been flooded and areas where aquatic grass is present. Other places to include are boat docks, weedy shore lines, under water contours and flats. A map of the body of water can also help if one is available. Often times these maps will include these areas as they are important to anglers and boaters.

The angler must know how to cast the fly rod. This begins with loading the rod, which is bending the rod, but it has to be done so that there is a gradual acceleration accomplished up and through the end of the cast. After loading the rod, the cast is made and the rod must be unloaded and is done by abruptly stopping the rod.

Casting methods are important for fly fishing for bass.

For the no retrieve method, the angler will cast the bass bug as close to the structure where they believe the bass is as possible. After the cast allow the bass bug to stay in one place, tighten the line, again do not move the fly and set the hook when you feel the bass take the fly.

For the twitch and pause method, the angler will cast the bass bug where they believe the bass is. After the cast allow the bass bug to stay in place for about five seconds then twitch or jerk the fly only about an inch. After you twitch, then pause, which means leave the bass bug alone for ten seconds or so. Repeat twitch and pause several times.

For the irregular strip and pause method, the angler will cast the bass bug beyond the area where the bass is believed to be then allow the bass bug to settle, at least a couple of seconds or until it is where the angler wishes to fish. After the cast and pause, the angler will begin varying strips and pauses, such as one strip then pause followed by three strips and a pause. The angler will continue the various strips and pauses several times then retrieve the bass bug, going past where the bass is believed to be.

For the jig fly method, the angler will cast the bass bug then allow it to sit on the bottom of the body of water. Let it remain there for a couple of seconds, then jig, which is accomplished by strip and pause. The angler then floats the fly line.

For deep fishing big bass, the angler will cast the bass bug with two to four feet of leader attached to a fast-sinking, full-sinking fly line. After the cast, the angler will allow the bass bug to sink to the bottom of the body of water then quickly strip the fly-line, causing the bass bug to dive and rise as the angler quits pulling.

For double haul casting, the angler will cast the bass bug using a longer line, faster line speed and larger casting movements. This is accomplished with more strength plus loading the rod before the forward cast. This method will require both of the anglers hands to work independently.