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When I think of fly fishing for Bass, a few things come to mind – the adrenaline, rush, and thrill once that Bass strikes the fly with its characteristic hard strike.
Bass fly fishing offers a unique blend of skill, patience, and utilizing the correct gear.
From Smallmouths to Largies and Stripes, each Bass species offers its own unique fly fishing experience.
The key, however, is to ensure you’ve researched everything from what flies and tackle to use to the correct presentation of the flies – that’s where we come in.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need about fly fishing for Bass, from what species prefers what habitats to what flies and tackle you should use.
What Bass Species Can You Catch With Fly Fishing?
Generally, there are three bass species I like to catch with fly fishing: the Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Striped Bass.
However, you can also catch some of the other bass species like Peacock, White, and Hybrid bass.
Still, the first three mentioned species provide an enticing fight and sometimes even test the best fly fisherman.
Let’s examine the differences between striped, smallmouth, and largemouth Bass.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass is one of my favorite species to catch.
They are known for their aggressive strikes and can be found abundantly in various habitats, from clear lakes to warm, muddy rivers, although they prefer the latter.
But, the most success I’ve gotten with catching them was in shallow, vegetation-rich small ponds as they enjoy the cover.
If you can only fish in lakes and rivers, search for structures that provide ample cover, like fallen trees, weed beds, and rocks – that’s where you’ll find Largies!
Largemouth Bass have a deep green color with a black line that runs across their body. If that’s not enough to identify them, just look at their mouth – they’ve got one whopper of a mouth!
Tip: Make sure your fly fishing knots are secure as the fight can loosen the knots.
Best place to find them: Pools with vegetation
Smallmouth Bass
If you like a fight, smallmouth bass is what you’re looking for!
They are easily identifiable, with their jaw extending to the middle of their eye. Their body color ranges from brown to bronze color, depending on their environment and nutrition. They also have horizontal lines on their cheeks.
Unlike Largies, smallmouth bass prefer deeper and cooler water – chances are good, you’ll find them cohabitating with trout.
Best place to find them: Running clear streams and rivers at a riffle drop off (sand or rock) into a deeper pool.
Striped Bass
Many see the striped Bass as the ultimate competitor in bass fishing.
They’re huge, aggressive, and can be found in various habitats.
To identify them, you only need to look at their body’s black/gray stripes, hence their distinctive name.
Best place to find them: Striped Bass is in rivers, lakes, and near coastlines.
They enjoy cover, so you’ll most likely find them near sunken trees, weeds, docks, drop-offs, and rocks. These fish have a peculiar taste for shad – if you see shad in the water, chances are good, you’ll find a Striper!
What Gear Should I Take Fly Fishing for Bass?
Bass Fishing Gear Checklist
Starting with bass fishing? Here’s a checklist of all the essential gear you need to get started:
Rods and Reels
Lines and Leaders
Lures and Baits
Tools and Accessories
Clothing and Protection
Other Essentials
Fly Rod
Fly anglers prefer different-sized rods for different fish species.
However, you don’t need to overcomplicate things. For most new fly anglers, I recommend a 9′ medium-to-fast action 6-8 weight trout rod – they allow you to throw larger flies and can handle strong strikes.
Smaller rods, like a 5-6-weight rod, can also work but should only be used for Smallmouth bass.
Ultimately, you should choose the best fly rod for your bass species and fly fishing environment.
Flies
As with any fish species, the type of fly a bass prefers depends on their location and diet.
Luckily, bass fly fishing is versatile, and they are not as picky on fly patterns and choices as some of the other species.
Therefore, you can fly fish for Bass using streamers, poppers, or other more specific surface flies.
What Flies Do Bass Like
Fly fishing for Bass with poppers is probably the most popular technique out there.
They’re easy to use and work in various habits. Poppers’ success lies in the amount of noise they make, enticing the Bass to go after them.
The most popular poppers are deer hair poppers, frog patterns, bait fish, and some bass bugs.
Streamers are ideal for fly fishing for Bass in deep waters.
Pick a color that presents naturally to the fish – either white or black will work.
The key is to pick a streamer that looks like Bass’s favorite food – crayfish, leeches, and bait fish – so minnow streamers, wooly bugger, meat whistle, and rabbit fur streamers work quite well.
Finally, we have divers. You can use these flies if you want to emulate food sources like frogs and sunfish. They are perfect for calmer waters and can be used in both surface and deeper waters.
Fly Reels
Just as I explained in our guide “How to Fly Fish,” reels can make or break your fly fishing experience.
It’s vital you match your reel to rod weight. If you’re fishing Stripers or Largemouths, go for a larger reel (8+ weight), and for Smallies, you can opt for something like a 6-7 weight reel.
I tend to go with an adjustable drag system, one that offers really smooth drag, to handle those characteristic powerful runs of Bass.
Fly Lines
Fly line choice depends on your fly choice and the location where you are fishing.
For most scenarios, you can use a weight-forward floating line with a compact head – Airflo has some great bass fishing fly lines.
The floating fly line is ideal for when you’re fishing shallow, calm waters (ponds and lakes).
Just make sure you’re using a line with a short front taper if you’re targeting spots with a lot of underwater structure.
If you’re fishing from a boat or targeting deeper water like lakes and rivers, a sinking line is the way to go.
Note: Sinking lines tend to snag on structures, so make sure there are not a lot of underwater obstacles; otherwise, you’ll lose a lot of flies.
Best Line Weight For Bass Fly Fishing
A line weight that matches your rod and reel setup is vital.
Generally, a seven or 8-weight line is sufficient for most bass fishing situations.
Leaders and Tippet
Choosing leaders for bass fishing isn’t really rocket science.
When you want an all-round performer, a 6-7′ leader will work. However, you can even go up to 9′ if you want a longer leader.
As long as you have a strong tippet (10-15 pounds) to survive the Bass’s strength, you’re good to go.
10 Tips For How Do You Catch Bass On A Fly
Here are ten tips we at Uncharted Wilds wish we knew when we started bass fly fishing:
Understand Bass Behavior: As we outlined in this article, learn how the fish behave, specifically the feeding patterns and habitats of Bass. Where they eat, where they hide, etc.
Right Timing: Bass mostly feed when visibility is low, so you should fish during the early morning or late evening for better results. Bass also favor cloudy days and when there is a slight breeze to disturb the water.
Water Temperature: Depending on the specific species, most Bass are active in warmer waters, so consider the temperature. When it’s especially warm, Bass will even come out to feed during nighttime.
Fly Selection: Match the fly to the Bass’s natural prey in the area. Usually, bright, colorful, and shiny flies work well – catching the bass’ attention. Poppers also work well because of the noise they make.
Presentation: As any experienced fly fisherman would tell you, presentation is one of the most important aspects of discerning between failure and fish on. Focus on how you present the fly, making it as natural as possible so it looks like real food. Keep your fly in line of sight of the fish – it’ll entice them to go for a bite.
Casting Techniques: Practice how to cast a fly rod for better accuracy and distance. Smallmouths and Largemouths don’t need a far cast – anything up to 40 feet is good. For Stripers, you’ll need to dig deep and ensure a cast beyond 50 feet (preferably 70-100 feet).
Hooking: Because of their thick skin, you need to hook Bass securely. Make sure you have enough line available when the fish has been caught, as they tend to jump out of the water and do headshakes when caught.
Stealth Approach: Be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible. Don’t wear strong odors, and be subtle in movements.
Patience and Persistence: Bass fishing with a fly requires patience, so don’t get discouraged. Also, Bass fight quite hard, so make sure you have enough patience to reel the fish in.
Stay Alert: Bass hit extremely hard, so stay alert.
When To Go Fly Fishing For Bass – Best Time Of Year
The best time of year to go fly fishing for Bass is during spring. March and April are perfect for finding Bass in shallow waters – streamers work best for this time of year.
As we approach summer, the water’s temperature rises, and Bass tend to move away from the shallow water into deeper water for spawning purposes.
If you want to find them, you’ll need to look for protected areas – drop-offs, holes, and rock beds.
As summer arrives, the fish finish spawning, and they won’t be too interested in feeding. Still, you find them in the cooler, deeper parts of the lake or pond.
For summer bass fly fishing, we’ve found floating lines with surface flies to work best – poppers work best.
Best Locations for Bass Fly Fishing
Here are my top 5 locations for bass fly fishing:
Lake Fork, Texas: Lake Fork is renowned for its largemouth bass fishing.
On my visits here, I’ve found the Bass to be particularly responsive in the shallower coves, especially during the spring spawning season.
The thrill of casting near the lily pads and feeling the sudden tug of a Largemouth bass is unforgettable.
California Delta, California: The California Delta offers a labyrinth of waterways teeming with both largemouth and striped Bass.
Fishing here is a test of skill, navigating through the maze of channels. I remember the adrenaline rush when a striped bass struck my fly in the swift currents, offering a memorable and challenging fight.
Lake Champlain, Vermont/New York: Spanning the border between Vermont and New York, Lake Champlain is a haven for smallmouth bass.
The rocky structures and clear waters are ideal for sight fishing.
One of my most satisfying catches was a hefty smallmouth that I spotted and stalked, casting precisely to entice a bite.
Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho: In the scenic Pacific Northwest, Lake Coeur d’Alene is a hidden gem for bass fishing.
The mix of deep and shallow waters, along with the lush surroundings, make it an idyllic fishing spot.
My experiences here often involved targeting Bass around the submerged timber, requiring careful casting and a bit of strategy.
Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, Florida: Florida’s Kissimmee Chain of Lakes is a bass angler’s paradise, with largemouth Bass in abundance.
The warm waters and abundant vegetation make for exciting topwater fly fishing.
One of my most memorable days here was when the Bass were aggressively hitting surface flies, leading to an exhilarating day of catch and release.
What Bass Size Is Considered As Big?
Largemouth Bass: For largemouth Bass, anything that weighs over 6 pounds is big.
Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are smaller than their other bass species counterparts.
Therefore, a smallmouth bass weighing over 4 pounds is generally considered large.
Striped Bass: Striped Bass are monsters -they grow much larger than largemouth and smallmouth bass.
A striped bass is often considered big when it reaches 20 pounds or more, and trophy-sized stripers can weigh 40 pounds or more!
The Bottom Line
Fly fishing for Bass is definitely one of my favorite types of fly fishing.
The rush and adrenaline from that Bass strike – few things compare!
Remember, use the right flies and make sure to present them correctly, as this will increase your chances of a bite.
So, with the right gear, knowledge of Bass, and a bit of luck, you can enjoy the thrill that is Bass fly fishing!
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