Fly Fishing for Largemouth Bass
Fly fishing for largemouth bass will make for some of the most exciting fishing in the country. The largemouth bass is considered as one of the most popular game fish in America. Largemouth bass can be found from southern Canada to South America. Even though smallmouth bass are also fantastic for fly fishing, they prefer slightly cooler waters and are not as plentiful as their largemouth relatives.
Bass will often grow larger in warmer waters. For example, a four to five pound bass may be considered large for a northern lake, but the warmer southern waters regularly produce 10 pounders and better. The water's temperature is an important factor in all fishing. When you are fly fishing for largemouth bass it is an especially important factor, if you wish to catch larger fish.
Just after the bass have spawned is when the best fishing usually takes place. The time that bass spawn will vary according to the temperatures. For largemouth bass, spawning happens after the water temperature reaches the low to mid-60s. For example, in Minnesota a female bass may not deposit her eggs until mid-June, while in Florida the female bass may spawn as early as February.
The largemouth bass will change its behavior considerably in accordance to the top temperature of the water. On hot days they normally feed during the early morning hours and then again during the last few hours of daylight, when the sun isn't as bright and the water temperature is cooler. Bass can generally be found spending a lot of time near the edge of the water among the grasses, reeds, and other plants.
When fly fishing for largemouth bass the fly is worked differently than it is for trout. Poppers are worked not only for their appearance but also for their sound. When a fly is cast for bass, it should remain unmoving for a longer period of time then for trout. It is estimated that 60% of bass strikes are made on a still fly. Bass tend to inspect your fly for a while before deciding to bite. Another important to remember while fly fishing, the bass will take longer to strike in warmer waters.
Fly Fishing for Largemouth Bass Rather Than Trout
Mention fly fishing to anyone, and often they assume that you are fishing for trout. There are however, some amazing spots where you will find that fly fishing for largemouth bass is very rewarding and exciting as well. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are plentiful in rivers and lakes, so why not try your hand fly fishing for bass?
Experienced fly fishermen report that fly fishing for bass is challenging as well as extremely satisfying. Bass have larger mouths than trout, so your choice of lures is much more diverse. Bass will strike hard and fight strong, so when you are fly fishing for bass, expect to be exhilarated by the fight!
It is suggested by the experts that you use a 6-7 weight rod, but if you are experienced you can use a 4-5 weight rod. If you do choose the smaller rod though, you may have trouble casting the larger flies. You can use a floating or a sinking line with a weight forward taper. You should have a 7 ½ to 9 foot leader tapered down to a 10 pound test.
Most bass are curious feeders and will bite at almost anything. In general, however, flies for bass fishing are usually larger and influence a bigger bite. Try big muddler minnows, clousy minnows, wooly buggers, poppers, leech patterns, and crayfish patterns. Opt for something between size 10, which would be a little on the small side, and size 2, which would be a little too large.
Largemouth bass prefer shallow water habitats among reeds, water lilies, and other vegetation naturally found in the water. They are adapted to warm waters in the 80 degree range, and are seldom found deeper than twenty feet down. They prefer clear waters with little or no current. They stay fairly active year-round, but tend to stay near the bottom during the winter months.
Various locations throughout the United States have excellent bass fishing spots. Try the rivers and streams in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northeastern United States, such as the Mohawk or Black Rivers. Some prize bass have been caught in the Great Lakes region. Southern Ontario in Canada has also provided some great opportunities to catch trophy sized bass.
Fly fishing for largemouth bass can be a great experience for both the beginning fly fisherman as well as those who are more experienced. Fly fishing for bass requires a bit of finesse and some tenacity when they bite. Stay with that fish, play him out, and pull a whopper out of the water you can be proud of! I think you will agree that trout fishing might seem boring after you have caught a few bass.
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