Any ever throw any 8-12" swimbait type flies?

Fishing Warm water Forum
1

I was out at a local lake today throwing swimbaits with my baitcaster. (A sin on this board I know). But being a die hard fly fisherman I was wondering if anyone has thrown any flies in the 8"-12" inch range? I tied up a little 4" trout that looked really good in the water and was thinking of getting a heavier rod and going after some big bass. I was thinking a rod in the 10-12 weight range cause I really wanna get it out there and have plenty of backbone on the hookset. If any of you have done this sort of thing, know someone who has, or have any good websites regarding the issue please let me know. Thank you for your help ahead of time.

-avflyangler

2

I would be interested to hear any comments on this also. I have thrown big swimbaits both in lakes and the ocean for BIG bass. But i have come to really enjoy the large Hard baits 12 - 15 inches. Throwing and slow trolling for Stripers and Largemouth.

3

We sometimes toss 12" bugs, but not much.
8" stuff gets tossed quite regularly. Your choice of gear wt. is good for this purpose.
Mark Sedotti (sp?) tosses REAL long bugs.
[url=http://www.danblanton.com:ecc3e]www.danblanton.com[/url:ecc3e] can get you to useful info too. Many members of this board should be able to help you.
…lee s.

4

I have found that bass really like Poplips type flies (a swimming version of Bob Popovics siliclone). It swims very well, is not as hard to tie as it looks, and is castable for its size. His book explains how to tie it.

5

I have thrown some long Eelworm streamers on an 8wt with no problems.I have also seen Mark Sedotti throw long flies on a 7wt at shows.Personally,I would not go heavier than a 10wt for big bass because anything heavier is not going to be pleasant to blind cast for too long.You can land some large fish on a 10wt and it has plenty of backbone for any bass.JMHO.

6

Well, several years back, I ordered a Shakespeare 10 wt BigWater outfit from Cabela’s because I was targeting big bass. And an 8 wt. won’t handle the flies I was wanting to toss.

7

I use flies in the 8"-10" range in the salt.
Flatwings, fishheads, and the whitewater witch mostly. These flies are all fairly slim and are easy to cast with a 9wt, although I use a 10 often.
Some of Sodotti’s flies are much more bulky and require a very good casting technique.
He often will respond to a post in the fly tying forum at [url=http://www.reel-time.com/:4de82]http://www.reel-time.com/[/url:4de82]
You can learn about flatwings at [url=http://www.stripermoon.com/:4de82]http://www.stripermoon.com/[/url:4de82]
Fishheads can be found on Jack Gartside’s site, [url=http://www.jackgartside.com/:4de82]http://www.jackgartside.com/[/url:4de82]

I use my 9wt when fishing very weedy LMB ponds and sometimes take my 10wt when fishing for pike.

[This message has been edited by dudley (edited 27 December 2005).]

8

I have some baitfish patterns that are in the 7-8 inch range that I throw with my 7 wt okay. A lot depends on what materials you use to make the fly. I like to use Icelandic Sheep hair for large baitfish patterns because it provides excellent movement in the water, but it does not “hold” water when you try to cast it. My largest bass so far was just a bit less than 10 lbs on this pattern. I can’t imagine trying to cast a 10-12 wt rod all day. I think an 8 wt would work fine or a 9 wt if you must, but certainly no higher. Just one man’s opinion…

Jim Smith

9

Hey Az,

I tie my own Gurgle Pops on #1 throught #4 hooks that regularly run eight inches or more in length. I call them “King Tiger” Gurgle Pops because of their size. Any WWII vet can tell you where the name comes from. I toss them a pretty good distance using an Orvis #9 wieght rod and a matching Rio Floating Clouser line. 8T

You had better learn to be a happy camper. You only get one try at this campground and it’s a real short camping season.

10

You want to see some big flies that imitate baitfish you should see the ones that Jeff Pierce (Dr. Fish) ties!

Here’s one:
[url=http://www.mustad.no/action/flyofthemonth/archive/jeffsbigmac.htm:46bb1]http://www.mustad.no/action/flyofthemonth/archive/jeffsbigmac.htm[/url:46bb1]

note that the eye is 12mm, that’s about a ? inch and it has a 5/0 and a 3/0 hook in it!

Joe