Around south east Tennessee, the most popular fish is the LM Bass. I have been fishing with several buddies and neighbors and all us spin rods and plastic worms/lizards. I am new to the world of bass fishing and have only taken fishing seriously. I picked up a fly rod this winter for the first time and still have some learning to do. I have spent many days on the trout stream and have recently been trying LMB fishing with buddies.
The last few times, the water temps have been around 90 degs and the bass have been hanging close to the banks of the river under the trees. (I understand why) and my Clouser minnows and Buggers just haven’t been producing. Last weekend, my buddy pulled out 7-8 with a Lizard and I got one decent Sunfish. I came home a little discouraged.
I’ve been using a rabbit zonker clouser (guess thats the best description) and it’s been producing ok. I’d be happy to send you a few. The pond I’ve been fishing has plenty of weeds & moss and this one, which rides with the hook up does not pick up too much.
Do you tie your own? We make ours weedless useing ss wire, guitar string wire, or single strand ss trolling wire. Just like the Eagle Claw weedless worm hooks, only we do it after the bug is made.
Toss’em ANYWHERE!
…lee s.
Pick up a copy of “Bassin With a Fly Rod” by Jack Ellis. He has lots of tips and flys that has help me improve my catch. Also there are several articles on FAOL if you do a search.
This may not be popular on this website but I enjoy all types of fishing. Personally I don?t like fishing deep with a fly rod. I love fishing top water to 3 feet with the fly rod. In my opinion you will catch many more LM Bass with a spin or casting outfit and lures typically used with them. It depends on what you want?productivity or enjoyment. I do enjoy fly fishing the most and spend many hours fishing on top when I know that I will catch more on the bottom with spinning gear.
Try some large (size 2 and 4) bass poppers, pencil poppers, and Crease flies on the surface. Wire weedguards inserted through the body of poppers work or mono loop weedguards. If the bass are picky, try some size 8 Deer Hair Caddis flies. Dick Stewart’s Bass Flies is a good book if you tie your own flies. Best of luck.
Leo C.:
<<I’ve been using a rabbit zonker clouser (guess thats the best description) and it’s been producing ok.>>
I recently received one of these in black in a swap I did. It was called a “Gill Buster” but I haven’t made some for myself. Will have to give it a go.
Lee S:
<<Do you tie your own? We make ours weedless useing ss wire>>
Yes, I LOVE tying. I think I enjoy tying more than fishing if that is possible. I would like more info on wire diameters and how you make the setup. Is it a loop or straight?
Jeff:
Thanks for the book recommendation…I will have to find a copy. I have looked through some of the FAOL articles but haven’t exhausted them yet.
rorsborn:
I spent many years trying to be productive with a spin rod and I have enjoyed this hobby much more with my fly rod setups. I know there are pros and cons with both and I still use my spin rods from time to time. I just am trying to understand more aspects of the fly side of the hobby and how to fish LM Bass this time of year.
dixieangler:
I will have to tie up some poppers. I have a few but haven’t had any luck with them. Shouldn’t I be trying more sub flys this time of year? Seems like they are lower and under cover. Just can’t seem to see how to get the fly close enough. Maybe I just need to practice more and it will come together.
Thanks everyone for the advice. Maybe I just am too new to this side of the hobby. Anybody have some links to some good flys I could try? What are “bass bugs” and are they used often?
The last few times, the water temps have been around 90 degs and the bass have been hanging close to the banks of the river under the trees.
I suggested poppers and Crease flies because of your above reference to the bass being shallow.
I will have to tie up some poppers. I have a few but haven’t had any luck with them.
I am confident that you will have luck with them in time at the right time .
Shouldn’t I be trying more sub flys this time of year? Seems like they are lower and under cover. Just can’t seem to see how to get the fly close enough.
I would try both surface and subsurface. If one isn’t working maybe the other one will. Casting practice so you can get the fly into the strike zone will most definately help .
What are “bass bugs” and are they used often?
I think what is meant by “bass bug” is a “hair bug” of some sort. Usually similar to the shapes of a popper but tied (by spinning or stacking) with deer body hair, antelope, and so on. I believe they are used very often with good results .
I think you are in the right church but wrong pew. I have been catching Spotted Bass here in North Georgia with my Fly Rod for the past month. I have found that in high pressure lakes a Fly Rodder will win over conventional tackle.
Here is why. You are going to present a different lure, with a lot less noise. It does not spook the fish.
Yesterday I caught a 14" spotted bass using a Rubber Legged dragon Fly. You can see this fly at [url=http://www.flyfishga.com.:24214]www.flyfishga.com.[/url:24214] This fly sinks and is deadly on Bass. Dave Whitlock has a number of fly and techniques that will help you beat those spin fishers
All I can say is learn from the Spin Fishers. And then adapt your own style.
There was one day I followed a spin fisher. After he came up empty I pulled a Bass out of the same water he had just fished.
Try tying a lizard fly. You never know what you will get.
Fly Rodders win over Spin fishers in shallow water every time.
Some different flies to try:
Mickey Finn
Prince Nymph
Gold Ribbed Hares Ear
Muddler Minnow
Poppers
Any of these might wake a sleeping giant when the other flies have failed. You might want to try a different retrieve. Bring the fly in slowly. When it gets real hot everything slows down.
jed
jed
[This message has been edited by Jed (edited 04 June 2006).]
Thanks for the suggestions. I will keep trying different approaches.
Yes, the water I have been fishing is quite shallow. I have been in bays that are 1/2 a mile accross and only 4 feet deep most of the way accross. The fish that my buddy has caught were hanging out at the shoreline under tree cover and water weeds.
Maybe it all comes down to casting practice and better weedguards.
<<I think you are in the right church but wrong pew… You are going to present a different lure, with a lot less noise. It does not spook the fish.>>
You are singing to the choir here! hehehe I just keep thinking that those bass are tired of seeing Zoom rubber lizards and something I tie different will help me catch the next fish easier.
Jed:
Thanks for the fly suggestions…I have all of those in my fly box. I just thought they were trout flys Guess I need to try more of my selection.
Use yor trout skills. Identify the types and colors & sizes of the minnows, crayfish , and ajust your flies accordingly. it might require a non fishing field trip. I also need to add that your flies should be weedless so you can fish more efficiently
[This message has been edited by okflyfisher (edited 06 June 2006).]
Fly Tying and Fly Fishing for Bass and Panfish; by Tom Nixon. (If you tie your own flies) Tom’s book may be hard to find.
A Nixon disciple named Ron Knight has just published a book from Frank Amato, titled: Fly-Rod Spinner Baits. Again, it shows you how to “tie” these creations.
As a guy who can be in warm water fishing in 10 minutes, I hope these books keep coming.
Swing hard, in case they throw the ball where you’re swinging. Duke Snider
Here is a “second” for muddlers. Also, I have had good luck this spring with very simple rabbit fur flies. Simply a 1-2" piece of fur tied in as a tail, and another piece palmered around the hook shank. I have tied both with and without a weight. Normally, these are tied on a (don’t laugh) bass worm hook, when tied clouser style, the hook rides point up, and the bass have been overly enthusiastic about it. Black, white, and brown all seem to work.
Thanks for the info on your Rabbit fur fly. I just was reading about Skip M’s Leech patterns that he makes with zonker strips. I haven’t bought any because I read somewhere that they cast like a wet sock. I have a bad elbow from work and like to cast with the lighter stuff where possible. My favorite rod is my 2wt and then my 4wt.
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Guess I need to try more of my selection.