Anyone tried Fly Fishing for Bass?

Quite a number of people flyfish for bass. Do it you will like it.

Dave Coulson, one of our editors, fished local bass tournaments against anglers using conventional tackle with a fly rod. Dave has many master anger species with a fly rod. Matt Snider who owns Fishexplorer also fishes multi species almost exclusively with a fly rod. I’m sure they will jump in here.

Barry Reynolds has written several fly fishing multi species books. [log in for link]

Back in the late 70s,I knew a fellow that made and fished a deer hair mouse for bass . . . .I think he was using them for some large Trout too.

I fly fish for just about everything. Last year I got 17 species on my fly rod! Bass are actually alot of fun on the fly rod and are not all that difficult compared to some other species to catch. They will take a variety of patterns, but I have had good luck on large leech patterns, damselfly nymphs, crawfish patterns, and streamer patterns like the clouser minnow or kreelex. Some people really enjoy fishing poppers for them, something I have not tried myself.

I have probably caught 50 bass on flies in northern Colorado. Mostly Largemouth, but some Smallmouth. Woolly Buggers works well, Chartreuse is the best color for me. I fish from a float tube mostly. The best action is usually fishing towards shore or a shallow reef.

ive caught some nice bass on the fly, hoppers in the summer, leeches, and white zonkers all have produced for me

Love chasing Smallies on the fly rod. I use mostly articulated streamers and balanced leeches fishing from a float tube. I agree with the above post the best action is fishing toward the shore.

Been fishing fly for bass since a young pup growing up in the SE where they make em fat and hungry! One of my favorite things around here is to hit the ponds when choked with weeds in late summer. Drag a weedless frog over the holes and wait for the torpedo to hit.

yes. sure beats fly fishing for trout.

Warmwater species on the fly are a blast. Fly fishing for bass is going to be more challenging than your spin gear options. You wont reach the same distance and line management can be a hassle. Luckily they are typically close to shore and sight fishing opportunities abound. I've found that bass are relatively easy to please and a simple black leech is all you need to get started. I've caught them on everything from midges to 7 inch game changers. The best days are in the heat of summer when the bass jump feet out of the water chasing one of their favorite snacks.

For big fish I recommend heavy line. Set that hook hard and don't give them an inch once hooked. DO NOT put them on the reel. Just keep stripping them in. IN IN IN till they hit the net.

The clearer the water the more realistic your presentation will need to be. Check out Jay Zimmerman's book on the best bass flies and David Coulson has some great articles available on this site (clouser minnow).

You're going to start out dreaming of big bass. But you'll quickly learn that stalking carp is the apex of warmwater fly fishing.

If you want to talk more/see some fish porn find me on Instagram at illpilgrim

Cheers

I don't specifically fly fish for bass, but will often catch them while fly fishing for panfish on small local ponds - usually on a nymph.
Fun to catch!

One more yes, absolutely. Some clear lakes, with high pressure, the flyrod can be the secret weapon. Depends on the lake/conditions, but I've had good success with big dark buggers - sometimes bead-head, and big weighted stonefly nymphs. Sometimes a sink tip or full sinking line is helpful if the fish are hanging off the bank a bit.

I see robsdad posted on this one. Well Rob , his son ( AKA the fishing DJ) used to do an annual post on how many different species of each one caught. On a good year for me. I could give them a run for their money. But DJ ( Rob) and Flyrodn ( Dave Coulson) were typically one and two. And both are dedicated fly guys. Fly fishing is a very effective way to fish. But line control and management can get to be a real pain in the arse with a feather slinger. I do it once in a while. Keep threatening to do more of it . But it has a steep learning curve. And can be somewhat frustrating .

We get them on the flyrod in the metro ponds. Wooly buggers, muddler minnows, and nymphs all work for us.