Choosing What Size Flies For Bass
WouterChoosing the right size of fly is crucial when angling for bass. Bass have large appetites and prefer big meals, so you need to choose the appropriate fly size for the size of the bass you want to catch. In general, bass are attracted to surface flies that mimic large food items. These types of flies can be fished in a variety of colors and patterns. Try fishing the Dahlberg Diver, Clouser’s Floating Minnow, Umpqua Swimming Frog, and Whitlock’s Deerhair Bass Bug.
Bass are finicky eaters and will eat a variety of flies, so you should consider using different patterns in order to attract them. The best patterns to use for bass fishing are imitations of crayfish or fry. These flies will work well for both freshwater and saltwater bass. While terrestrials are not as effective for bass fishing, sand eels and plastic/rubber shrimp patterns will work.
If you’re new to fly fishing, bass are an excellent choice to start with. These fish are forgiving of a variety of mistakes, including heavier leaders and improper casting. In addition, they will often attack a fly with tenacity. Largemouth bass will easily knock off your fly if you aren’t prepared.
While a five-weight fly rod works for most bass, larger flies require heavier rods. The size of your fly rod and flies will play a big role in the success of your fishing trip. A five to six-weight fly rod is best for most bass and is a great choice in conditions of no wind or heavy weed cover. However, if wind is present and you want to use a heavier fly, you’ll need a rod with eight or nine-weights.
