Showing posts with label Bass fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bass fishing. Show all posts
Fly Fishing for Largemouth Bass
Like all bass fishing, bass fly fishing has exploded in popularity. The largemouth bass is considered by many the greatest of all gamefish. Once limited to just the Eastern United States, the largemouth bass has been introduced all over the continent. When most people think of bass fishing they think of, stiff fiberglass rods, heavy lines and large lures. But more and more fisherman are finding the advantage of fly fishing for this game fish.
Advantages of fly fishing:
Fly fishing allows the angler a wider variety of food imitations. While large lures only imitate a small number of food sources, flies can imitate virtually all the sources of bass food, including small organisms like nymphs and even dry flies. Fly fisherman can also cast out mice, frog, and a variety of other food sources for these opportunistic feeders. Many times bass are found in shallow water, hiding under or near logs or snags or in weeds. Fly casters have the advantage of more accurate placement, and being able to place their offering quietly without spooking skittish fish.
Bassy Water:
Largemouths usually emerge in early spring albeit a bit sluggish, but nevertheless with a speeding up metabolism, they are seeking food. Most largemouth’s will seek food in the shallows, being territorial the best hiding places will go to the biggest fish. Recognizing a good bass hiding spot is the first step in successful bass fishing. Fallen logs or weedy areas will provide cover for the wary lunker. Often times bass can be spotted by the careful observer, in clear water bass will appear green to pale olive across the back and white to pale yellow in the belly. In some areas a partner system will be beneficial with one angler standing above the water to provide a bird’s eye view. Float tubes can also be helpful allowing an angler to cover a lot of water in shorter amount of time, although you give up some of the advantages of sight angling.
When to Fish:
Largemouth Bass emerge in the early spring from deeper water. The exact timing depends on the region and the severity of the winter. But when ice begins to thaw and the water warms up, the largemouths metabolism begins to quicken albeit slowly at first. The strikes won’t be as hard, as the reticent fish, slurp in minnow patterns. Much like a trout slurps up an emerger pattern.
But once the water begins to warm to 60 degrees. The largemouth’s thoughts turn to spawning. In many areas this is around April. And the bass feed furiously, and seemingly without much thought to selection. It is during this time, that the bass fly fisher can found in their true natural environs. Bass cruising the shoreline in 1-3 feet of water, needing to bulk up for the upcoming spawn. It is then that the bass are the easiest to catch. Being fiercely territorial and in a feeding frenzy, they will attack anything in their path with a ferocity that makes this fish legendary.
After the spawn the bass seeks out deeper water, however, early morning and evening in particular can give one great action all summer long. And with the cooler waters of fall, bass return to activity that makes a trip to your favorite bass whole a worthy endeavor.
Techniques:
Early in the morning, I usually fish the banks with steamers. Casting out Woolly Buggers, Woolly Worms, Muddler Minnows, and even a leech pattern or two. One to three feet of water is where I concentrate, while the bass cruise actively looking for fish to eat.
In the spring time by afternoon I have switched to floating bass bugs. The very thing that makes bass fly fishing so fun. Casting one toward a nice looking bass hiding spot, I allow it to sit there for a few seconds. If you allowed the fly to ‘pop’ upon landing and have a nice bass picked out, often times this all that is needed for the bucketmouth to inhale your offering. Make sure your rod tip is at the proper angle to absorb the hit, or the game will be over before it begins.
If after a few seconds the ‘hit’ doesn’t occur, begin retrieving your fly at intermittent intervals like would occur in nature. This ‘popping’ action is what attracts the bass to your offering. Watch for the wake as the great hunter is not at all shy, and remember especially trout anglers, the bass’s mouth is huge and these animals were built for eating.
Flies:
Well, The Big Y Fly Co. is about selling flies, so you didn’t think we would forget that did you. If it is still unclear bass are opportunistic carnivores with huge mouths, that will eat anything. There are the usual bass bugs that float like the Frog, and the Mouse Rat. Then there are the divers, that float and then sink when you retrieve them, like the Dahlberg divers. And then there are the streamers, like the Woolly Buggers, Clouser minnows. Furthermore for those hot days or big reservoirs, there are sculpins and leeches, that like bass will seek deep water.
The great Largemouth Bass has soared in popularity like few other game fish. If you haven’t ever experienced fighting one of these, you are missing out on something special. Now introduced virtually everywhere throughout the continent on North America, there bound to be some great bass fishing not for from your door.
About The Author
Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company. Http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com. The above article will appear in the Big Y Fly Fishing E-Zine at Http://www.bigyflyco.com/Bigyflyfishingezine.html.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Save Money By Purchasing Discount Fly Fishing Equipment
If you like to experiment with different rods, reels, lines, or tackle, purchasing discount fly fishing equipment is a great way to save money while allowing you to test out different products. Creating the perfect fly fishing setup can take years to complete and this is a great economical solution for many.
Discount fly fishing equipment can come about in many different ways. A store might have purchased an order too large for it to sell and the leftovers have become discounted. Another store might buy in huge bulk quantities which will allow them to sell discount fly fishing equipment.
Selecting Discount Fly Fishing Equipment
There are a couple of things to watch out for when selecting discount fly fishing equipment. You will want to make sure the item is not being sold at a discount because it is damaged. If the item is damaged you should consider how serious the damage is. If it’s just a surface scratch on a rod but it just happens to be the rod you have long desired and could never afford and it is being offered at half price it might be just the thing for you. If the rod is broken in half you might want to reconsider your purchase.
Watch out for “open box” discount fly fishing equipment. This has likely been returned by someone. See if the salesperson knows the reason for the return. Make sure all parts that should be included are all there and working.
Purchasing demo equipment is another way to save money when selecting items for your fly fishing setup. People do not always take it easy on demo items and you will want to make sure that whatever item you are considering purchasing is still in good shape.
You can add components to your salt water fly fishing equipment setup or you can add another tackle bag to your collection. Purchasing discount fly fishing equipment is a great way to indulge your hobby without spending a fortune.
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Protect Your Rod With A Fly Fishing Rod Case
Fly fishing rod cases can be simple and inexpensive but they offer the greater benefit of protecting your fly fishing rod.
Things To Look For In A Fly Fishing Rod Case
If you will be salt water fly fishing you will want to make sure that the fly fishing rod case that you purchase will be able to tolerate the salt. A lot of cases have rivets which are in place to drain water or zippers to keep the case closed. Salt water can cause erosion on both rivets and zippers and you will want to make sure that your fly fishing rod case was constructed to be durable enough to withstand the conditions it will be exposed to.
If you know you will be doing a lot of walking or that you will need to carry your fishing gear a long distance to get to your optimal fishing location pick gear that is lightweight and comfortable to carry. Select a fly fishing rod case that is light weight and has a comfortable carrying strap. Then when you get to your fishing spot you will not be exhausted from your hike and you have the energy to do something fun like tie fly fishing knots instead.
If you like to bring multiple rods along for your fishing excursions select a fly fishing rod case that can accommodate multiple rods.
You can purchase rod tubes that are great for attaching to your car for easy transportation of your fishing equipment. The tubes come in different sizes in order to accommodate a variety of rods.
For your home you can purchase a wall rack that will allow you to display your rods while at the same time keeping them safe. Similar models are available that sit on the floor and display your collection of rods just the same. Many of these rod display racks can be customized to a particular theme or with your name.
Do not forget to protect your reel either. Whether you purchase a case that can hold both the rod and reel or purchase individual cases to accommodate each it is important to keep both pieces protected to avoid damage to either.
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