Bass Fly Rod

[apenland01]

I'm looking to get a fly rod for bass fishing.  Anyone have/use one that make a recommendation?  I'm just currently looking and doing research on what I'm needing.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Send a PM to Bigjim5589. He is our resident expert on fly fishing and I'm sure he can get you pointed in the right direction. 

P.S. He is the mod for our Tackle Box board. Look there for one of his threads or replies and you can hit the icon to send him a message from there. 

[apenland01]

Thanks Smallie,

I actually went ahead and ordered a rod, reel, backing and line from Bass Pro a few minutes ago.  The stock available is poor, so I chose what was available and seemed to be what I was looking for.  Below is what I went with based on availability and affordability.

St. Croix Mojo Bass Fly Rod - 9 feet, 8 weight, 2 piece - $159
Orvis Clearwater Reel - 7/8/9 bass fishing fly reel - $98
Rio yellow Dacron backing - 20lb - $10
White River Fly Shop Bass Taper Fly Line - WF, 8 weight, Floating - $33

All in for about $300.  I've got some new bass flies and I'm excited to give them a shot.  The bass are killing dragon flies right now, so it should be fun...

[Bassinkorea]

I have an 8wt Sage 4 piece fly rod for throwing my bigger bass flies, but I have also used my 6wt trout fly rod with smaller flies and have had a blast on many occasion. Catching bass, especially bigger ones on a fly rod is a whole different kind of fun 

[bigjim5589]

Smallie, thanks for the vote of confidence!    I've been fly fishing a very long time, much of it for bass, but not sure I necessarily qualify as an expert. 

apenland01, sounds like you made a good choice to me. St Croix certainly produces excellent rods, and that Mojo Bass model gets a lot of good compliments. As far as the rest, sounds like the basics are covered well, which is all you really need for chasing bass.

I like TFO rods, but those I have are in the Lefty Kreh signature series, not even the "better" models that TFO has. They've been great for me. I started with a Cortland fiberglass 8 wt, back in '66 and today's rods are much better in many aspects, even  "economy" rods are probably better than the old fiberglass.

I strongly suggest to folks to get a bass taper, or similar line, as they're going to help with distance for the bigger flies that are often used for bass. However, I tend to use flies that are a lot bigger than many folks will use for bass, and I use a 10 wt setup often because of it. Also like the heavier setup for fishing in the snags, which is no different than using a heavy baitcasting outfit for the same purpose.

Dacron backing is all you need too, no need for gel spun. If that reel will hold at least 50 yards of backing, you're fine for bass fishing. Most of the larger reels will handle 100 yards so you have that covered.

The only thing you didn't mention was leaders. You'll get many opinions on that, but general rule, as you go bigger or heavier with flies, go heavier and shorter with the leader. You will hear folks talk about tippet, which is part of the leader. It is not a separate item. However, "tippet material" is sold for adding to the leader. "Tippet" is actually the end of the leader where the fly is attached, but use of the term has been changed over the years. Tippet material is sold on spools and is rated by "X" designations, from 0X down to about 9X. The larger the number the finer the material. Ignore all that, you don't really need it for bass. For the flies you're showing, regular 10lb mono or fluorocarbon bulk lines will work as well as the spooled tippet material, particularly if you already have it. I make my leaders using Yozuri Hybrid, and it's worked well for me. If you're fishing a lighter outfit & small flies for trout, where drag on the fly may be a concern, the "X" designated tippet might have some advantage, but I've yet to see it for targeting bass, so save your money. Bass fishing is more of a "power fishing" endeavor than finesse, so dainty tippets are not required.

Flies are like lures, in that you never have enough, and you'll always see new types that you'll want to get and try!    The bait monkey likes fly fishing too! 

Selecting flies also applies the same as for lures, cover the water column to be successful. Of course most folks agree that topwater will always be the most fun to fish with, but won't always be the best choice. What you have will get you started, that's for sure.

If you have never tried to cast a fly rod, then it would be a good idea to get some instruction. That will shorten the learning curve. One big mistake that many folks new to fly fishing make, it attempting to cast too far, and trying to force the cast. The rod does the work if you let it, and power in a fly cast comes from the rod & line, not from the person holding the rod.

I hope it turns out to be enjoyable for you. I certainly enjoy fly fishing the most of any method, but it's not the only tackle I'll use and not always the best choice.

As I mentioned. I've been at this a long time, so any help I can give you as you get going, please feel free to ask. I may not know all the answers, but may be able to send you to someone who can help you if I can't.

Welcome to a new addiction! 

[big g]

Many years ago there were two guys that only used fly rods out on the Alley.  I followed them one day and they did quite well with big bass topwater.  They were quite old, but had a great time with their fishing.  Fighting big bass on a fly rod looked like a hoot!

[bigjim5589]

I have an 8wt Sage 4 piece fly rod for throwing my bigger bass flies, but I have also used my 6wt trout fly rod with smaller flies and have had a blast on many occasion. Catching bass, especially bigger ones on a fly rod is a whole different kind of fun 

I own several fly setups now, and have caught bass on 3 weights, and up to my 10 wt. When all I had was a 6 wt., I used it for a lot of years. It's no different than using other tackle, as one weight won't do all things. But, some fly setups are generally considered a good general use choice for bass, and many folks will say that an 8 wt, is possibly the number one choice.

I do agree with you that it's a different type of fun with bass. Can be nerve racking at times too! 

I feel that the many years of fly fishing for bass has made me a better bass fisher with other tackle too. It forces you to slow down, and let the tackle do it's job. Once I understood that and applied it, I did better with catching, and wasn't just fishing. So, it's a learning process and takes a little time & effort, but well worthwhile in my opinion. 

[bigjim5589]

Many years ago there were two guys that only used fly rods out on the Alley.  I followed them one day and they did quite well with big bass topwater.  They were quite old, but had a great time with their fishing.  Fighting big bass on a fly rod looked like a hoot!

In my efforts to learn to fly fish, particularly for bass, I read a lot of magazine articles. There was several of the older writers, who wrote about their adventures with chasing bass down in FL and other places. I still have some books, that some of the same writers had either written or were mentioned in, with photo's of them waist deep in places like Okeechobee, or in jon boats that they poled like a flats boat, to get to the bass.

That was always an inspiration to me. These were well known outdoors writers like Charles Waterman, AJ McClane, and Joe Brooks, who back when I was getting started were pioneers in the sport, and who promoted fly fishing, but not just for trout. I liked going to a stream and casting flies for trout too, but had more bass fishing opportunities closer to home, so that's why my interest in fly fishing for bass developed.  I grew up close to the Chesapeake Bay too, and learned about brackish water bass, and Striped Bass on fly tackle, and that was all part of my interest in fly fishing. I certainly have no regrets!

[apenland01]

In my efforts to learn to fly fish, particularly for bass, I read a lot of magazine articles. There was several of the older writers, who wrote about their adventures with chasing bass down in FL and other places. I still have some books, that some of the same writers had either written or were mentioned in, with photo's of them waist deep in places like Okeechobee, or in jon boats that they poled like a flats boat, to get to the bass.

That was always an inspiration to me. These were well known outdoors writers like Charles Waterman, AJ McClane, and Joe Brooks, who back when I was getting started were pioneers in the sport, and who promoted fly fishing, but not just for trout. I liked going to a stream and casting flies for trout too, but had more bass fishing opportunities closer to home, so that's why my interest in fly fishing for bass developed.  I grew up close to the Chesapeake Bay too, and learned about brackish water bass, and Striped Bass on fly tackle, and that was all part of my interest in fly fishing. I certainly have no regrets!

Hey Jim,

You and I have discussed fly fishing before.  I fished the quality waters on the San Juan in New Mexico, Chama and few Colorado rivers for various trout.  Those were with light leaders and 2x tippet or smaller fishing 26 or 27 red midge to start.

This isn't that kind of fishing LOL....

I got these flies and thought to myself, "there's no way in hell my trout rig will handle a big fish".  So I set out to find a workable fly rig for bass.  My first choice was the Bass Pro Heat at $99, but out of stock.  The Mojo was next in the price line and the Orvis reel was reasonable and in stock.  Dacron backing is all I've ever used and my leader will just be 10 or 12 pound mono on these bass flies.  I don't think I'll need a tippet, just a longer leader to the float line.

Thanks for the discussion!