Fly Fishing

Piscineidiot · Newbie Joined: Feb 01, 2007 Posts: 8

Hi everyone,

I'm the one from Australia, and rather enjoy fishing for our native barramundi. The places I regularly fish for them tend to be dammed stretches of freshwater river, which has heavy weed and lily growth.

Judging from what I've seen of bass comps and bass fishing games etc. from the US, I'm assuming that largemouths are often fished for in very similar environments.

So, I'm curious as to how people in the US fish for bass. What kinds of tactics do you use, especially at night?

Thanks in advance,

Owen

mro · Newbie Joined: Mar 07, 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Hayward, CA

When I lived in Florida 75% of the time I fished on top. Liked the cork poppers but also used some deer hair flies too. Most of the ponds/small lakes were shallow ( less than 5' deep) and were not fishable from shore. Had a 10' john boat, only about 65 pounds which I would carry thru the bush to get to ponds.

Out here in California most bass I catch are on streamers which I've tied with "lead eyes" dumb bells. Prefer rabbit fur tied similar to a zonker. Most of the time I fish for em in the Sacramento delta (convenient, have boat dock). Seldom get any over about 4 pounds but now and then while fishing for black bass, hook up a stripped bass which can go over 20 pounds but most of the time 6 to 8 pounds.

Florida bass fishing was excellent. places I fished were hard to get to and the banks were over grown. Never saw anyone fish a few of em but me.
Only fished here once at night. Every pond has gators, snakes and spiders hanging from branches as well as mosquitoes and no-see-ems. I had a propane lantern mounted on the bow which only lighted a small area. In such a small boat was rather intimidated when a gator as big as the boat surfaced along side. Was bad enough during the day, but at least you could normally see em coming.

mro

Steelie · Newbie Joined: Sep 24, 2006 Posts: 79 Location: Erie, PA

There was an article in Fly Fisherman Magazine about largemouth bass fishing the California Delta.

NWflyFisher · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:40 pm Post subject:

I would have to suggest a size 4 mouse fly for those hot summer nights.
A slow drag across the surface seams to work best.

clint

Piscineidiot · Newbie Joined: Feb 01, 2007 Posts: 8

Thanks guys, all very interesting indeed. Will definitely give all that a go.

For my part, the waters I fish are generally shallow, weedy banks. The fish average around the 8lb mark, and can achieve well over 40lb (exceptional though). We also have the snake and insect problem here, but thankfully, as the river has been dammed, there are no saltwater crocodiles up that far. We still get the odd freshwater croc, but they're quite shy and won't hurt you unless you're being an utter git.

I like using dahlbergs a lot, and strangely, the ones I caught most of my fish/got the most bites on were mouse-like on 1/0s. I've since moved up in hook size as barramundi have cavernous mouths and a larger gape is necessary for better purchase.

All the same, thank you all.

OWen

mainesean1 · Newbie Joined: Jun 10, 2006 Posts: 6

I've had good luck with a simple black woolly bugger. If there are dragonflies around try a purple bugger with a long tail. Caught a big largemouth last summer on one. Good Luck.

bonefisher · Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:44 am Post subject:

Definately get a large assortment of top water poppers. all different colors and sizes. I've caught more bass in my life than any other fish and the popper is the way to go.. also the deer hair mouse is a good fly for at night..... besides that anything that is pretty big and looks goofy will usually trigger a bass strike.....

good luck,

bonefisher

Piscineidiot · Newbie Joined: Feb 01, 2007 Posts: 8

Thanks guys, all very useful tips.

I'm interested to know though, how do you increase the durability of deer hair? I'm lucky in that most of my fish are hooked in the corner of the mouth, however, when it comes down to it, dahlbergs and the like aren't the most durable of flies. So, what to do? Do you drip superglue onto the finished product, or is there a better way?

Thanks again,

Owen