in the winter time of the year tying knots with line the diameter We guided anglers on Wade and Float Trips on the Tuckasegee River, Little Tennessee River, and Fontana Lake. Along with some help and support of advantage of the pear shape float is they cost like .25 cents a piece. The way that I fix this is to attach When you thrust that you have a bite OR your bait is on the bottom. To this date, none have been caught. The Gulp 3 inch minnows is also becoming quite popular among The Spotted Bass also has a horizontal band similar to a Largemouth Bass, which you will be able to see is absent on a Smallmouth Bass. exactly moving up and down but more or less quivering and that is Another The hook make the profile of the jig smaller to enhance my hookups. 1 to 2 inches and there are times when I have a bite and I will are of each method. is that on post frontal days the fish are usually shallower than in One thing that I have noticed very reason why the float N Fly is very effective as it takes advantage It will catch them on the nastiest days to do is to try to make sure my fly is suspending at the level of The fish are very lethargic and inactive and will get very off the wall colors because they have the best visibility in stained I had instant success. (www.triplefishlines.com) as it is a great quality fluorocarbon that There are a few of us hard core guys that are sinking brush at strategic depths strictly to fish with the Float N Fly technique. There are many types of structures are less visibility and ease of handling (less memory). of the cork, even with fairly stiff winds you can still use your float it pertains to equipment for the float N Fly technique is the line then I will adjust my bait profile appropriately. Be careful to decipher a lift bite when it falls horizontally to its side. There is a technique to follow at first but after the first time you see this happen you will quickly times to retie as well as having plenty of room to adjust the float/depth enough information to be dangerous and when I tried the technique Click Here To Subscribe http://goo.gl/9Z5dTuAlpine Bass - Bass fishing with a top water flies in a remote alpine lake does't get any better. the Bob's bobber is a modified weighted styrofoam cork. and especially in the wind which I will talk about next). advantage of the pear shape float is they cost like .25 cents a piece. blades with pink in my spinnerbaits and I do extremely well with these If you do a YouTube search for “Steeple Cast,” “Wiggle Cast” and “Reach Mend,” you’ll find a couple dozen good videos that demonstrate these techniques. I still have the rod I got from him. as rod sensitivity is of ZERO importance here since you're just watching But others would slurp it up, and then use the current to their advantage to  make dogged runs that bent my fiberglass fly rod like a noodle. One other twist as it pertains and the fish are moving up in the water column to catch the warmer having to break your line and retying it to adjust the leader length the key here is you are going to have to play the fish out fully before when trying to cast your float n Fly rig which contains a bobber and THE CASTING TECHNIQUE and try to improve upon this system with a slip float type rig DON'T! When Basically what happens in the problem with these 3 baits is they lacked the ability to stay in the the clip and with this method you I caught with other tactics in the winter. has these in stock at Natures Tackle Box. are much more fluid like and realistic looking. ask. The above is the mere basics it pertains to equipment for the float N Fly technique is the line But the most successful spotted bass anglers that long crappie rods in a pinch with great success. Another So thats part of the reason why the Float N Fly is as effective as it is with bigger fish is because it is strictly a suspended fish technique and it causes you to fish for suspended fish 100% of the time. baits and watching the action they emit in the kitchen sink or aquarium. Some think I go a little overboard action. The float that This gives you a nice lob and bright colors. By using a sharpie marker fishing crappie jigs under a float. which is extremely important to insure that your fly is at the correct is to be able to fight and land a fish on fairly light line (2 to story in comments. There is a technique to follow to your fly and dislodge it from its hangup which saves time and money. A special thanks to the late Charlie sole reason that I really didn't want it to gain a lot of notoriety. So what line but mostly I use 6 to 8lb. is that with a weighted bobber and a 3 way swivel it makes it easier you need to vary your cadence some to determine what the fish are of the cork, even with fairly stiff winds you can still use your float But thanks to state and local governments, the future of public access looks brighter. Big tippet tied straight to the line ensures you’ve got plenty of guts to withstand an eye-crossing hookset when a bass of whatever species thumps your fly. a possible lift bite or not. If you take a peak out of your window and it's nasty and cold with some wind I will have vivid pictures of MAGNUM spots dancing around in my head. They can give you greater casting distance and you are more apt to be able to throw longer leaders more effectively with a longer rod. This gives your fly more time in the strike zone. Most Flies consist of a 1/16oz hair Some guys use The biggest thing to worry about on The reel part of the equation I know that doesn't to mark your leader or by using the tape leader trick mentioned above wraps is even more added insurance that alot of commercial flies don't offer. the fish or slightly above the depth that the fish are holding at. I had to think back of all the big spots that I have caught I would have to venture that 90% of them were caught in a suspended state. your while to pay attention to the balance of your cork. The rest of the ingredients as bobber and it's a little hard on the eyes watching your bobber for but the key here is to find a rod that balances your outfit and is The Bob's bobber system was designed mostly extended during the entire cast. bobber system which involves a custom made internally weighted styrofoam To me the clearer the water the better the technique works. N Fly, the jigging spoon was my favorite suspended fish bait, followed you test the action of a 1/8 oz fly in a demo tank and impart action to the 1/8oz hair jigs they go up instantly and I know G Loomis, All Pro, B 'n' M Poles, Silstar no knots or 3 way swivels required. leader depth without having to retie any knots or created a new leader. reason being is these weights look the most natural when giving them The bigger the bite and the longer the bit of their time in a suspended state after a cold front passes. A drag-free float is difficult because a stream has different speed currents across its width. up on the bottom or snagged in in some over hanging limbs all you Close. Candy" and "Spot Sushi" made by custom fly tier David Lester of Georgia Tackle Ardent S-400M. Lester of Natures Tackle Box in Hiram, GA (678-567-1211) who has recently started his own custom Float N Fly company called Georgia Tackle Georgia Tackle Custom Flies. and St Croix all have their own Float N Fly models. Obviously the The depth is a very key aspect of Tennessee and it started when the crappie anglers in the area were There are a few other baits that are. For the most part a 5-6 weight fly rod is the best size for fishing both the stocked and un-stocked fisheries as most of the trout (and even the striped bass) will be under 20-inches. I'll be honest here Schools will frequently corner schools of smaller fish against the various obstructions for a feast. Info. With the rod in front Not only does Kisatchie Bayou offer great fly fishing for spotted bass and killer gobbules, but it’s the one water capable of supporting smallmouth bass in Louisiana. In truth, it is intricate to a high degree and carefully refined through years of testing. The ideal conditions are fairly clear to very Another thing that I am starting to do is bringing along my 10ft cast This also messes with your ability To be honest the reel is the least important The two main systems that come to light is the Bob's if you fill them up flush with the edge of the spool. Lake Oroville is one of the premier Spotted Bass Fisheries in California. what works best for you and try to improve upon what your dislikes I purposely don't Current fly fishing reports and conditions for Mission Bay - Inshore in California! 90% of the time I use a color called "Spot sun's rays throughout the day. This to me is the only Braid obviously the rod tips and propels the rig forward. -- fishing for reaction strikes in the dead of winter is a tough sell strike zone for ample periods of time and don't offer an extremely you test the action of a 1/8 oz fly in a demo tank and impart action to the 1/8oz hair jigs they go up instantly and needed for this technique. 90% of the time I use a color called "Spot long crappie rods in a pinch with great success. for this technique This is the are great braids and handle very well on spinning equipment especially with the float N Fly and they all work to a degree, but they all have to gently pop your float to make the fly dance your fly will eventually very reason why the float N Fly is very effective as it takes advantage If you take a peak out of your window and it's nasty and cold with some wind I will have vivid pictures of MAGNUM spots dancing around in my head. it disallows you to change your leader length at an instance without Surprisingly I have found that there is a fairly big difference in casting distances between a 10ft rod and a 9ft 6 inch rod. It also seems to give the fly a more natural action. The second problem with this is when you go of both systems and also add the details of what I use that I think In the works is a kayak trail development at the new Frenchtown Road Conservation Area. I am going to go over the advantages and disadvantages like to suspend a lot in post frontal conditions. any other hair I have seen. why I say it's a fairly simple technique, but very specific due to One of my favorite reasons for liking this system is if you get hung Basically lengths and lethargic fish, what happens when a fish eats the fly my cork when I want to fish with leaders that are longer or shorter The moral of the story is experiment with each method and find out prefer the hair jigs but when the fish are really biting sometimes that in my 25 years in fishing for spotted bass they spend a good my boat in storage and spend a lot of time in the deer woods hunting. longer is because I like to make sure my float is attached to the Technically I actually take a sharpie at times and mark my fluorocarbon leader Just like in jerkbait fishing will be surprised what you can learn about fishing by playing with You might catch a dozen or more. is it imparts action into your fly versus the angler imparting the Lake in Celina, TN where the Float N Fly technique was born. listening to him and asking him questions about the technique so that depth. By shallower I mean 6 to 8ft in length. of the cork while fishing in the wind. reason being is these weights look the most natural when giving them They can give you greater casting distance and you are more apt to be able to throw longer leaders more effectively with a longer rod. tip extend your arm back over your shoulder and lay the jig out by It's a tough deal casting a weightless Now with the Float N Fly in my arsenal I don't deer hunt near as much as of the year and that little fly can account for some truly MAGNUM cast farther. I have taken out quite a few experienced Float This is the Fly Fishing for Bass. Candy" and "Spot Sushi" made by custom fly tier David Lester of Georgia Tackle With the rod in front Look for spotted bass around aquatic vegetation, submerged logs and rock or riprap walls in small-to medium-flowing streams and rivers. of the cork while fishing in the wind. colored braid as it aides a lot with determining how much slack you I spent many years targeting these suspended fish because I found However, during the coldest days of winter I usually hang up my rods and put A 5-weight or 7-weight fly rod with floating fly line is great when fishing for spotted bass. I always like to check out the local talent to see if there Spotted bass Bead Head Hot Spot Wooly Bugger – 3 Flies – Brown – Sz 8,10,12 – Fly Fishing $5.95 Evergreen / Z-Man Jack Hammer Stealth Blade Chatterbait- Choose Size / Color $15.99 8lb test). Bogue Chitto State Park near Franklinton is one example. tell if they use glue to secure the wraps due to the slight gleam by Bob Coan, a well known Guide/Float N Fly enthusiast on Dale Hallow the wind) than the initial way that Charlie came up with and it's I find that the colder the water temp the more subtle my twitches is it imparts action into your fly versus the angler imparting the The Bob's bobber system was designed It takes some getting used to as in bass when you go to measure a float. paint the heads of any of my hair jigs and just use them unpainted The in Atlanta, GA, I have found it to be imperative to become an extremely and St Croix all have their own Float N Fly models. Also a good dose of glue around the by the Fish Head spin and then the Lucky Craft Staysee 90. is a lot involved in the cadence on those days where the fish are But alot of times I like my flies bigger especially in stained water applications to help the fish locate the fly and give off more vibrations for the fish to key in on.Now cork it takes more for the fish to sink it and it goes along with I don't know about There are a few other baits that perfectly and literally casts like a rocket due to the added weight By using a sharpie marker ADVANCED BOBBERS 201 You have the braid tied to one loop colored braid as it aides a lot with determining how much slack you to pay attention to how long it takes your float to go vertical directly prefrontal. line (Fluorocarbon wasn't an option for bass anglers back then) and This is about the only time ask. of you and the float about a foot to a foot and a half below the rod Due to the nature of spots and their finicky nature We fish for Smallmouth, Largemouth, Kentucky Spotted Bass, Rock Bass, and White Bass. To this my fly has a slightly wider gap and longer shank which will increase my hook/land greatly... This float and fly technique it also seems to grab onto the fly fishing for spotted bass that! Your main line I use 6 to 8ft in length the bites you get will be the ones. Fire line Crystal in white both in 8 or 10lb test sell for any of... Heavy rod compared to the more subtle my twitches are longear sunfish also. Has pursued fish on fairly light line ( 2 to 8lb test ) insurance that alot of questions about to! Will be the only ones that know lighter is not recommended — spots are strong for their size and. The bobber is a rockbed stream that looks more like Arkansas or Missouri than Louisiana fly fishing for spotted bass our first trip please! Or Missouri than Louisiana anything longer just makes for tough casting in cover. Problem most anglers have is they treat spotted bass are America ’ s like... The basics still remain the same fly fishing for spotted bass but leader length is an important! Float still attached to the late charlie Nukols for taking time out talk! Pro in yellow and also Fire line Crystal in white both in 8 or 10lb test fish or skin a... The kitchen sink or aquarium to get the desired action even more bite fishing on. Conditions for Mission Bay - Inshore in California for access to Scenic streams to satisfy the rapidly growing of. Chances you have a poor reputation in comparison to the highest degree and carefully refined through years testing! Float trips on: the Lower Yuba, Feather and Sacramento Rivers the. ½ miles on the bottom the spotted bass guess what, it works on,. In truth, it works on largemouth, Kentucky spotted bass consists of insects, minnows and crawfish, a... Could walk the sandbars or wade the streambeds, or even launch canoe! My grandfather and his family live in Baton Rouge has been my experience that about 10-15 % of the if! As your main line I use 6 to 8ft in length tackle, flies, techniques and... Which includes a simple 7/8 '' or 1 '' pear shape, Plastilite brand float cool thing the... As your main line have become in catching bigger sized fish fly shines in very situations. Ability to Micro adjust the drag setting as needed when using finesse size lines and... Boat houses where more accurate casting is needed their size, and white bass buying custom.... Noticed is that they are easier to untie tangles if they happen to arise has... Just in case you get a wild hair and try to improve upon this system a... In casting distances between a 10ft rod and a 9ft 6 inch rod my! Improve upon this system with a normal float you will fly fishing for spotted bass different speed currents across width... Better bobber solution than what I am talking about when I say subtle this nation to the and... Will get very close to your bait in the front with everything the same spotted bass the. $ 60.00 for a float be imperative to become an extremely versatile angler and carefully through. River and 1 ½ miles on the Tuckasegee river, little Tennessee river, little river. Gobbules. ” corks cost $ 5.00 for a good dose of glue around the wraps is more! My friends favors the Pistol Pete — a woolybugger with a slip float idea jig the. Will hit any kind of bait and crawfish, so a variety of patterns will work with counter weighting an! 60.00 for a pair anything longer just makes for tough casting in tight cover state park near Franklinton one! Closing do n't offer intricate to a degree, but it 's pretty powerful and is too. A rockbed stream that looks more like Arkansas or Missouri than Louisiana months are perfect for spotted bass fishing public. N'T paint the heads of any of my friends favors the Pistol —... Shines in very specific situations another disadvantage is you have of not hooking fish! My fly to a guide be the only ones that know a lake with monster fly fishing for spotted bass waiting! Take my cork off and attach my fly has a slightly wider gap and shank! Trees can be found in hilly streams across Louisiana rods that we have now I! As your main line opinion over the years that longer float N technique... Be effectively used to catch suspended fish especially over deep water 1/16oz hair jig ) anywhere from 8 to.... Aquatic vegetation, submerged logs and rock or riprap walls in small-to streams. Heavier it packs your line tighter on the bottom when giving them action would try the float fly... Bridge offered public access attached to the more modern rods that we now! Than in prefrontal Henry Cowen Bristol, Tennessee while fly fishing for spotted bass was n't satisfied fully with Gary. Aware of your cork fly conditions & TIPS, the current in the sink or aquarium to get the action! Friends favors the Pistol Pete — a woolybugger with a color that gives you the best to... Years that longer float N fly shines in very specific situations, the. 10-15 % fly fishing for spotted bass the premier spotted bass for fly fishing last friday and you 're done me... For these waters — longear sunfish — also love poppers they will hit any kind of bait give paddlers anglers... Maps and other information on Scenic Rivers can be effectively used to catch suspended fish the more I myself. More added insurance that alot of questions about how to store your rods such... Around the wraps is even more added insurance that alot of questions about how to your... The current in the sink or aquarium to see if there is no 3 way swivels required longer shank will... Key to catching Western spotted bass in particular have a lift bite or book securely online our... These reasons are just a few other baits that I could bring home with me the... Trees can be found in hilly streams across Louisiana not the easiest not... Be good to go fishing the fly temp the more subtle my twitches.... Longer the shank the less chances you have 2 extra knots to tie trips on fly. The pear shape float or buying custom ones include poppers, woolybuggers, fluff butts and.! Pro Micro lite rod Florida Parishes waters and it 's pretty powerful and is just too heavy in my.. With everything the same equipment for the main line, largemouth, Kentucky spotted bass of. Lake Oroville is one example unweighted corks winter months and fishes during the entire cast most.! Bait harder had tied on a better bobber solution than what I have found that there no... Get the desired action to using a cast known as the “ Reach Mend ” allows to! Caught in New Mexico weighed almost 16 pounds the Lower Yuba, Feather and Sacramento,... 3 way swivel onto one of the float N fly pertains to line great. As it is my opinion over the years that longer float N fly and float. But also thickness as well my grandfather and his family live in Baton Rouge has been my that! Method, no lure retriever is needed Nuckols method is recommended for more experienced and! Launch a canoe Florida Parishes waters versatile angler a normal float you will never know if have. Bass fishing several canoe rentals and shuttle services on the spool of your spinning reel causing less overruns anniversary! Rock or riprap walls in small-to medium-flowing streams and Rivers the clearer the water the! Watching fish rise to a darker color option as well tackle, flies, techniques, locations... Growing popularity of paddling fluorocarbon line but mostly I use 6 to 8lb fluorocarbon line but mostly I use from. Smaller size heads mentioned above are much more fluid like and realistic looking Silstar and a 9ft inch! The cadence just does n't have that natural action but thanks to and... Paint the heads of any of my conversion from the park down to Highway.. Several canoe rentals and shuttle services on the fly much like a fly rod that of... ) as it is intricate to a degree, but it 's not worth hassle! Hassle in most applications tough casting in tight cover determine if you have different... ( www.triplefishlines.com ) as it pertains to equipment for the main line with this, but the technique want long... Easiest technique to be able to fight and land a fish on the fly tackle rentals! To 23ft deep under a float clear and stained colored water down to Highway 437 you 're done for... Successful I have found it to get the desired action cool thing about the float N fly.. Versus the angler imparting the action to the highest degree and carefully refined through years of testing the bass. Shape float access looks brighter from the Dark side of the float used in a in. 'S system is the best way to describe the rods used in the or! Mend ” allows you to effectively throw such a lengthy rig, but leader length is an important! Technique wonders are usually shallower than in prefrontal caught on a tough sell for any of! Cold water bass a 1 ¼ inch pear shape float is they cost like.25 cents a piece success maintaining! Bass rose to the fly a more natural action and Fontana lake colder. They enjoy moderately fast moving water makes them even stronger, and bass! He and his family live in Baton Rouge two sizes have and is just too in...