Fly rods for Bass fishing
The fly rod, the symbol of the sport of fly fishing. A fly rod transfers energy and control from the fisherman through the line to the fly. In order for the proper energy and control to be maintained you must use the proper fly rod for your type of fishing.
Fly rods are rated according to the fly line they will cast and must be properly matched to the fly line and leader for optimal performance and casting.
The graphite fly rod will be our rod material of choice for bass fishing.
All fly rods are rated according to their line weight go from 1wt to 15 wt. In fly fishing we are casting the fly line. The byproduct is the fly at the end of our leader being laid out onto the water. The larger the number the heaver the line weight is. Fly lines are measured in grain weight.
A fly rods specifications are usually indicated on the fly rod. 9 foot 3 ½ oz 6wt. So the fly rod is 9 foot long, weighs 3 ½ oz and is rated to cast a 6wt line.
When looking at fly rods I categorize them like this: Weights 1, 13, 14 and 15 are specialized rods. 2, 3, 4 and 5 weights are light and medium trout rods. Weights 6 and 7 are medium bass and heavier trout rods. Weights 8 and 9 for medium and heavy rivers, large trout, bass and steelhead etc. Weights 9 and 10 for heavy lakes, rivers, canals, muskie, pike etc. Weights 9, 10, 11 and 12, tidal rivers, bays and surf, stripped bass, bluefish, channel bass, drum, shad, weakfish etc.
Fly rods also come in 3 basic actions, slow, medium and fast. A slow rod has a progressive energy transfer and flexes from its tip to its butt. It has slower casting action and is very forgiving in its casting accuracy. It is a good rod for a beginning fly fisher. Although it doesn’t have the power to set hooks in a heavy fish. A medium action rod flexes from its tip to about its half way point. Its casting action is faster and its power is heaver allowing it to set hooks in larger fish for a given rod weight. A fast action rod flexes from its tip to about the first third of its length. It has a faster casting action and allows a harder hook set.
6wt and 7wt medium action fly rods are the most popular fly rods on the market today. Their fishing range gives you the most flexibly in water choices and species to fish. And will cast comfortably form 20 to 40 feet. Regardless of what you hear the typical cast is about 25 feet.
For Bass fishing on a medium lake I like to use a 6wt medium action 8 foot rod. With this setup I can fish flies form size 2 to 16 on 0x to 4x leader. The medium action means I can get a heavy #2 floating mouse fly out to about 25 feet. Flies in the size range 2 – 6 are my choice for Largemouth Bass. Whether floating or sinking. Lots of feathers and lots of hair.
Set this rod up with a 6wt, weight forward floating fly line on a 6wt single action reel with 50 to 100 yards of Dacron backing.
Use a 7 to 9 foot knotless tapered leader 0x or 1x set up with 12 to 16 inches a 0x or a 1x tippet tied to the end.
These are the basics and with this setup you can cast flies in the range of size 2 – 10. Once you hook that first Bass on a fly rod you will be hooked also.
About the Author
Lifetime Bass fisherman with a fly rod. For more information about Bass fishing with a fly rod visit:http://www.why-bass.blogspot.com
How to Series 1 – Using wind-on leaders
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Rio Fly Fishing Saltwater Knotless Leader 10ft 12lb $4.95 |
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Rio Fly Fishing Knotless Saltwater Leader 10ft 16lb $4.95 |
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RIO TROUT TAPERED LEADER 9FT 5X KNOTLESS NEW for 2012! $4.50 |
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RIO TROUT TAPERED LEADER 9 FT 7X KNOTLESS 3 PACK NEW!!! $11.95 |
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Rio Knotless Surf Leader 5′ – Set of 6 – choose weight! $15.99 |
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M & M X-Stream Knotless Tapered Leader 7-1/2′, 5X, 3pcs $11.97 |
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M & M X-Stream Knotless Tapered Leader 7-1/2′, 4X, 3pcs $11.97 |
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M & M X-Stream Knotless Tapered Leader 7-1/2′, 3X, 3pcs $11.97 |
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Flyfishing Leader 9 ‘ Crystal River Knotless Leader Assortment 3X, 4X, 5X $9.49 |
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Flyfishing Leader 7- 1/2 ‘ Crystal River Knotless Leader Assortment 3X, 4X, 5X $9.49 |
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Stone Creek Knotless Tapered Leader 7.5ft 3X / Cheaper then Frog Hair $4.00 |
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Stone Creek Knotless Tapered Leader 7.5ft 5X / Cheaper then Frog Hair $4.00 |
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Stone Creek Knotless Tapered Leader 7.5ft 6X / Cheaper then Frog Hair $4.00 |
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Stone Creek Knotless Tapered Leader 9ft 1X / Cheaper then Frog Hair $4.00 |
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Stone Creek Knotless Tapered Leader 9ft 2X / Cheaper then Frog Hair $4.00 |
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M&M 7-1/2′ 4LB KNOTLESS LEADER M&M SPECIALTIES, 4 POUND, 7 1/2 INCH, KNOTLESS LEADERS…. |
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M&M 9′ 3LB KNOTLESS LEADER GRN M&M SPECIALTIES, 3 POUND, 9 INCH, KNOTLESS LEADERS…. |
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M&M 9′ 4LB KNOTLESS LEADER GRN M&M SPECIALTIES, 4 POUND, 9 INCH, KNOTLESS LEADERS…. |
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Rio 9 Foot 6x Tapered Trout Leader $3.95 Trout Knotless Tapered Leaders Each RIOTM Powerflex® knotless tapered leader is designed for superb abrasion resistance as well as high knot and tensile strength. The long butt design provides smooth turnover while the supple tippet gives the fly lifelike presentation. The graduated tapers have corresponding stepped butt diameters. Tapers are made with thick butts to turn over heavy flies and th… |
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Rio Bonefish Knotless Leader 10ft 0.012in 10lb $4.75 The RIO Bonefish Fluorocarbon Leader, use this leader when you want to sneak up on fish. These 9 ft (2.7 m) knotless tapered leaders are made from 100% fluorocarbon and have high abrasion resistance. They are perfect for spooky fish and calm, clear flats.Specs:Model Number: 6-24262UPC: 730884242622… |
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Rio Bonefish Knotless Leader 12ft 0.012in 10lb $4.75 The RIO Bonefish Fluorocarbon Leader, use this leader when you want to sneak up on fish. These 9 ft (2.7 m) knotless tapered leaders are made from 100% fluorocarbon and have high abrasion resistance. They are perfect for spooky fish and calm, clear flats.Specs:Model Number: 6-24277UPC: 730884242776… |
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Super Strong Knotless Leaders / Only Knotless Leaders: Single Pack, Length: 9 Ft., Tippet: 3X (8.5# Test) The Super Strong nylon fly fishing leaders excel in the widest range of fly fishing conditions because the material balances three crucial elements better than any other fly fishing leader material: elasticity, knot strength, and suppleness. In olive…. |
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Super Strong Knotless Leaders / Only Knotless Leaders: Single Pack, Length: 9 Ft., Tippet: 1X (13.5# Test) The Super Strong nylon fly fishing leaders excel in the widest range of fly fishing conditions because the material balances three crucial elements better than any other fly fishing leader material: elasticity, knot strength, and suppleness. In olive…. |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Trout Leader 7.5 ft Scientific Anglers(TM) Premium Freshwater Leader – 7 1/2′ Trout With LoopLeader Characteristics:* Specially designed with a longer, larger butt for easy turnover and delivery of trout and panfish flies* Unique, new composition lays straighter on the water* Very low memory, less coiling, easy to straightenApplications:* 7.5 ‘ – ideal for most situations, windSizeTippet DiameterButt DiameterMax Brea… |
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Scientific Anglers Fly Fishing Fluorocarbon Leader 9 ft Fluorocarbon IIFreshwater/Saltwater Tapered LeaderLength: 9 ‘/2.74 mApplications:* For the most demanding situations when knot strength, durability and abrasion-resistance are essential* Lowest visibility availableMaximum Break Strength: 3.1 lb – 20.9 lbLeader Characteristics:* Optimal abrasion resistance in rocks, brush and other abrasive environments* Refractive index simulates that of water, re… |
