Fly Fishing For Bass And Their Behavior

One of the interesting facets of fly fishing is that when you try for a new species, you may use the same basic tackle, but many factors are different. The various species live in dissimilar environments, and they frequently have characteristics and habits totally different from other kinds of fish. The way they hide, feed, strike, and even fight may be totally dissimilar. And that calls for a variety of tackle, fly patterns, and techniques. To be a well-rounded fly fisherman, you need to be able to adapt to the requirements for different species.

The methods used for trout are sometimes effective for both species of bass (largemouth and smallmouth). But there are major differences, too. Trout will feed mainly on insects, and except dry flies they take most of their food underwater. Bass, when they are less than 12 inches, also are very much like trout-feeding a great deal on insects and nymphs. But larger bass of both species can frequently be encourage to feed on top-and in many situations it is the best way to take the larger bass. Excepting dry fly fishing, perhaps the advent of surface fly fishing was started when anglers began to entice bass into taking deer hair and cork popping bugs. Bass also prefer much larger lures. And unlike trout both species of bass can easily be beguiled into hitting exciter-type patterens. These are patterns with often outlandish colors that resemble nothing any angler has ever seen in the water.

There are some fundamental differences when fishing for smallmouth or largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass, as a general rule, perfer smaller, sleeker patterens than do largemouths. Of course, this is a generalization, but it holds true in most situations. Smallmouths also seem to strike flies that are retrieved slightly faster than for largemouths which most of the time tend to go for a slower moving fly. Realistic imitations often score better with smallmouths than with bigmouth bass.

Cover requirements for the two species are different. Largemouths will live in water a higher summer temperature. They seem to be comfortable and will continue feeding when water temperatures are in the high eighties. But smallmouths seem most active when summer temperatures are more often in the seventies and rarely reach the high eighties. Smallmouths tend to feed better throughout the winter, although both species will feed until water temperatures reach about thirty-five degrees. Largemouths can tolerate a bottom that has more silt and mud, whereas smallmouths gravitate to areas where there is considerable rock rubble or at least a gravelly bottom. Largemouths prefer to lurk in shadowy ambush around old stumps, sunken logs, and similar cover. Smallmouths will most often be seen near rocks, which they use for current breaks, ambush, and a sanctuary. When you understand the feeding behavior of the smallmouth and largemouth bass it will give you the knowledge for techniques that works when fly fishing for bass.