Fly fishing for bass

I’m looking to start fly fishing for bass this year and want some advice on rod reel setups. I’ve been doing some digging and it looks like 6 to 8 weight rods with floating line works well for bass and pike too. I’m a St. Croix rod fan and found they have a Mojo Bass, 7’11” 7 weight rod, does anyone have any experience with this? Or other rod and reel recommendations?

Howdy,

In order of importance, get the best line you can, a decent rod, and all then a reel.

6 weights work, but as soon as it gets windy or you try throwing a bigger bug you will see the limitations. I do the majority of my Bass fishing with an 8 weight. It’s actually easier and less work to use the heavier rod. I would recommend a line with an aggressive forward taper, something like an SA “Titan Taper”. The short heavy weight forward will help turn over bigger flies and punch them into the spots you want to hit. Both Scientific Anglers and Rio make lines specifically designed for Bass and Pike.

I’ve never spent more than $100 for a fly rod and I doubt I ever will. I’ve used everything from old slow fiberglass to new fast action graphite rods. In spite of the marketing hype, it’s actually easier to cast the slower action rod. I’d look for a graphite rod that uses older technology, like IM6.

I’ve never had a Bass “on the reel”. Basically all the reel does is store the line for you. This is one place where you can save some money.

You’re in for a lot of fun! I’ve been fly fishing for Bass for many years now, and I can’t wait for spring and get back at it.

SR

Steve Root is the local expert for bass on the fly.

I have a couple croix fly rods and they are ok. Nothing spectacular, for laying out tapered floating lines. However, because they tend to have a softer backbone, they load up great for shooting heads. I fish a few lakes with steep rock banks and common to sweep 12 to 20’ down with big streamers.
Most of my small trout and bass reels are primarily pflueger. Again, nothing spectacular but have held up very well and have ok drags. Not the gear I use for fall chinooks

Like Steve said buy a quality line. If you want to save money do it on the reel and rod. 8 or 9wt would be my choice for one rod. I like to fish big bass bugs and use a 9wt most of the time. Plus it works good for pike flies.

My dad was quite a fly rod master for bass back in a time when few people were. Today’s (as well as this forum’s) expert is Steve Root and I would ask him questions and tap his expertise all you can

Enjoy!

Thank you Steve and everyone who has replied. Would you have a suggestion on the length of the rod? What I’m seeing is 8′ to 9′. Also weight?

I think I’ll primarily be throwing top water bugs and some sub surface minnows and leeches for large and small mouth bass but I’d love to try some pike fishing too.

Also when fishing pike what leader material would be suggested? The lakes I fish are full of 20-35″ pike that are a ball to catch on casting gear, I can only imagine how fun they would be on fly gear.

This is my go to for wire for pike/musky. You could go with the 17lb or 25lb for pike.
https://www.afwfishing.com/afw_products/Surflon_Micro_Supreme_Leader_Wire_Nylon_Coated_7x7.asp

scottaheller wrote:

Also when fishing pike what leader material would be suggested? The lakes I fish are full of 20-35″ pike that are a ball to catch on casting gear, I can only imagine how fun they would be on fly gear.

My set up for big bass bugs and pike/musky is a loomis IM-6 9wt/9’ forward taper. For leader, I have played with mostly a section of 25# fluorocarbon. It’s held up well for toothy critters. Seems like heavier get chewed through easier. Obviously don’t need anything that stiff or heavy for bass. However I get musky and pike inhaling a 5-6” zonker or Dahlberg diver

Btw- if you tie your own, I’ve been using a double loop of 27# lead core as a baseline for tying tandem hook streamers.

I wouldn’t go less than 9′ on the rod. You shouldn’t have any limitations that would put you into an 8′ or 8’6″ (like short casting or overhead tree cover). There should be several options in the 9′ & 9’6″ range. I have fished with 7-wt rods and a 16″ SMB easily accounts for itself. For bass I wouldn’t go less than an 8-wt. As the flies get bigger/bulkier or you get windy conditions a heavier wt line becomes beneficial (or a lighter wt line becomes frustrating). In my experience with the 7-wts the line doesn’t have the weight to throw the bigger more wind resistant flies. In the wind it can be challenging throwing the mid sized hair bugs.

If you didn’t mind two setups you could start with an 8-wt and decide if you want to add a 9-wt. An 8-wt should cover a lot but may not cover everything you describe as you get into it.

Nine foot long rods are probably the most common length and for good reason. Like most things in fishing, rod length involves trade-offs. In general, a longer rod makes it easier to pick line up off the water and cast. A shorter rod is more accurate. Nine feet is a good length right in the middle. The 9 ft. 8 weight has become a very standard sized rod for everything from Smallmouth Bass to Bonefish. Lots of choices out there.

SR

scottaheller wrote:

I’m a St. Croix rod fan and found they have a Mojo Bass, 7’11” 7 weight rod, does anyone have any experience with this? Or other rod and reel recommendations?

The Mojo fly rod is a specialist rod designed to get under the 8-foot rod length rule for tournament fishing. This is too short of a rod for most fly fishing and it will limit distance and accuracy.

I use a St. Croix Legend Ultra 9 foot 8 weight for bass and I think the 8 weight is a very versatile choice. Not heavy enough to be an arm breaker, but enough butt to get the big bugs out there even in a moderate wind.

I use a bass-specific weight forward line so the WF taper is way out front maximizing the “head” weight and minimizing the drag of the “following” line.

With bass fishing, you are chucking giant balls of fur and with fly fishing, it’s the weight of the line and the action of the rod that’s doing the casting, not the weight of the lure itself.

Good value choices out there for rods are:

Temple Fork Outfitters – I have a range of these rods in 4-5 piece that I use for travel. Excellent performance for the $.

Redington – Somewhat under-rated IMO due to their offering of entry-level rods, but they make some very good mid-level rods. I’ve used a Redginton Spey for years and it is an excellent caster for the price.

For boat fishing, I would suggest looking into a “stripping basket” to keep line off the casting deck. Fly line has the astonishing ability to get tangled on anything and everything in a boat and since you are shooting that line laying at your feet, tangles are a big nuisance. I’m so good at getting my fly line looped around stuff that I’ve actually managed to get my line tangled around things in other boats fishing nearby.

Panfish are also terrific fun on the fly rod.

Grouse