Catch Bass on a Fly Rod
Float n’ Fly is a gamchanger
by Eric Fields
Just north of Redding, California is California’s largest reservoir Shasta Lake, a behemoth sized body of water with a surface area of 30,000 acres and 365 miles of shoreline.
It’s one of California’s most productive bass fisheries with thriving populations of spots, smallmouth and largemouth. Shasta Lake is a major destination on the professional bass fishing tour and for good reason, this fishery is loaded with bass. Best yet, Lake Shasta is incredibly fly friendly, especially fishing a Float n’ Fly Rig.
Five years ago I heard of a few anglers in our area using the Float n’ Fly technique on our local lakes, reservoirs and ponds. My first thought was that it sounded super boring, casting out an indicator and letting it sit out there for hours waiting for the float to go down. I finally gave in and started researching the “how to”, and have found the technique is way more interactive than I thought and extremely effective on bass. This technique imitates a small baitfish or leech that looks helpless or injured, which makes this presentation an easy meal for a predatory bass.
Keys to the Rig:
- Expensive but worth it: This has to be the most expensive indicator out there. Its hand turned on a lathe, and painted by one person in a garage (Jason Cockrum) The bottom of the indicator has a screw eye, this allows for a hinge, once you tie a non-slip mono loop from your butt section to the flyline and a non- slip from leader to fly. This design is genius and makes all the difference in the world. Sometimes bass will do lift bites, which means that the bass vacuumed the fly in and the indicator will fall over. When the float falls over the bass takes the weight off the float and since the indicator is hinged it falls over, it’s not the bottom!
- Leader length: Length is always an experiment, start out shallow (4ft) and adjust the drop by 12 – 18 inches until you start getting bit!
- Fly color selection: ZACK Shasta Lake – (shad, bluegill and crawdads) Match the color of the food.
- It’s Jiggy: As the Float n’ Fly indicator bobs in the waves/chop the jig fly creates an irresistible meal for bass. If you find the bass, they will eat – period.
Strategies:
- Timing: Jig fly fishing is a great winter option when rivers and creeks are high and blown out. We target our local lakes in the late winter through the spring.
- How to find bass: Spotted bass are constantly on the move, trying to find the best locations for spawning, or find out the particular forage is most prevalent in your lake. If you can find bait, you will find the bass.
- Where to start: Start on main lake points and work back to the backs of coves. In theory, once you find a pattern you can apply it to the rest of the lake.
- Stick & Move: Don’t get lolled into staying in one spot too long. If you are not getting action, move to a new spot. This is fish-hunting.
- Fished from & boat or shore: This rig is equally effective fished from the shore or a boat. Long casts are not needed, a 25-35 foot cast is more than enough. A boat will allow you to cover more water as well as fish over submerged shoals and structures not accessible from shore.
- The honk down: What you see when a bass takes the fly. Normal take down vs lift bite. Depending on the water temperature it will determine how subtle or aggressive the indicator will show you feedback. The warmer the water temps the more aggressive the grab will be, and the cooler the more subtle.
- BIG numbers. With this rig, when you hit one fish, you are more than likely to catch multiple fish, probably dozens.
Rods, Reels and Fly Lines
A 9 foot 8 weight is recommended to turn over a 3” long float, with a 1/16oz fly, and wind!! This set up requires a rod to handle the Float n’ Fly set up. A 5 weight will not cut it.
High End Outfit:
- Rod Winston 908-4 Air Max
- Reel Galvan Torque T-8 (color of choice)
- Line Scientific Anglers Bass Bug 8wt
Budget Friendly Outfit:
- The Fly Shop package deal 908-4 Mad River – Includes rod, TFS L2A ⅞ reel, with the Scientific Anglers Anadro 8 wt line.
Terminal Tackle:
- Fly line Butt Section (12-16”) – Maxima
- Float-N-Fly Indicator – Float-N-Fly Indicator
- Swivels – Owner Swivels (#14)
- Leader Material – Seaguar Leader Material
Flies (1/16th oz):
Float-N-Fly Off the bank.. Save your fly line!!!
Fly line management, on a boat deck! Avoid a melt down!!!
Tie Your Own Jigs
- Wapsi Super Jig Heads – 1/16 oz or 1/32 oz (25 or 100 packs)
If you have any questions, give me a call (530) 222-3555 | (800) 669-3474 or shoot me an email at eric@theflyshop.com and I will be happy to fill you in on this highly effective bass-catching-rig.
