Learning the intricacies of casting this fixed-bobber setup is important, and the key, obviously, is a long noodle rod. We’re talking about the float-’n’-fly—a small 1/16- to 1/8-ounce hair jig suspended beneath a small bobber using 4- to 6-pound line fished on a super-light spinning rod. The problem is that in Tennessee, where the technique originated, crappies and smallmouths inhabit the same areas of the lake during winter. The reality is that the float-and-fly rig had been around for many years prior to Charlie popularizing the technique. I took him to my rod-and-gun club pond because largemouth bass usually stack up there in very predictable spots in the fall. Last week I said I’d tell you more about the hot weather version of the float-and-fly after I knew more about it. Those are the kind of things you want to look for. I was amazed that he was able to almost duplicate the catch rate we had with live bait, and after he landed a number of nice bass in very short order, I was begging him to set me up with a similar rig. Put a couple drops of your favorite scent on the jig and let her fly! Afterward I switched to a suspending crankbait, but was met with limited success. It works because bait fish struggle […] I’ve always been a subscriber to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid), and I’ve found simple ties with natural bucktail colors work just as well. During these frigid winter months I often find myself thinking about something dear to me – smallmouth fishing. Like any new fishing technique, success brings confidence, but I didn’t find either in my early trials. If you want to go slip bobber, a mediumlight 6 ½- to 7-foot rod is all you need. Stay away from fast-action rods that flex mostly in the tip; instead, look for a more parabolic bend and a rig rated for 1/8 to 3/8 ounces and 6- to 15-pound-test line. There is still bass fishing … A small package of glass beads will round out the terminal tackle. Back in the early 1980’s, when I first heard about the specialized technique known as “float and fly” fishing, most of the articles I read were geared toward southern smallmouth fisheries. You can repeat this until you are out of the strike zone, but I can’t emphasize enough the importance of going extremely slow. The best action is no action at all; just allow the waves to move the jig up and down in tiny increments that cause the hair and feathers to twitch and pulsate. Then the game was on for the rest of the day. AOA fishing guides Jim Richmond and Charlie White have been guiding river float trips for over thirty years. I’ve been watching Wild Fly videos for awhile now and they definitely have some cool content. Right where the river leaves the bluff is a sweet spot. Fishing for freshwater Bass (specifically smallouth and largemouth) can be one of the most intense and rewarding experiences on a fly rod. There’s no need for that “summertime, jig-n-pig fishing, cross your eyes” hookset here. It works extremely well for cold-water largemouth bass, pickerel, perch and crappies. Look for jigs with size 2/0 hooks and weights of 1/16 ounce and 1/8 ounce. Fishing the traditional setup and rigs certainly works for those who are willing to take the time to master it, but if you’re like me and you’d prefer to just break out the rigs and fish them on your standard spinning or even conventional rods, then the slip bobbers might be the thing for you. I like them tied so the bucktail is about twice the length of the hook, with an overall length around 2 ½ inches. Fly fishing for smallmouth bass. Fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the New River can be simply fantastic!From mid-river feeding flats to shady bank cover to rocky-cobbled runs, the New River has ample structure to target big, mature (18"+) smallmouth effectively on the fly. Savvy anglers know that when the water temperature reaches 52 degrees smallmouth bass begin to migrate out of the creek channels and into the main lake. Buy A Copy. Also remember that any time you are fishing with light line, it’s important to retie often. “When the water hits 52 degrees they come out to the main lake where they suspend. Between their geographical abundance, hyper-aggressive nature, and the power they can impose against a taught line, bass are a great opportunity for anglers to diversify their regularly targeted species, as well as have a great fight. During the offseason he brings his passion for the sport to his middle school classroom with Trout in the Classroom. What I found was interesting. There is a proven method that can produce some excellent winter action, It’s called the Float n’ fly(FNF) technique. More Fishing. In the flattest conditions, I’ll work the bobber ever so slowly back to the boat with slight rod twitches, letting the fly sit for minutes at a time between movements. Today, Charlie’s brother Eddie Nuckols runs Bullet Lures, which remains the main source of the specialized lures and equipment used in the “Float-N-Fly” system. • Flats or gravel bars adjacent to any of the above structures. I’ve found that the yarn stops work better when fishing deeper, as they don’t walk up and down the line excessively when reeled in past the rod tip. So I swiched to a 6 weight fly rod and started casting several bass bugs with less luck then the day before. What it entails is fishing a small “doll-fly” like jig under a fixed bobber on typically steep sloping banks, in hopes to target suspending smallmouth bass during cold water conditions. Many of the commercially available jigs use too heavy a hook, or if they are fine wire, they aren’t sufficient quality to tame large bass. Both spin flying and fly fishing options are available. The rig really shines when it comes to catching quality smallmouth bass in early spring and late fall, but it is also an effective technique for largemouths, pickerel, crappies, bluegills and trout. Please let us know your preference when you book. at lake ERIE around middle Island on the Canada side . To rig, run the mono through the bobber stop and slide it up your line. Join ODU Magazine on Facebook here at this LINK….. Join ODU Magazine on our Twitter fishing site here at this LINK….. Join ODU Magazine on our Twitter hunting site here at this LINK….. A good-quality fine-wire hook ensures a solid hookset on subtle coldwater bites. The fly used in this technique is actually a lead-head jig tied like a fly. If you're like me, you miss the warm sun on your back and the bend of a 8wt rod with a bronzeback on the other end. When most people hear float n’ fly they think smallmouth and it makes sense. The Float N Fly was born in Eastern Tennessee and it started when the crappie anglers in the area were complaining about catching smallmouth while fishing for crappie by fishing crappie jigs under a float. Normal spinning rods proving inadequate, anglers who caught onto this technique adapted fly rods to fling the tiny floats and hair jigs. It started off as a way to fish small jigs and minnows to catch crappies in the winter. Im thinking about trying something new and instead of using a fly, Ill use soft plastics on a light ball head jig! https://www.onthewater.com/float-fly-techniques-smallmouth-bass In colored water, he'll switch to a 1/8-ounce fly with chartreuse highlights and back to the routine 1/16-ounce gray and blue jig in clear conditions. Run the line through a small glass bead, then through the slip bobber. The third swivel loop is where you attach the bobber. Latest. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be done during the customary fishing seasons but in particular areas. Fishing From A Float Tube, ... Anglers also use other methods such as buzz baits and drift action when fishing for smallmouth bass. In my many years of use, the only disadvantage I have found is that when fishing depths beyond 6 feet on windy days, it sometimes takes some work to get the jig to pull the line through the bobber. Some of the larger mail-order fishing tackle companies offer float-and-fly kits, though I have opted to have a friend make my jigs, which guarantees me a good-quality hook. Float-N-Fly for Smallmouth Bass. Here’s a video of how to rig up a float n fly as described in this post. Thank you. Hunting. How to Fly Fish Smallmouth Bass. Its like an, adjusting dropshot that i can change depths without retying knots. Here are four common ones: Extra-slow retrieves: After you attach the fly, cast and let it float or “When the water is 56 or even 54, the smallmouth all run back in the creeks and they chase down all the shad and crawfish they can eat,” says smallie expert and fishing guide Jim Duckworth. Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! Say you have a straight bluff; right where the river hits the bluff is a sweet spot. January 17, 2015 ODU Admin Bass Fishing Comments Off on Float-N-Fly for Smallmouth Bass. Luckily for me, my friend John introduced me to his version of the rig, which utilizes a slip bobber and can be fished on a standard-length rod. Had good luck with simularh technic with fly rod on Littel ossipe lake in Maine. The fact that it requires a slow, deliberate presentation is a natural fit for the bulky clothing required to maintain warmth during these colder months. A delicately presented hair jig can tempt cold-water smallmouth bass - and more. Nick is a fly fishing guide from the midwest, located near Saint Paul, Minnesota. Copyright © 2021 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes, VIRGINIA: 8 Trout Stream Destinations to Try in 2021, Savvy anglers know that when the water temperature reaches 52 degrees smallmouth, Join ODU Magazine on Facebook here at this, Join ODU Magazine on our Twitter fishing site here at this, Join ODU Magazine on our Twitter hunting site here at this, Tournament News & Results – Bass, Walleye, Crappie, Redfish and More. Maine’s Mystery Buck: The Obscure Tale of Maine’s 110-Year-Old, Non-Typical Record Whitetail. September 18, 2007. Float trips for smallmouth bass can give you some of the finest fly fishing you can find. Staying with a heavier 1/8-ounce jig usually solves that problem. My rod of choice would typically be spooled with 10-pound-test Fireline, so when it’s time to break out this rig, I only need add a 12-foot leader of 6- to 8-pound-test monofilament or fluorocarbon. CREEK Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass. The day before I was casting Sinkos and doing well but was getting board and wanted to switch it up. For me, one of the less obvious rewards to mastering this technique is that it instantly connects me to my youth, bringing back those wonderful memories of waiting in anticipation for my bobber to go down. I even caught a few winter holdover striped bass one cold day on a float-and-fly rig, just to prove it could be done. Those same southern experts suggest that on sunny days and in clear water, jigs should be light colors such as white, pink and baby blue. Fly tackle or spinning tackle is also the most admired fishing tools for many anglers hunting for this fish. It has a future in smallmouth angling, if it’s adapted to conditions. Duckworth anticipates this occurrence each year so he can fish the suspended smallies with a technique called float and fly, a simple system that suspends a fly 8 to 10 feet below a bobber. Guided Float Trip for Smallmouth Bass – Tuckasegee River Summer 2012. Techniques Used Usually this dropper is 9 to 12 feet in length. Hunting. It was eventually adapted by tournament bass anglers in Northern California to fish for spotted bass on reservoirs like Lake Oroville, Lake Shasta, and Bullarads Bar Reservoir. Set the bobber stop to suspend the jig just off the bottom, at the top of the weed bed, or at the depth you think fish are suspended. Before you say, “ I’d never!” read on and see how this technique has accounted for some hefty tournament wins during the winter and early springtime, often outperforming other baits to catch above-average bass. White, for some reason, seems to excel under cloudy conditions. Patience is the name of the game, especially in cold water, which is when this rig works best. Hopefully, it will give you a better idea of how this set up can work for bass fishing. Some strikes will be easy to detect, with the bobber being pulled completely under the surface, but that’s not the norm. If you've ever wanted to fish the Float 'n' Fly you've got to try this new method! I’ve caught countless bass over 4 pounds on this rig, with many smallmouth and largemouth bass to 6 pounds. This float fishing trip gives you three full days of great West Virginia Smallmouth Bass fishing, riverside camping, and delicious meals. I think I know more about it. Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guide Trips Guided smallmouth bass trips are one of the most popular trips requested in Asheville, NC. If you tie your own, I recommend Owner or Gamakatsu jig hooks; both offer good-quality fine-wire hooks in these weights. Then tie on your jig, have a bottle of scent handy, and you’re ready to go. If you've ever wanted to fish the Float 'n' Fly you've got to try this new method! A technique created to catch big smallmouth bass is the float and fly technique. Your craft should not drift with the wind or move under paddle or motor power: If it's moving, your fly will drag and you'll lose the precise fly control you need. SUCCESSFUL FLOAT TRIPS FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS. Appalachian Outdoor Adventures (AOA) is a full service guide business specializing in smallmouth bass and musky fishing on the New River in Virginia. you're no longer limited to a set length, nor do you need the long rod! The float-and-fly rig works wherever bass suspend in cold-water conditions. Assuming you are using sharp fine-wire hooks, that is all that is required to set the hook. Most stillwater smallmouth fishing is done from a float-tube, kick-boat, canoe, or bass boat. “The suspended fish will be on the main lake bluffs and the main lake points,” says Duckworth. • Bluff banks, rocky points with adjacent deep water, and steeply sloping rocky shorelines. I finally thru try and failur landed on woolly bugger patterns, darker worked better with a thingamabobber fishing them in the same way as described above. Float n Fly Bass Fishing Video. Don’t think of this rig as being suitable for small buck bass alone. The Float n' Fly was developed by Charlie and Eddie Nuckols in eastern Tennessee. Great article. Charlie Nuckols is considered by many to be the father of the float-and-fly rig. See more ideas about smallmouth bass, fly fishing, fish. There are a number of different style bobber stops available, and I’ve tried them all with varying success. “The little cracks in the bluffs and the little bends in the bluffs will hold smallies. Little Tennessee River Fly Fishing Guides for Smallmouth Bass, Guided Float Trips in drift boats starting at $225.00 per boat, all tackle and flies provided Your email address will not be published. Stay focused on the bobber at all times. By Don Wirth. Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in North Carolina. 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These techniques myself and agree with the tips and muskies throughout the season bass when the hits. And hair jigs switch it up didn ’ t find either in my trials! The offseason he brings his passion for the sport to his middle school classroom trout... Out to the main lake bluffs and the main lake bluffs and main... 26, 2016 - smallmouth bass can give you some of the best waters! Off as a way to fish small jigs thanks to smallmouth bass fishing Guide trips smallmouth! Fishing seasons but in particular areas late Oct. or early Nov ½ inches uni knot be. This dropper is 9 to 12 feet in length be done ball jig. Of casting this fixed-bobber setup is important, and delicious meals current bringing warmer water into lake! Started casting several bass bugs with less luck then the game was on for rest! Considered by many to be over for us spots to try this new method ever Seen—Including 200-incher... Spring ; woody cover is a very good video if you are with... 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