First Time "fly" Rig For Bass? 2025

gripnrip reply :

Well for some odd reason Bass Pro sends me their White River catalog! It has me drooling. I have always thought of giving this a try. Anyways. Can any of you professional fly fisherman point me in the direction of a decent rig to start with. Lets say $250 and under for rod and reel. Thanks in advance.

Darin

flyfisher reply :

Hmmm there are a lot of good rods out there. What I recommend is finding your local fly shop and talk to them. They will know what weight works best in your area. They will also be able to give you a heads up on flies too.

As far as budget goes, spend 70% rod,20% line and 10% reel. The reel will pretty much be used to hold line.

J Francho reply :

I like a heavier rod for bass, an 8 wt is suited to dropping topwater mice and frogs in the pads. It's really the only way to present a bait in a spot, take it away, and drop right back there. It's one place where a fly rod beats conventional gear.

Look up Wild Water Flyrods. They have good gear, great prices, and a great warranty. I've been friends with the owner since the third grade.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I just have a cheapo Cabela's fly combo (7 wt) and it has served me well for the little flyfishing I do for bass. It's a blast and every time I do it I swear I'll start doing it more but I never do.

0119 reply :

I started with an 8 weight taking advise. I found slinging 8 wt. line as fatiguing as using a big round reel and chunking a swimbait. I switched to a 6 weight and am very happy. Much quieter lifting lighter line off the surface than ripping a bigger line and hairy bug across the surface. I've caught some big snook on the 6wt. and never felt under gunned. The best money spent getting a rig together is what you pay a certified instructor. 3 hours with him puts you on the fast track to success and less shoulder pain.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Just as in casting and spinning it depends on what you want to throw, where you'll throw it and what you expect to catch. Fly fishing is fly casting. Take a lesson as suggested and develop good casting form. The results will be worth it. Go cheap on the reel, all they do is store the line. Do not scrimp on fly line. The line is what you're casting as opposed to the bait. Do some research on the different types of fly line and tippet (leader material). A line marked WFF (Weight Forward Floating) is a good all around line. Add a tapered leader and finish with a tippet section. There are some good articles to help get you started here: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/

flyfisher reply :

Also having a well balanced set up is way more important in fly fishing than it is conventional in my opinion. A few ounces more for a reel may not sound like much but depending on how that weight counterbalances your rod it could make all the difference in the world, especially in the heavier weights.

MichiganFishing1997 reply :

A Redington pursuit is a great rod for the money, and then I would put something like a BPS Hobbs Creek reel on it, if thats the correct name, and then some WF float line by a company like scientific angler or Rio. That should point you in a good direction. Its a solid starter set up, and it leaves you a little bit of money for leaders, flies, and boxes.

Christian

gripnrip reply :

Thanks for the replies fellas. The only shop I know of is the one inside BPS a short distance away from me. Maybe there is a local shop that I don't know that is in business.

Good advice on the reel. It makes since but I never would have thought you don't use the reel much.

On 4/23/2014 at 9:22 PM, Delaware Valley Tackle said:
Just as in casting and spinning it depends on what you want to throw, where you'll throw it and what you expect to catch. Fly fishing is fly casting. Take a lesson as suggested and develop good casting form. The results will be worth it. Go cheap on the reel, all they do is store the line. Do not scrimp on fly line. The line is what you're casting as opposed to the bait. Do some research on the different types of fly line and tippet (leader material). A line marked WFF (Weight Forward Floating) is a good all around line. Add a tapered leader and finish with a tippet section. There are some good articles to help get you started here: http://www.flyanglersonline.com/

Thanks for the link. I'll do some reading. I will also look into some lessons.

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

Not in place of lessons, but in preparation, there are some good videos on You Tube. One series in particular but the name escapes right this second. Some big fly shop owner.

bigbill reply :

Take a look at "fish and save" for fly equipment and flies.

On eBay there is an awesome fly tier in Vermont who ties the best looking bumble bees I have ever seen. He offers other flies too. I've never seen a bumble bee like his there awesome.

Also look at the "fly shack" too.

If down the road for a piece of fly history you need to pick up a bamboo six sided fly rod.

dtruesdell24 reply :

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-RLS-Fly-Combo/1555116.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Drls%2Bcombo%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=rls+combo&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

This is a great combo. You'll want an 8wt. Its a great rod and its on sale from $320 to $160. With the extra money you can buy yourself some flies, and a few fly boxes. This combo also comes with a rod tube.

J Francho reply :

Here you go. Eric (the owner) and I have gone kayak fishing for northerns with this very setup.

http://www.wildwaterflyfishing.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=AX78-090-4+PKG

bigbill reply :

Towards the end of summer the bigger online places and stores have discounts on fly equipment.

I think fish and save has the stuff half price in some brands.

gripnrip reply :

Thanks JFrancho! That sounds like a deal. I'll probably pick that one up soon!

J Francho reply :

Anytime. They are great people. If you pick up any flies, chances are Eric's wife tied them.

wisconsin heat reply :

Great prices on flies here http://www.bigyflyco.com/

bigbill reply :

Tip,

I was watching a Bill Dance show where he was fly fishing for bass. From a side view camera I could see short strikes happening behind his flys. This tells me to make sure I wear my polarized glasses and focus behind my flys as I also do behind my lures. I don't think they spotted the short strikes on the show. Watch for the bass fly fishing Bill Dance show on reruns.

Watch closely behind the flys.

This has taught me to watch the water too.

FrankW reply :

Hi gripnrip,

Before you spend your money on a combination you should educate you self about fly fishing and equipment. Combinations are almost always come with a fair rod and maybe an Ok reel but everything else is low cost mistakes. You are much better off to search out a good rod, reel and line. If you have ever seen a fly fisher who knows his stuff he will always play a big fish from the reel. The reel just holds line is a mistake. Get a Mid or Large arbor reel. Don't get a very slow action rod. Some fly fishers like them but a mid flex or tip flex rod is a better rod for most. The tip flex rod will make setting the hook on a big Bass easier. This site http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/index.php can really help a new fly fisher.

Frank

flyfisher reply :

I agree with the faster action rods being easier for a newbie to learn on because most, including myself after over 10 years of fly fishing, tends to move to quickly and the faster action rods are more forgiving in that aspect. With bass you usually aren't protecting lighter tippets either but with trout i prefer a more medium action myself for most cases.

As far as playing a fish from the reel i guess it depends on how big of a fish. I have landed 20" largemouth and 25"+ rainbows and browns and never touched the reel unless i already had the line pretty much at the spool or i was using lighter tippet and had to chase a big fish around. I have seen many people try and hold the fish while reeling in the rest of the slack lose more fish than i can count so I prefer to use the strip the fish in method for the most part. There is so much shock absorption in a fly fishing set up that it makes it easier than in a conventional set up. I have used the reel on a few of the larger carp i have caught.

The one problem with a beginner set up is to get a reel with a decent drag bumps you up in price point.

I will completely agree that most pre made combos are pretty much worthless unless it is one that is put together by the shop. I know Sage use to put together combos and they were pretty good, including the lines, which i am pretty sure they were Rio since they are both the same company (I think anyways).

FrankW reply :

If you fish rivers and catch a big Trout or Steelhead you need to get the fish on the reel as soon as possible. Other wise you will be walking on the line or catching it on a stick or rock. The same for saltwater from a boat. If you strip line onto the deck while fighting a big fish you will probably snag the line on something or wrap it around your feet.

It is true that small fish can be landed by stripping in the line and not using the reel. However a new fly fisher should be learning techniques that are useful for big fish. A fly fisher should know how to get a fish on a reel and how to play it in preparation for the first big fish.

Frank

gripnrip reply :

On 5/1/2014 at 5:35 AM, FrankW said:

Hi gripnrip,

Before you spend your money on a combination you should educate you self about fly fishing and equipment. Combinations are almost always come with a fair rod and maybe an Ok reel but everything else is low cost mistakes. You are much better off to search out a good rod, reel and line. If you have ever seen a fly fisher who knows his stuff he will always play a big fish from the reel. The reel just holds line is a mistake. Get a Mid or Large arbor reel. Don't get a very slow action rod. Some fly fishers like them but a mid flex or tip flex rod is a better rod for most. The tip flex rod will make setting the hook on a big Bass easier. This site http://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/index.php can really help a new fly fisher.

Frank

Thanks for the advice Frank. When I take on something new, I absorb all the info that I can. I have been reading everything I can come across.

I'm treating this as a new adventure. I know that I'll get frustrated with a lot of things. . . . . but that's where you guys will come in handy.

Baby steps.

I won't be fighting any huge fish. If I like fly fishing, I'll be purchasing setups just like I would for conventional bass fishing. Instead of rod a reel combos for techniques, they'll be chosen for certain species of fish. We have a few trout opportunities in Oklahoma. Most likely I'll have to travel out of state for anything other that brim or bass that has any size.

I just want to have fun and enjoy a different experience. I have been in the outdoors my whole life. The last 10 years or so I have finally seen the light. It isn't about what I harvest or catch, it is being on the water or in the field that I love. THE bigger picture.

FrankW reply :

Hi gripnrip,

If you visit the site I referenced you will find all kinds of information helpful to new fly fishers.

Being in NE Oklahoma you will find some good Trout fishing in Arkansas. Other good spots in Colorado and New Mexico. Arkansas would be the closest to you. Good luck in your new endeavor.

Frank

0119 reply :

On 5/1/2014 at 5:46 AM, flyfisher said:

I agree with the faster action rods being easier for a newbie to learn on because most, including myself after over 10 years of fly fishing, tends to move to quickly and the faster action rods are more forgiving in that aspect. With bass you usually aren't protecting lighter tippets either but with trout i prefer a more medium action myself for most case

Funny, in all the forums, books, dvds, and talking to instructors, the consensus is slower rods are more forgiving to the mistakes of a beginner. It also helps teach you the feel of the rod loading.

flyfisher reply :

Well in my years of being an instructor I always found the faster action rods easier for a newbie to learn on. I do agree that slower rods teach you to feel the rod load but most people starting out have problems with that so i always taught them to watch the rod load and that would help to begin the muscle memory needed to cast whichever rod they were using at the time.

bigbill reply :

Thanks for this post I just replaced my #5 fly rod I broke over a decade ago. I have 6 or 7 fly rod setups up to a heavy bass #9. It's time to get fly fishing as the weather heats up.

Jacob34 reply :

I'm in the minority here I've never been able to get comfortable with a fast action fly rod in all my years of fly fishing ( about 15 yrs or so.) I prefer slower action rods and absolutely love bamboo rods. They just fit my casting stroke better. As others have echoed I would recommend going to the store and try out various action rods and get what feels comfortable. I know my nearest Cabelas will let you try out their fly rods if you ask them.Also, just like bass fishing rods one company's rod actions will vary from one another.

redux reply :

My first rod was a Scientific Anglers 6wt combo and it was ok. Since then I've bought a few rods and have moved to Scott and will probably never use another brand. I have a Scott Radian 6wt with a Nautlius SFX reel and S4s 10wt with a Galvan reel. The 6wt is big enough to throw anything I've ever needed to catch and land bass. The 10wt is for saltwater and is collecting dust and I want to sell it.

That being said, look at this combo. http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=4Y07&dir_id=758&group_id=759&cat_id=14816&subcat_id=44223

If you are going to get into fly fishing for bass, the main thing I will tell you is to use a level leader. Don't waste time with tapered leaders. Bass bugs are big enough to straighten a level leader and the splat you get is waaaaayyyyyyyy lighter than anything you normally get from baits you throw with a baitcaster. Bass don't care. You can get away with 20-30# mono for topwater and the same with flouro. Fly lines are supposed to be rated to 30#. The only consideration for the # leader you use is whether it fits through the hook eye.

Also, flies these days are getting bigger and looking more like "our" baits than "their" flies. Basically there is a major trend towards tying weightless "lures" because guys are targeting either large, meat-eating trout (browns) and muskies. These fish do not eat dainty little flies. These fish eat other fish and small mammals.

http://vimeo.com/richstrolis

https://slideinn.com/store/index.php?cPath=23 - Kelly Gallup is credited with changing how fly fishers approach streamer fishing.

http://www.flyfishingtheozarks.com/fly-fishing-and-tying-videos/

redux reply :

Also, there are a ton of online fly fishing mags, but these guys are legit.

http://www.southerncultureonthefly.com/

Unfortunately their blogroll is now empty, but one blog I liked is http://diefische.org/.

This site is popular, but is trout oriented. The guy behind it is awesome. http://thefiberglassmanifesto.blogspot.com/

0119 reply :

Lots of down to earth bass fly fishing info at thebasspond.com. Good non elitist folks there with great advise.

BassNBarry reply :

Starting this spring, I plan to add about an HOUR of fly fishing to my morning bass outings. It's been 40 years since I caught a bass on a fly rod and the equipment has evolved. I would appreciate any advice on use of leaders and tippets. I will be using 8 wt floating line on a 9' rod. (1) How LONG a leader should I use? (2) mono (it floats better) or fluorocarbon? (3) What pound test leader (I anticipate catching a fair share of 3-5 pound bass since I catch a lot of those with my bait casters)? (4) Same for the tippet - LENGTH, mono or f.c. and pound test? Thanks to anyone who takes the time to share their knowledge.

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First Time "fly" Rig For Bass? 2025

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