While most Bass anglers use baitcasters, spin casting rods, and conventional tackle, these fish are fantastic on the fly as well. It’s true that many fly anglers overlook Bass, but even conventional anglers can learn from the fly tactics used to catch Smallmouth, Largemouth, Peacock Bass, and more. And that includes which Bass fishing flies to use!
There’s a real overlap in terms of fly materials and the ways you can use them on jigs and other Bass lures. The natural motions of flies are excellent for imitating bait fish, mice, frogs, and a number of other Bass food sources.
Catching Bass on the fly is an absolute blast and every angler should consider it as an option. Smallmouths are one of my personal favorite species to target during the summer months as they’re aggressive and fight like crazy! I’ll let you in on why in the following sections…
Do Bass actually like flies?
We often associate fly fishing with dry flies and nymphs that quietly move with the currents or sit idle on top of the water. However, Bass don’t tend to gather in feeding lanes like Trout and they certainly don’t sip on tiny insects to fill their caloric need.
While imitating small insects isn’t a great approach when Bass fishing, there are plenty of flies that imitate larger and more active food sources. The types of flies made to imitate a struggling mouse or wounded bait fish are extensive. You can create a fly to imitate anything in the natural world.
In addition to the fur, feathers, and synthetic materials in most fly patterns, you can also add harder elements. Weighted dumbbell eyes or coneheads are excellent for gaining depth and creating an undulating motion. You can also add rattle, rubber legs, and other materials that enhance motion and sound.
Favorite Fly Patterns for Bass Fishing
There are hundreds – possibly thousands – of different fly patterns that are designed for Bass and other warmwater fish. The following list constitutes a fraction of those patterns but it will give you an idea of what fly categories to look for when you’re ready to target Bass.
Keep in mind, many of your favorite flies for Pike, Salmon, and saltwater fish crossover well for Bass fishing. Some Trout streamers also make the transition. You might already have a pile of flies that will catch Bass across North America and beyond, but here are my picks:
Hair, Foam, and Hard-body Poppers
Fishing topwaters for Bass is one of the most amazing grabs you can create. As with topwater lures, flies are also very effective. I can remember my first time catching a big Largemouth on a popper… It’s hard to beat that take on a fly!
Poppers actually make a popping sound as they’re retrieved. They have an ultra buoyant head made of spun deer hair, foam, or a hard body. Natural materials are added behind the buoyant section to add even more action. Typically, you’ll want to make a hard strip as the fly dives just under the surface before popping back on top. The strikes are often very aggressive.
Gurglers
These are a variation on surface poppers with some key differences. The gurgler has a natural tail and body, often made from marabou, dubbing, or other common options. The entire back of the fly is made of foam, however. Rather than diving, the fly stays on the surface where it creates more of a wake. If you add a piece of monofilament for a weed guard, these flies work really well in weed beds and grassy areas.
Buggers and Zonkers
Both of these patterns are staple streamers for Trout fishing. They imitate bait fish, crayfish, and sculpins, and work as general attractor-style patterns. Personally, a yellow and brown bugger with rubber legs is a favorite for targeting Trout and Bass. The action looks like a crayfish and the color combination is deadly in clear or murky waters.
Bait Fish Patterns
The number of bait fish patterns out there is overwhelming and there are some exceptionally creative and talented fly tyers producing them. Look for patterns that have some bulk around the head when shopping for Bass fishing flies. They push more water and create more movement and chaos when retrieved. As with any Bass lure, combinations of black, chartreuse, white, yellow, and orange are all great.
Clouser Minnow
This pattern was actually invented for Smallmouth Bass. It’s so effective that it has become a staple in freshwater and saltwater fly boxes across the globe! The fly is simple and easy to tie as well. It’s primarily made from two bunches of bucktail and a set of dumbbell eyes. You can add flash and body material if desired as well.
Deceiver Flies
The other classic fly pattern that Bass love to eat is a deceiver. Like the clouser, it’s a simple bait fish pattern that works everywhere and for everything. The tail is made from saddle hackles while the remainder of the body is from bucktail and flash. This fly is flat-out deadly and I’ve used it when fishing everything from Smallmouth Bass to Striped Bass.
Types of Bass on the Fly and Where to Find Them
Now that you have a baseline for flies that catch Bass, let’s talk about the different varieties you can fish for. The following are the primary Bass targets for fly anglers:
- Smallmouth Bass. These fish have a wide-ranging distribution in North America and fight very hard. I target them in the western US but they’re common in the Midwest, South, and even in Canada.
- Largemouth Bass. From the southern US to farm ponds in the west, Largemouth Bass is a national favorite. They love a popper presentation, in particular.
- Peacock Bass. From Florida to the Amazon, these beautiful fish are so much fun on the fly. They’re super aggressive and can blow up a topwater fly like no other species.
- Striped Bass. You can catch these fish in both freshwater and saltwater environments. These fish largely live on bait fish and the patterns used are largely reflective of this.
With so many species, most US states and Canadian provinces have opportunities to chase Bass. Mexico is also home to some of the best Largemouth Bass fishing in the world. Take a fly rod to Mexico and you have a real shot at setting a personal best!
For Striped Bass, hit places like Lake Powell in Arizona or the Atlantic coastline for some serious Striper action. When the bite is on, flies work really well for Stripers.
Peacock Bass are a unique category as they’re native to the Amazon basin. If you want a remote experience with large Peacock Bass, Colombia and Brazil are two major hotspots. Of course, you don’t have to travel so far either. Florida is loaded with Peacock Bass in its canal systems, while Puerto Rico also has strong populations.
Fly Fishing for Bass: It’s a Blast!
No matter where you fish and what variety of Bass you chase, the strikes are unforgettable. Bass will put a bend in your fly rod and they’re one of my favorite species to pursue. Not only that, but the range of landscapes where you can find and catch Bass is seriously impressive. Load up on a variety of surface poppers and sinking streamers, and go explore!
Do you chase Bass on the fly? What species are you targeting and what’s your go-to fly pattern? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Bass Fishing Flies: An Angler’s Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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