Fly Fishing Line Weight For Bass

Also works well for monster trout fishing.

Fly fishing line weight for bass.

Drive flies into tight heavy cover under branches and back in holes where large bass lurk. Knowing the species will help you determine the fishing line weight. The fly line weights from 8 upward are designed for very powerful very large fish saltwater and salmon species in particular. Smallmouth in rivers or streams can be caught with smaller flies so a 9 foot 6 weight or 7 weight might be a better choice.

8 and 9 weight fly fishing line is used for bluefish bonefish salmon of all species and stripers. If you are going to chase both species choose a rod that will cast the biggest fly you plan on using. Hopeless overkill for average trout and panfish. Use this line weight for all bass fishing if you want no worries.

Fishing for bass requires the ability to get big flies in tight places. 6 and 7 weight line is good for bass bonefish pike stripers and trout. Grigsby however prefers to go even heavier and uses a redfish leader with a heavier butt section 30 40 pound and 20 pound tippet. For instance to target big largemouth bass a reel of around 10 12 pound test line would be needed so that it doesn t succumb under the pressure of the bass and break.

I prefer a 4 weight rod medium light only when targeting smaller bass not likely to exceed the 1 to 2 pound range and when imitating insects using lures with very small hooks sized 12 to 14 which are noticeably smaller than the hooks typically used by bass anglers casting with conventional tackle. A sturdy 25 pound butt section with a 10 12 pound tippet will do the job for medium and small poppers and hold up against most bass. The size and weight of these streamers will be the determining factor for the best weight fly rod for fishing for largemouth on lakes. 4 to 5 weight fly line is best for freshwater bass and trout.

Cast into the wind with less effort. Fly line weight 7. Fly line weight 8. Works great with heavy nymph rigs at short to medium distances.

The bigger the fish you desire to strike the higher the weight of the fishing line will have to be. Small relatively light streamers can be cast perfectly well with a 7 weight or even a 6 weight rod. Instead weight 7 fly lines are best used for larger more powerful fish such as bass smaller salmon and steelhead. This bass fly line has a compact head and short front taper to turn over the big deer hair poppers and sliders with ease.

For largemouth bass a 9 foot 8 weight or 9 weight rod is a good start.