BigBendFishing.Net

I know first pink line... now FLY FISHING

Anyone here catch specks using a fly rod? I would like to know how it is done. I have a fly rod. I have some flys that I was told would work.

Now all I need is information about leaders/tippits and what to do when actually out there.

I don't think I have to sight cast to fish I can see. If I have to sight cast I will stick to my popping cork.

Can I just cast and then strip line to make the fly swim over the grass or what???

Thanks for any info. I want to catch a fish on my fly rod so I can justify buying it.

Talk to Steve Stinson. He fly fishes. I think it would be fun to catch trout on a fly rod.

Luke, I have been bashful to mention the fly rod in my boat since I hadn't seen anyone else here walkin the walk.

I'll keep an eye at the replies to see if we're REALLY weird or if it's just our perception... The few times I've slapped the water it's been with a popping bug (seems logical). All I got was some "you almost got it in sissy's head" feedback from my fishergirls.

I have caught speckled trout, redfish and bluefish on a fly rod.

You don,t need to sight cast, as you are fishing a "lure".
The difference being, your fly lure is made of feathers and not rubber/plastic/metal.
Cast into the obvious fish holding areas and retrieve.

Like any fly fishing, it pays to vary the retrieve through all the options, from dead slow, to fast. Also vary the depths you fish, let the fly sink right to the bottom sometimes.
Very deep and slow, can pick out the bigger fish.

Fish as long a fluorocarbon tippet as you can manage( 5-6lb bs), but not less than 5ft.
I used various "streamer" flies, like this;


But, experiment with various flies and feathered lures, thats part of the fun, also take "local" advice on good patterns.
Thats how I have done it, quite successfully, but everyone has their own ways.

I find nothing wrong with fly fishing, most people that down play it, don't know how to fly fish....I have been wanting to try it too...I used to fly fish for bream and bass, but never tried it in saltwater...

Here are some sites I found the last time I got the fever
http://www.customsaltwaterflies.com/
http://members.ij.net/danscustomflys/Sa ... actics.htm (Look towards the bottom)

Buddy of mine, Danny Riley, fly fishes exclusively, and mostly for trout and reds. Danny catches a lot of fish, and has a room in his house dedicated to nothing but tying flies. He has boxes of different materials. There is a local fly fishing club, I believe, where you can get lots of advice. Those fly boys are totally into that fishing method, and do nothing else.

Me, I am not interested, but each to their own. It all seems "veddy British" to me. Sorry Cran!

EJ

I've been flyfishing for bass and bream many years, I just can't seem to take the leap to saltwater fishing. Probably because I don't get to go that often and the wind is always blowing.

Ken, the wind blowing, puts a lot of people off fly fishing in saltwater.
If you can cast a basic CT and grub in the wind, you can cast a fly, with practice and the right line weight.
Its also not necessary to cast your fly great distances. A lot of fish are caught almost under the boat/bank.

Fly fishing is a very pleasant way to catch fish, but not the only way.
Imagine what a spanish mackerel, or a king would be like on a fly rod.
My friend from Jax, catches dorado and sailfish on a fly rod, now that is "hardcore".

EJ, I know what you mean. "veddy British" tends to conjure up images that are traditional and old fashioned.
Just add the word "sexy" and "veddy British" could describe me.

I'm chompin at the bit to fly fish out of my kayak but I haven't found the $ for gear yet.

Yes I fish with a flyrod! Leaders- tapered with a 6-12lb tippet, sometimes with heavier shock tippet for toothy critters. I recommend the pre-made ones for simplicity. Flies- clouser minnows, deceivers, spoon flies ( redfish love them), poppers, Hoppin John (local pattern). Fish the same ways and in the same locations that you spin fish. When fishing out of your kayak, either put a towel down or a small dish washing tub to catch the fly line. That way you do not snag anything with the line as it flies out the boat when you hook the large fish or when you are casting. Check in at "The Flyshop" for some of the fly patterns. Good luck and have fun. Now is one of the most exiting times for flyfishing! FYI- my fishing buddy now admits that I can catch as many fish on the flyrod as spinning rod. We almost always have our limits.

Atticus -

I have had some luck with a flyrod on the trout. The best fly so far has been a chartruese clouser. I fish it on a 12 lb. tippet equal in length to the rod I am using.

I have had some luck fishing from the deck of my bayboat, but to be honest, I prefer wading or fishing out of my canoe when tossing a fly. The line I have stripped in is more manageable and it is easier to get close to the fish. The trout don't seem to be too particular about the fly type or color if they are feeding and you can get it in front of them.

I have also caught Spanish, jacks, catfish, and ladyfish, but no reds so far. My goal for this summer is to catch a red or cobia on the flyrod.

Good Fishin'

SS- Thanks for the tips

I have a chartruese clouser so I will get the tippet figured out and go from there

I am going to wade for these trout also so that should work out good

I will let everyone know if I get one to bite

I do a little fly fishing for freshwater fish (bream/bass) and speckled trout. To keep from working myself too much, I first locate trout with DOA's, or topwaters, then when I find 'em ganged up I'll offer them a Bonito Buster, or a Clouser minnow (or a Deceiver) in a pink color. I fish anywhere from 5-8 weight line (weight forward) and use a tapered leader ending in about 6' of 6-8# dark Royal Bonnel.
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