Bass are voracious eaters and have been known to eat prey up to half their own length. Because seabass swallow their prey whole, the size of the seabass flies must be less than the width of the seabass mouth. Being hungry predators, they usually look for the largest prey they can find that will fit in their mouths.
The movement of the fishing fly is essential to attract the bass. Wolves quickly seize the opportunity to swallow anything that moves, but they also regularly spit out a potential meal, perhaps due to taste or texture. When fishing for bass, it is important to use fishing flies with a strategic design and hook position. In this article, you’ll read about our top picks for bass fishing flies:
Deer hair popper:
Deer hair hunters are often referred to as the original fishing flies. Before fishing fly tying was commercialized in the United States, Native Americans grouped feathers and hair to create fishing flies to attract sea bass. These fishing flies are meant to float and wriggle on the surface and get the attention of the bass that remains a few feet below. Thinking that it is a helpless land bug trapped in the water, the sea bass normally cannot resist such an easy meal.
Deer hair mouse:
Very large seabass have been known to swallow baby ducklings and other waterfowl to satisfy their voracious appetites. While not all seabass reach a size where they can eat such a large snack, most large seabass can and will find a tasty treat in a mouse. Deer Hair Mouse Fishing Flies are a tackle box staple for any bass angler. Mice often settle near the river bank and it only takes one slip or strong win to render them helpless in the water. The body of this fishing fly is of course made of deer hair tied around a large hook with a long, flexible tail to attract the bass as it moves through the water.
Swimming frog:
A frog is a delicious meal and a temptation that a hungry bass can rarely resist. Flies that fish for swimming frogs are designed to mimic the movements of the frog as it swims along the surface of the water. The swimming frog is also made from deer hair and is colored in various shades of green. These fishing flies work well in areas where frogs naturally reside, such as around water lilies and other aquatic plants.
Matuka Sculpin:
The olive colored matuka sculpin is a great fishing fly to use in streams with algae or weedy bottoms. These fishing flies typically come in a gold option for lighter colored river beds and are made from deer hair and turkey feather. The sculpin is a small fish that lives camouflaged against the bottom of the river. These fishing flies must sink quickly and be heavy enough to stay down and not float to the bottom.
The best bass fishing occurs when the water temperature is between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature warmer or colder and the feeding tends to decrease considerably. With the right weather, the right fishing flies, and a little bit of luck, a bass fishing trip can be one of the most satisfying fishing trips of the year.