Float N Fly

[blink]

I have been reading up on this technique but have never used it.
Seems like a great way to catch winter bass. Anyone use this technique?

[Alphahawk]

I use it a lot in spring...and when I get on Dale Hollow or Center Hill in the winter also use it with great success.....most only use this method in winter but it works well in spring also. I use a custom made 9 foot float rod with NanoFil line with a fluorocarbon leader. Length of leader is dependent on how deep I am fishing....but usually 10 to 15 feet. My jig of choice with this is a Trout Magnet. There are many other jigs that work also this is just what I use. It is not uncommon to have 40-50 Smallies a day with this setup. A lot of folks use a jig from Punisher made with feathers and then coat the feathers using a garlic stick and they squeeze those down until it is no bigger around than the size of a pencil lead. I don't like the garlic as it is messy and if it gets on something such as shirt or hat it stinks to high heaven. People have a lot of success using that method. The Smallies like that small offering. In the winter the worse the weather the more fish you are probably going to catch. You cast it out and let it sit there. Just let the wind and chop of the water do the work. The reason for using a super line is you have enough flex in a 9 foot rod you don't need the stretch mono would give you.....mono used in that setup makes it more difficult to get a good hook set. Not much to it really. I know there are a couple of people on here who use it. Here is a pic of my sons first Float'N Fly caught with a 9 foot crappie rod. We had over 80 Smallies that day some bigger and some smaller. It is a deadly way to catch them.



Regards

[Travis C.]

Like Alpha said there's not much to it. This presentation works on OH's bluffs as well as the others already listed. Most like the water to hit 50 and below before they start throwing the float and fly. I believe the technique originated from crappie fisherman and adapted over to bass.

[blink]

Yeah i read it started on DHL after crappie fisherman were complaining that they were catching too many smallies.


I wonder if it would work on the bluff walls of the cumberland too.
BPS has a float and fly rod for $55. may try it out.

It will be hard though to cast a 10-15 ft leader in a kayak though most likely.

[txnative]

It will be hard though to cast a 10-15 ft leader in a kayak though most likely.

I'll planning to test it out this Sunday on Dale Hollow :)


Chris Bryant

[jad2t]

I'll planning to test it out this Sunday on Dale Hollow :)


Chris Bryant

When the temperatures are such that sane people would consider fishing from a kayak I'd like to join you on a trip to DHL. I love kayak fishing and all but a high in the high 30's with 90% chance of rain doesn't sound like my kind of fishing day.

[jad2t]

Yeah i read it started on DHL after crappie fisherman were complaining that they were catching too many smallies.




Well that's just a horrible problem to have, isn't it?

[MNfisher]

When the temperatures are such that sane people would consider fishing from a kayak I'd like to join you on a trip to DHL. I love kayak fishing and all but a high in the high 30's with 90% chance of rain doesn't sound like my kind of fishing day.

When are you going to rid yourself of that Florida blood and grow a pair :D

[Travis C.]

It will be hard though to cast a 10-15 ft leader in a kayak though most likely.

Chuck and Duck!

[XxthejuicexX]

Man, I read this thread and then started watching videos on how to float and fly fish.... now I want to fish even more. I know I am going to end up fishing tomorrow or Sunday in the cold.

[jad2t]

When are you going to rid yourself of that Florida blood and grow a pair :D

Ha! I was just being sarcastic. I'll tough it out a few times this winter and go. This weekend I have work and other plans though. I'm more concerned with getting back into hunting this winter. I plan to shoot a lot of squirrels. Start with small game and work my way to deer.

[txnative]

...a high in the high 30's with 90% chance of rain doesn't sound like my kind of fishing day.

Those are as close to ideal conditions for winter smallie fishing on Dale as you can get ! I've actually caught some of my best fish when others were afraid to brave the elements...ask Jeremy, Travis, porman2006, Striperfan, mike, etc...they've either been there or seen pics I've sent as I was catching fish.


Chris Bryant

[Reel Tune]

I'm ready guys. I use a 1000 series spinning reel spooled with 4lb flouro, the rod is a 9' 5/6wt fly rod. I lay the line stretched out in behind me and just chuck as far as I can. Dress appropriately. We're supposed to go to Indiana this weekend, but we're plaing it by ear, if we don't go I would be up for a Dale Hollow, or Center Hill trip.

[txnative]

Jeremy,

DH Marina @ 7:30 am. Me & Terry are a definite...got a tentative "yes" from a mutual acquaintance, and I'm trying to get Mr Dye to join us, too.

FNF, tailspinners, jigs, n cranks...maybe livies.


Chris Bryant

[Alphahawk]

Those are as close to ideal conditions for winter smallie fishing on Dale as you can get ! I've actually caught some of my best fish when others were afraid to brave the elements...ask Jeremy, Travis, porman2006, Striperfan, mike, etc...they've either been there or seen pics I've sent as I was catching fish.


Chris Bryant

They are close to ideal..you are right ....but needs to be a just a little worse....LOL. I have been their in far worse than what it will be this weekend...but not in a kayak....you all are tougher than me. Hope you stay dry and reasonably warm.



Regards

[Jdkxtreme]

When setting up the Float N Fly could you use your float like we do Crappie fishing? Instead of clamping it to the line and have 9-12' hanging out, Could you use a slip float and a float stop? That way you are not casting with 9-12 ' hanging out?

[txnative]

A slip-float is not ideal since the line moves through the float. The fixed float helps with bite detection, especially when smallies hit the fly from above. A clip-on bobber that is weighted neutrally will "fall over", a slip float may not. Also, a slip float allows the fly to rise when you twitch your line, a fixed float keeps the fly at the same depth much better.


Chris Bryant

[Jdkxtreme]

A slip-float is not ideal since the line moves through the float. The fixed float helps with bite detection, especially when smallies hit the fly from above. A clip-on bobber that is weighted neutrally will "fall over", a slip float may not. Also, a slip float allows the fly to rise when you twitch your line, a fixed float keeps the fly at the same depth much better.


Chris Bryant

I knew there had to be a good reason..lol... Now I have a good excuse to get a new pole..Thank you

[blink]

Jeremy,

DH Marina @ 7:30 am. Me & Terry are a definite...got a tentative "yes" from a mutual acquaintance, and I'm trying to get Mr Dye to join us, too.

FNF, tailspinners, jigs, n cranks...maybe livies.


Chris Bryant

How did yall do?

[nomad60]

Hmmm I'd never heard of it....but it sure does sound interesting

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/float-n-fly.html

[txnative]

How did yall do?

Didn't get to go. My power went out at 6 am Sunday and stayed off till after 9 pm, so I had to deal with that. My bro in law went and his only action was two missed fish on tailspinners.


Chris Bryant

[Reel Tune]

Hmmm I'd never heard of it....but it sure does sound interesting

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/float-n-fly.html

I highly recommending taking a few minutes out of your day to read this article by Mike Bucca on the Float and Fly technique before trying it. It is a very easy technique, but has to be done correctly or else you will be wasting your time.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Thanks for sharing and posting the link Jeremy!, very interesting topic and article!!

[tacklemake]

I have use this for many years and it works the same way. The float is made of balsa wood and with a 1/32 oz jig the float will stay upright but when the fish puts the jig in its mouth it will lay over on its side.............woody

[Hammy]

Thanks Woody. I happen to buy some like that over the weekend.

Hammy

[TroutFiend]

Has anyone used this technique in creeks before? I was reading a blog from a river fisherman in Indiana and it is very successful for him in the winter kayaking and wading.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[bfish]

Has anyone used this technique in creeks before? I was reading a blog from a river fisherman in Indiana and it is very successful for him in the winter kayaking and wading.



If you are talking about Matt (psuer) he knows what he talks about it and tells you straight up what works for him and why (no salesman bs).

[agelesssone]

I rigged up six bobbers like in the video, made up a bunch of 1/16 oz flys, spooled up a reel with nanofil (that stuff casts a country mile, put it on one of my 10' Wally Marshall rods and got a spool of 8# fluorocarbon for leaders. Now I just need to get out there and use this stuff.