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Anyone use a float and fly?

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Any tips on what size fly and so forth to use?  Location? Casting?  Etc.?  I've been looking for some info but not finding much.  Is this basically a small bass technique primarily?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

  • Super User

I've used the f-n-f with some success on Smith Mtn in the winter and early spring.The way I do it is to figure out what depth the fish are holding (which is important) and set my speed stop at that depth or just shallower on my fluorocarbon line.For best results,always have your bait either at the same depth or just above the depth that the fish are holding.In my opinion,speed stops work best plus you can cast with them (they spool onto your reel with the line)

I typically like to fish the f-n-f along rock bluffs,rip-rap banks or points where fish like to stack in cold weather.If you've got current you can float it thru an area,otherwise you're basically just fishing small areas,reeling in very small amounts at a time.If you are definitely on top of fish,the best thing I've found to work is to just barely shake your bait so it will sit in place and quiver.

I like a 1/16 oz hair jig in silver/black or some type of white/silver......anything to match a small minnow or shad.

  • Super User

I use a 7.5' MH rod, 17# line, 5" weighted popping cork, approx 3' leader and a Bett's Pop N Spot, ripped in fast jerks across the top of the water.  Keep one rigged and in the boat at all times.  For schooling bass, Stripers and Hybreds chasing shad, it's deadly when they are breaking the surface or worked across points.  Don't catch many real big fish, approx 4# bass, 8# hybred and 12# stripper is about the largest I've caught on it but the numbers of fish are beyound counting.

  • Super User

Been doing this for quite a while, when the water is on the cool side. A small jig below a float is my standard crappie rig. I've caught enough bass while crappie fishing to add it to my bag of tricks. Any type of float will work, but a slip float is the most efficient. Any kind of jig will work too. But in cold water, the hair jig (fly) will outproduce all others. Any of the small drop-shot style plastics will work, rigged on a jighead, beneath a float. Just make sure the rig is weighted so the float barely floats.

One of my favorites is a wacky-rigged french fry, with a shot about 18" above the hook. I like to let this drift into weed lines or brush. I'll pull it just a little bit and let it settle. It's rather like very slow senko fishing. Obviously, drifting into cover is not a light line technique.

But, most of the time, I'm using a small slip float, 1/16oz jig, and a small shot, with 8lb test, on a spinning rig. You can cast it or drift it. Most of the time this is a slow presentation. In the coolest of water, the less you move it, the better it will produce. Flourocarbon line is a plus for this technique. I've used it down to about 10 feet. To go below that you need stouter line, heavier jigs, more weight and bigger floats. Bites are mostly subtle, and with too light weight a rig, fish too deep, you will not detect a lot of the takes. I always use a scent with this rig. For me, this has not been a big fish technique, but will put some fish in the boat.

Way2Slow, that's an interesting version of it you're using. I've made a note of it, and will be giving it a try. Is this your own invention?

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