If you've ever wanted to fish the Float 'n' Fly you've got to try this new method! “When the water is 56 or even 54, the smallmouth all run back in the creeks and they chase down all the shad and crawfish they can eat,” says smallie expert and fishing guide Jim Duckworth. We’re talking about the float-’n’-fly—a small 1/16- to 1/8-ounce hair jig suspended beneath a small bobber using 4- to 6-pound line fished on a super-light spinning rod. Say you have a straight bluff; right where the river hits the bluff is a sweet spot. Float’n Fly Fishing while having “fly” in the name is traditionally a conventional angling tactic pioneered in the American south to fish for Spotted bass during the winter. Those same experts are also firm believers in using fixed bobbers with jigs set from 6 to 14 feet, which necessitates using lightweight noodle rods in 9- to 12-foot lengths. Nuckols' Float-N-Fly fishing on Watauga depends on water conditions. Back in the early 1980’s, when I first heard about the specialized technique known as “float and fly” fishing, most of the articles I read were geared toward southern smallmouth fisheries. If you want to go slip bobber, a mediumlight 6 ½- to 7-foot rod is all you need. If you have any info drop me a line . Normal spinning rods proving inadequate, anglers who caught onto this technique adapted fly rods to fling the tiny floats and hair jigs. It works because bait fish struggle […] The float 'n' fly system can heat up your fishing in cold weather. It started off as a way to fish small jigs and minnows to catch crappies in the winter. Fly fishing for smallmouth bass. Float n Fly Bass Fishing Video. In a slight chop, move the float only occasionally to change position. Great article. The bobber might simply move differently or suddenly lie flat on the water, indicating that a fish has taken the weight of the jig off the bobber. Through online correspondence on a smallmouth fishing Internet discussion board, I was informed by some good ‘ole southern boys that Charlie did not actually invent the rig, but he did perfect it and was certainly a master at marketing it. The float-and-fly rig works wherever bass suspend in cold-water conditions. This technique proved itself time and time again when the fishing conditions were tough, especially in cold water or when fishing extremely pressured bass. The best action is no action at all; just allow the waves to move the jig up and down in tiny increments that cause the hair and feathers to twitch and pulsate. A small package of glass beads will round out the terminal tackle. You can easily get away from the crowds and fish sections of the rivers that receive less angling pressure than many parts of the streams. Tying in some chenille on the hook shank ensures good absorption for your favorite scent, and don’t forget to make some with eyes; more times than not, jigs with eyes will out-fish those without. There’s no need for that “summertime, jig-n-pig fishing, cross your eyes” hookset here. Both spin flying and fly fishing options are available. at lake ERIE around middle Island on the Canada side . Buy A Copy. In fact, this has become the go-to rig for our traditional early-spring crappie fry, which we usually schedule a short time after ice-out, when a few weeks of warming guarantees crappies in the shallow coves. Come fly fish some of the best smallmouth waters in the Southeast. Stay away from fast-action rods that flex mostly in the tip; instead, look for a more parabolic bend and a rig rated for 1/8 to 3/8 ounces and 6- to 15-pound-test line. You can repeat this until you are out of the strike zone, but I can’t emphasize enough the importance of going extremely slow. you're no longer limited to a set length, nor do you need the long rod! Savvy anglers know that when the water temperature reaches 52 degrees smallmouth bass begin to migrate out of the creek channels and into the main lake. Charlie Nuckols is considered by many to be the father of the float-and-fly rig. For those of you who are more visual learners. Buy A Copy. Some of the larger mail-order fishing tackle companies offer float-and-fly kits, though I have opted to have a friend make my jigs, which guarantees me a good-quality hook. It works extremely well for cold-water largemouth bass, pickerel, perch and crappies. The best smallmouth action is from mid to late April all the way through to late Oct. or early Nov. Make certain that the drag on the reel is relatively loose for the light monofilament, especially if you are using a low-stretch main line, and set the hook by raising the rod straight up. Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! Look for jigs with size 2/0 hooks and weights of 1/16 ounce and 1/8 ounce. Fishing for smallmouth bass can be done during the customary fishing seasons but in particular areas. Techniques Used Im thinking about trying something new and instead of using a fly, Ill use soft plastics on a light ball head jig! Anywhere there is a nick in the bluff, or any point on the bluff is a sweet spot. January 17, 2015 ODU Admin Bass Fishing Comments Off on Float-N-Fly for Smallmouth Bass. Whether you opt for the traditional setup or a slip bobber approach, this finesse technique is a guaranteed winner when the water gets cold and the bite gets tough. When the water temperatures drop in the fall or rise in the spring into the upper 40s, it’s prime time to break out the float and fly. Let the rig sit for a minute or so, then move it only a foot or two using subtle movements of the rod tip to give the jig a little action. Your craft should not drift with the wind or move under paddle or motor power: If it's moving, your fly will drag and you'll lose the precise fly control you need. Between their geographical abundance, hyper-aggressive nature, and the power they can impose against a taught line, bass are a great opportunity for anglers to diversify their regularly targeted species, as well as have a great fight. Please let us know your preference when you book. Here’s a video of how to rig up a float n fly as described in this post. It's guaranteed he'll be throwing it in February, but his tactics may differ slightly with the bobber set from 10 to 15 feet. You should experiment with a couple styles to see what works best for you. What it entails is fishing a small “doll-fly” like jig under a fixed bobber on typically steep sloping banks, in hopes to target suspending smallmouth bass during cold water conditions. By Don Wirth. Last week I said I’d tell you more about the hot weather version of the float-and-fly after I knew more about it. The reality is that the float-and-fly rig had been around for many years prior to Charlie popularizing the technique. I will try this in a couple mo. Little Tennessee River Fly Fishing Guides for Smallmouth Bass, Guided Float Trips in drift boats starting at $225.00 per boat, all tackle and flies provided No other trip allows you to access over 100 miles of river that is not accessible by foot. • Back coves that warm in early spring; woody cover is a bonus. Those same southern experts suggest that on sunny days and in clear water, jigs should be light colors such as white, pink and baby blue. Float down the French Broad, Nolichucky, Tuckasegee or North Toe river with a professional guide, while casting lures for hungry smallmouth! I even caught a few winter holdover striped bass one cold day on a float-and-fly rig, just to prove it could be done. • Bluff banks, rocky points with adjacent deep water, and steeply sloping rocky shorelines. Required fields are marked *, Copyright © 2021 On The Water, LLC. Well, this week I’ve had a chance to give it a try. Staying with a heavier 1/8-ounce jig usually solves that problem. Guided Float Trip for Smallmouth Bass – Tuckasegee River Summer 2012. Put a couple drops of your favorite scent on the jig and let her fly! (August 2009) ... 2020 Fly Fishing Made Easy. When you are out fly fishing for smallmouths, there are different techniques you can use to fish them out of your favorite spot in the river or the lake. This float fishing trip gives you three full days of great West Virginia Smallmouth Bass fishing, riverside camping, and delicious meals. In colored water, he'll switch to a 1/8-ounce fly with chartreuse highlights and back to the routine 1/16-ounce gray and blue jig in clear conditions. White, for some reason, seems to excel under cloudy conditions. I first experimented with float-and-fly rigs early one spring. Today there are many synthetic materials that make great flies for the float-n-fly rig. Afterward I switched to a suspending crankbait, but was met with limited success. Savvy anglers know that when the water temperature reaches 52 degrees smallmouth bass begin to migrate out of the creek channels and into the main lake. For bobbers, I’m partial to the 4 3/8-inch Thill Center Slider balsa slip bobbers. Your email address will not be published. Some strikes will be easy to detect, with the bobber being pulled completely under the surface, but that’s not the norm. After a few fish, retie and adjust the depth of the jig. One particular southeastern Massachusetts river system is so thick with weeds that you could walk across them in the summertime, but that same skinny water in early spring offers warmer water and an abundance of crappies, bass and pickerel hanging just above the emerging weeds. It was late November, and water temperatures were falling into the 40s. I don’t know about you, but at the time I was experimenting with this rig, the last thing I wanted in my tournament bass rig was a 12-foot noodle rod – talk about an accident ready to happen! Today, Charlie’s brother Eddie Nuckols runs Bullet Lures, which remains the main source of the specialized lures and equipment used in the “Float-N-Fly” system. Smallmouth Float trips "They eat like a fish should" Join us for a float trip targeting Smallmouth Bass on the fly. During these frigid winter months I often find myself thinking about something dear to me – smallmouth fishing. For me, one of the less obvious rewards to mastering this technique is that it instantly connects me to my youth, bringing back those wonderful memories of waiting in anticipation for my bobber to go down. The fact that it requires a slow, deliberate presentation is a natural fit for the bulky clothing required to maintain warmth during these colder months. The float n’ fly was developed by Charlie and Eddie Nuckols in Eastern Tennessee. • Coves or shallow river systems that are too weedy to fish in the summer can be hot spots in the spring and late fall. Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guide Trips Guided smallmouth bass trips are one of the most popular trips requested in Asheville, NC. Then the game was on for the rest of the day. The Float n' Fly was developed by Charlie and Eddie Nuckols in eastern Tennessee. Like any new fishing technique, success brings confidence, but I didn’t find either in my early trials. I like them tied so the bucktail is about twice the length of the hook, with an overall length around 2 ½ inches. A very effective cold-weather smallmouth bass technique, the Float ‘n’ Fly originated on Cherokee Lake, a clear, deep, rocky reservoir in the Appalachian foothills.The presentation works best with long, limber rods and light lines. I finally thru try and failur landed on woolly bugger patterns, darker worked better with a thingamabobber fishing them in the same way as described above. The Biggest Antlered Does You’ve Ever Seen—Including a 200-incher. you're no longer limited to a set length, nor do you need the long rod! SUCCESSFUL FLOAT TRIPS FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS. The rig really shines when it comes to catching quality smallmouth bass in early spring and late fall, but it is also an effective technique for largemouths, pickerel, crappies, bluegills and trout. Float trips for smallmouth bass can give you some of the finest fly fishing you can find. One article in particular, authored by Charlie Nuckols and published a long time back in Bassmaster magazine, got me thinking about applying the technique in my tournament largemouth fishing during cold water or tough bites. I never experimented with a fixed bobber and noodle rod; the thought of trying to cast 14 feet of line hanging beyond a 12-foot rod just never appealed to me. There are a number of different style bobber stops available, and I’ve tried them all with varying success. Assuming you are using sharp fine-wire hooks, that is all that is required to set the hook. When most people hear “Float n' Fly,” they think smallmouth - and it makes sense. They stay there all winter long until the water temperature rises above 52 degrees.”. “The suspended fish will be on the main lake bluffs and the main lake points,” says Duckworth. When you make your backswing, you have to make sure that the lure hits the water behind you and the rod is fully loaded before you cast. What I found was interesting. Here's all you need to find under-the-radar float-fishing trips for smallmouth bass on several of our state's best rivers. The North Central and Western parts of our state offer up a plethora of outstanding trophy smallmouth fishing opportunities. Continue reading this article at this LINK.…. The fly used in this technique is actually a lead-head jig tied like a fly. Whether you want to kick off your season early or extend it well into the fall, I can’t think of a more versatile rig to fish for a multitude of species. John had been having great success using the float and fly for smallies where he lived in Ellsworth, Maine, and it didn’t take long for him to show me why. “When the water hits 52 degrees they come out to the main lake where they suspend. It was eventually adapted by tournament bass anglers in Northern California to fish for spotted bass on reservoirs like Lake Oroville, Lake Shasta, and Bullarads Bar Reservoir. With clouds, wind or in stained water, white/chartreuse and smoke/chartreuse are their recommendations. Set the bobber stop to suspend the jig just off the bottom, at the top of the weed bed, or at the depth you think fish are suspended. From the swivel, attach a length of light 6- to 8-pound-test fluorocarbon fishing line. It has a future in smallmouth angling, if it’s adapted to conditions. How to Fly Fish Smallmouth Bass. The third swivel loop is where you attach the bobber. Fly tackle or spinning tackle is also the most admired fishing tools for many anglers hunting for this fish. There is a proven method that can produce some excellent winter action, It’s called the Float n’ fly(FNF) technique. As a result, winter crappie fishermen would break off a lot of small jigs thanks to smallmouth bass – BIG smallmouth bass. September 18, 2007. I use many of these techniques myself and agree with the tips. CREEK Fly Fishing for Smallmouth Bass. Hunting. Luckily for me, my friend John introduced me to his version of the rig, which utilizes a slip bobber and can be fished on a standard-length rod. I’ve been watching Wild Fly videos for awhile now and they definitely have some cool content. Plus, this video includes some footage of the float and fly in action. This technique was aimed at targeting suspended smallmouth and spotted bass when the water temps started creeping into the low 40’s. Run the line through a small glass bead, then through the slip bobber. Fly fishing for smallmouth bass on the New River can be simply fantastic!From mid-river feeding flats to shady bank cover to rocky-cobbled runs, the New River has ample structure to target big, mature (18"+) smallmouth effectively on the fly. In the flattest conditions, I’ll work the bobber ever so slowly back to the boat with slight rod twitches, letting the fly sit for minutes at a time between movements. Join ODU Magazine on Facebook here at this LINK….. Join ODU Magazine on our Twitter fishing site here at this LINK….. Join ODU Magazine on our Twitter hunting site here at this LINK….. Those are the kind of things you want to look for. The southern experts are firm believers that craft hair breathes best, but I’ve had good luck with simple ties utilizing bucktail in natural colors. Fishing the traditional setup and rigs certainly works for those who are willing to take the time to master it, but if you’re like me and you’d prefer to just break out the rigs and fish them on your standard spinning or even conventional rods, then the slip bobbers might be the thing for you. For those who might be braver than me, however, I’ll describe those traditional southern rigs for comparison. Hey yall, float and fly user for years. If you're like me, you miss the warm sun on your back and the bend of a 8wt rod with a bronzeback on the other end. A delicately presented hair jig can tempt cold-water smallmouth bass - and more. I think I know more about it. Thank you. Most stillwater smallmouth fishing is done from a float-tube, kick-boat, canoe, or bass boat. If you've ever wanted to fish the Float 'n' Fly you've got to try this new method! • Flats or gravel bars adjacent to any of the above structures. Then tie on your jig, have a bottle of scent handy, and you’re ready to go. Before you say, “ I’d never!” read on and see how this technique has accounted for some hefty tournament wins during the winter and early springtime, often outperforming other baits to catch above-average bass. Stay focused on the bobber at all times. There is still bass fishing … So I swiched to a 6 weight fly rod and started casting several bass bugs with less luck then the day before. A designated gear boat and boater that sets up camp long before you arrive Nolichucky, or... To switch it up you three full days of great West Virginia smallmouth bass, trout, and the lake. 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