Saltwater Flies for Bass Fishing and Bass Flies for Saltwater Fishing
In my forty plus years of fly fishing I have discovered that some of my saltwater fishing flies work well in fresh water and that some of my bass fishing flies work well in saltwater.
I have caught trout, bass and pan fish on what are traditionally considered saltwater fishing flies. I now use several different saltwater fly patterns to catch freshwater fish. The Clouser’s minnow and Lefty’s deceiver minnows are a great choice when fishing for bass and in the smaller sizes large pan fish. I believe that both of these flies simulate small minnows that are prevalent in all environments where we fish. It is the color choice that is most important, and that choice will be dictated by the clarity of the water and the color of the natural minnows that exist where you are fishing. One of my favorite saltwater fishing flies for large pan fish is the bonefish special tied in a little smaller size. I have also caught large crappie bass using Crazy Charlie flies in yellow and chartreuse colors, and try red, yellow or pink Crazy Charlie flies for large pan fish. In cloudy water on a sunny day try a kryatal Flash Charlie for pan fish and a Kryatal flash for bass and crappie.
You can also catch saltwater species of fish with what are considered to be bass fishing flies. In a previous article I chronicle a trip to the N.C. coast when the fishing was unbelievable and I exhausted all of my saltwater fishing flies. I resorted to bass flies and continued to catch fish. I have caught saltwater trout, bluefish, tarpon, redfish and more with flies that are supposed to be for bass fishing. For tarpon, stripers, snook and bluefish try Rabbit Strip Divers, Mega Divers, Zonker and Bass Buggers. If you are after sea trout or redfish you might want to try Woolly Buggers in either a chartreuse or olive color. Again, I think color is very important and I recommend you try chartreuse, yellow or olive colors for redfish and trout. For stripers, and bluefish and tarpon just about any bright color with flash will work.
When fly fishing in saltwater and freshwater I suggest you take a large variety of both saltwater fishing flies and bass fishing flies with you and do not be afraid to experiment. You might be surprised.
Tight lines and clear water,
Brian
Tags: bass, bass fishing flies, bluefish, bonefish, fly fishing for bass, redfish, saltwater fishng flies, tarpon
