[Robert M]

On average how large are your Warmwater Flies what are you fishing for

[crowbuster]

LArgemouth bass almost exclusively. I throw main 8-12 but will throw larger on occasion. However, they are not small body flies; they're pretty big for 8-12.

[MickThompson]

I fish for smallmouth in rivers. I tie 4 1/2" zonkers on a #4 streamer hook, and 2-3" surface flies on #2 and1/0. I think you will have more success with bigger flies (3"+) for bass, at least with subsurface flies, because flies don't make as much noise and vibration as conventional bas tackle, so you need the bigger profile to get their attention.

[TheCream]

I tie almost every bass fly of mine under 4". In SE Ohio, I am fishing a lot of small public lakes from shore and kayak that get pretty heavy pressure from other anglers, but I tend to be the only fly angler. Due to the pressure, I like to throw smaller patterns around the 2.5-3" range. It will surprise you how many large fish will hit smaller baits, too. I am about as likely to catch a 12" crappie as an 18" largemouth, it seems. My biggest bass flies are smaller versions of Barry's Pike Fly, tied on a #2 heavy shank bait hook, about 5" in length. I have not used them much yet, but the action is phenomenal.

[smalliestalker]

I fish mainly for smallmouth in rivers, my flies are all 3-6 inches in length...mainly baitfish patterns.....usually tied on a 1/0 or size 2 streamer hook...Largemouth are usually 1/0 or 2/0 hooks, 3-8 inch baitfish patterns, poppers in the 2-5 inch range, divers....LMB are usually shallow lakes 8-12 ft deep....Walleye I fish the same patterns as smallies....Pickerel I use a combo of LMB and SMB flies, usually divers and poppers on the surface....I throw either a 6 wt or 8 wt...both 9 ft.....

[tidewaterfly]

Largemouths mainly but Stripers too in many of the same tidal creeks I fish. Sometimes catch both together!

1/0 or 2/0 mostly, average 3 to 4 inches long.

Baitfish primarily, then others!

8 wt. most of the time, but I'll go up to a 10 wt, or down as far as a 3 wt depending on the water being fished & the flies I intend to throw.

Mostly I fish in tidalwater, but when I fish in freshwater it's usually in a stream.

[smallieFanatic]

Generally I fish for Smallmouths in lakes with a 5-6 wt. My flies are usually representing various baitfish and are in the #2-#6 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" range.
Just so you know though a Smallmouth is a black bass also

[Robert M]

Generally I fish for Smallmouths in lakes with a 5-6 wt. My flies are usually representing various baitfish and are in the #2-#6 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" range.
Just so you know though a Smallmouth is a black bass also

Yea I think spotted basses fall under that umbrella also. Duh!

Originally I wasn't going to include the stripers, whipers and whites

[FishyboY]

river smallmouth from a kayak. 1 1/2-3inch flies. 8wt so i can get some of the carp also and the occasional catfish or largie.

[day5]

Smallies
2/0
2 to 4 inches
6 wt
rivers and lakes

[smallieFanatic]

Generally I fish for Smallmouths in lakes with a 5-6 wt. My flies are usually representing various baitfish and are in the #2-#6 1 1/2" - 2 1/2" range.
Just so you know though a Smallmouth is a black bass also

Yea I think spotted basses fall under that umbrella also. Duh!

Originally I wasn't going to include the stripers, whipers and whites

Yes you're right--all Micropterous species are considered black bass

[BrianMyers]

Smallies in rivers and streams
size 6-8 mostly @ 1"-2" esp. any pattern that rides hook up
7wt 90% of the time
Always seem to do better with smaller flies even when fishing lakes for largemouths

[JSzymczyk]

the last few years I only had largemouths available near where I lived. I usually fished the biggest fugliest things I could cast on my 7 wt. Normally the bigger the better, largemouths are called largemouths for a reason. I've caught baby 5 inch largemouths on a 5 inch streamer. I've also caught some bigger largemouths (4-5 lbs) on #10 wet flies while trying to catch bluegills.

Smallmouths in rivers and streams (thank God I now live in smallmouth country!) I normally do better with stuff in the general size of the baitfish and other prey creatures in the water. Streamers 2-4 inches and nymphs/buggers/others in whatever size, but not tiny. Bass appreciate a mouthful, even during a hatch of big bugs. Also have caught some really nice smallmouths on #12 and #10 woollly worms and nymphs.

You need to cover all the bases.

[eugward]

I know for myself I will threw smaller flies to get blue gills too. There are times that I will cast the bigger flies to only go bass or pickerel fishing.

[Robert M]

So it looks like if you went fishing for Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass with a 6 to 7wt rig and used a baitfish patter that was tied on a #6 to #2 hook with an overall length of 2-1/2" to 4" you would be in pretty good company no matter where you went fishing.


So is there a way to refine this survey/poll so it would give a better idea of what a beginner could do to catch Bass species across the US?