Fly Fishing For Smallmouth

[Big John]

last year i decided to try fly fishing. i have a complete 5wt setup, 5/6 weight rod, large arbor reel, 5-weight floating weight forward line, leaders/tippets/etc. i had originally decided to fish for trout, but recently have started to consider using it for smallmouth. so a few questions... first, is a 5wt not enough? there seems to be conflicting answers about this. some people say you need a 7 or 8 weight to fish for bass, while others say a 5 or 6 is plenty. i will only be fishing on a river, and average fish size is 8"-12" topping out around 16" or so. also, any fly suggestions with sizes? it seems to be clouser minnows, crayfish, and poppers are the most popular for SMB. nobody seems to suggest sizes though. what sizes would be best for a 5wt line for smallies?

[Gavin]

I'd get a 7wt so you can deliver some bigger flies...most of my topwaters are on size 2 or 1/0 hooks...Poppers, Gaines Sneaky Pete's, and some Pencil Poppers..Subsurface stuff is in the 3-4" range on size 4 or bigger hooks. Sparkleminnows, Shenk's Streamers, and some of the Articuated Patterns. S. Dungeons, Circus Peanuts, etc. Have fun.

[Big John]

thanks for the reply! any other suggestions?

[elkriverangler]

The 5/6 should work fine for you but it will handle the Size 2 & 4 Flies better than it will anything bigger.

You might also add some Black and/or White Wooley Buggers and some Murrays Marauders. Those along with a few colors of Clousers Minnows like Silver Shiner, Golden Shiner and Chartruese/White should catch you some Smallies.

[Sean MD]

The 5 weight is what I use. As long as you have the weight forward or "bass bug" designed line you will be fine throwing heavier flies. I use it and I can throw everything you mentioned above. I have an assortment of wooley buggers to imitate crayfish and various baitfish, but my favorite is summertime topwater. I throw poppers and have a lot of luck with them. After reading your post, I don't think you'll have any problems catching fish with that setup and those flies.

[Big John]

i do have weight forward line, but i dont believe it is considered a "bass taper". how much bigger do you think i can go than size 2 and 4. will i damage anything by trying to throw heavier flies, or will they just not work as well?

[webertime]

You won't damage anything throwing larger flies. If you are going after Smallies in creeks and rivers, there is no need for flies larger than say a size 2. Short of the occasional frog/mouse not much of a Smallmouth's diet in a river will be "big" Clouser Minnows, Purple/Black/Olive/White beadhead wooly buggers, Muddlers, and the Bar's Meat Whistle are my favorite Smallmouth flies.

[clayton86]

You won't damage anything throwing larger flies. If you are going after Smallies in creeks and rivers, there is no need for flies larger than say a size 2. Short of the occasional frog/mouse not much of a Smallmouth's diet in a river will be "big" Clouser Minnows, Purple/Black/Olive/White beadhead wooly buggers, Muddlers, and the Bar's Meat Whistle are my favorite Smallmouth flies.

that sounds so wrong lol but where do you guys buy your bass flies I looked on BPS they have some stuff but not alot it seems

[webertime]

I get my flies locally as well as through llbean, orvis, and cabelas.

[Big John]

since my rod is a 5/6 weight, would i benefit any going to something like the rio 6wt smallmouth line? Does it just make it easier to cast larger flies by going up a line size?

[webertime]

You really won't notice any change that is worth the time and $ to change.

[Gavin]

If you stick with the 5/6 you will be limited to smaller flies in the size 6-2 range. Small flies catch tons of sunfish and rockbass in addition to bass. It's a ton of fun, but if you want to target bass specifically you will want bigger flies. Line selection really depends on the rod...since you said its a 5/6...I'm figuring that its an inexpensive starter kit rod. Most of those feel like pool cues, or noodles...so it might be a good idea to take it to a fly shop and figure out what line works best on it. The Scientific Anglers Headstart line is a good one for beginners, inexpensive and basically a bass bug line with a different name.

If your looking for flies...Buy local if you can...if not there are plenty of good online sources. Look in the Streamer, Bass, and Saltwater categories. Have fun!

[johnmyers]

Orvis and Mad River Outfitters both have a lot of bass flies