Float and Fly

[Garnet]

Would like some input on the float and fly technic. Setups and equipment. Is this technic used in the summer or just a winter deal.

Garnet

[Al Wolbach]

I'm not an expert on this but I have done it with some success. It is primarily a winter technic, water below 45degrees, however it will work anytime. There are usually more effective ways to fish when the water is warmer.

Most fishermen in E. Tn. use a long ML spinning rod ( 7.5' to 9.5' ). Basicly a crappie rig with 4-6 lb line. Using a small jig, about 1/32 oz. made with duck feathers fished 6-20 feet below a float. The ripple of the water will normally provide all the necessary action. You normally fish along bluffs or steep points.

Hope this answers some questions. If you have more specific questions ask away, I'll try to answer. By the way, this technic is about as exciting as watching paint dry 99 per cent of the time, however it will catch big fish also. It will catch almost anything that swims........................................Al

[roadwarrior]

Last months In-Fisherman had a article dedicated to Float'nFly. Fred McClintock was interviewed as the source expert within the piece. The overview, to paraphrase, "This is a technique of last resort.  It's slow, boring and generally only produces little fish."

[Garnet]

I was hoping for boring and big fish............I saw article with diagrams looked like a red/white bobber is this nessary. What lb test and bc or spinning.

That issue is at work will check Sun. night.

Garnet

[roadwarrior]

The target is suspending fish, usually in clear or relatively clear water. So, light line and/or fluorocarbon on spinning tackle. A red & white bobber isn't mandatory, but the system requires a float to keep the fly (jig) suspended. Note this too, bigger bass are occasionally caught on the F-N-F rig, it's just not common.

[paparock]

There is a lot of great information on this site in the Fishing Articles section at the top of the page.

here are some additional sources of info.

http://www.float-n-fly.com/

http://www.outdoorlife.com/outdoor/fishing/bass/article/0,19912,553024,00.html

http://members.aol.com/ladoz2/may05.html

http://www.smallmouthspecialty.com/float.pdf

I am just learning it myself, so good luck and thight lines.

[Phil Carver]

I believe that the most vital thing for the Float N Fly method to work is water clarity . If you choose to use the Float N Fly , you will have more success if the water is very clear . Although this application is used primarily in the colder months , it will definatly work in the summer months as well when there is a strong cold front . I would use a rod that is a medium light to medium action . The rod will need to be at least 7' long to cast the bait out . The longer the rod , the better . Slip floats do not seem to work as well as stationary ones due to the fact that as the slip float drifts , the line is pulled back up through the float decreasing the depth range that you are targeting as well as the indication of a strike . There are many types of jigs that will work . The best that I have found is one made by Cumberland Pro Lures . Visit their website and take a look at there Float N Fly jigs to get an idea . Let us know what success you have with this presentation . Have a great day .

[roadwarrior]

One of my business associates just spent two days last weekend at Dale Hollow. They fished with guides both days, float n' fly exclusively. The weather was brutally cold and the water extremely clear. The four fisherman caught three smallmouth, 2 1/2 -3 lbs was the largest. One of the guides caught a 5+, but the other guide zeroed.

As I stated earlier, this is a slow technique, but at least they caught a few fish.

[Shadcranker]

It's an awesome tecnique when fish are suspended in cold clear water. The key, as with most smallie fishing in clear highland reservoirs is the barometric pressure, clouds, and wind.

On Dale Hollow or Center Hill if the pressure is high, bright skies, and little or no wind (if clear, you can see down 30 ft), you can throw dynamite and not find them. If you get some cloud cover and moderate chop on the water, the fish will feed. And there are really only a handful of ways to catch fish suspended over 50 ft of water- float n fly over their head, live minnows on a split shot, or a silver buddy or tail spinner worked slowly through the zone.

I don't think McClintock fishes the fly much at all. But most of the guides on the lake fish it all winter.

Fred fishes jerkbaits and aggressive baits most of the year, but the float n fly will outproduce any other tecnique most days when the water temp is below 48 and the fish are suspended.

If you fish clear, rocky, highland reservoirs where the fish suspend over deep water in the winter, it is an important thing to know how to do.

[earthworm77]

Boring yes, little fish....no. This technique has the ability to bring in some of the biggest fish in the cold weather when most other methods goose egg.