Newbie to bass

[spig]

Hi there,

With summer approaching I was wondering if anyone can help me out with exploring bass (or any other freshwater) fishing with a fly.

In the 2 years of (trying) to fish I have only targeted trout, but have found that now as it gets warmer they (trout) become a bit hard to catch.

Are there any general flies that you guys can recommend that I start out with? As the time goes on I'll learn of more (and try to tie them). Also, is a 5/6 weight rod adequate.......hope so, budget is very tight.

Andrew

[tye2]

5/6 should be just fine have a look at www.fishingowl.co.za they have some nice bass flys in there online shop ! , or you can use big Wolly bugger's , Zonkers , MPS and most barbel/ LM yellowfish flys will work.

good luck

[Pieter]

I have been very successful with flies that float especially in areas with submerged structure. I found that that draws them out so at least you know there is bass about and you can try some other enticing patterns if the floaters don’t give you pleasure

[spig]

I have been very successful with flies that float especially in areas with submerged structure. I found that that draws them out so at least you know there is bass about and you can try some other enticing patterns if the floaters don’t give you pleasure

I read somewhere that using Booby's on a floating line work for bass. I've got the fly tying disc from Sean......will take a peak there too.

Thanx

[Chris Shelton]

I have been very successful with flies that float especially in areas with submerged structure. I found that that draws them out so at least you know there is bass about and you can try some other enticing patterns if the floaters don’t give you pleasure

Large bass poppers have got to be the most exciting way of catching bass, but it mainly applies to large-mouth bass. Small mouth bass seldom come to the surface.

An effective way of fishing the bass popper is to cast it as close to structure of any kind, but wait.......the secret is to leave it alone! After a minute or two, give it a solid pluck and......leave it alone again! Repeat this over and over, giving long pauses in between plucks.

Don't be too hasty to cast back to the structure either. I have caught a number of lovely large-mouth right at my feet in Teewaterskloof dam (before the catfish took over). I fish the popper back to me in the manner that I just described over a distance of 20 metres, taking my time about it. You literally draw the bass right out of their holes when you do this, they just cannot resist it.

[Chris Shelton]

In hindsight, re my comment about small mouth bass seldom coming to the surface, this is not always the case. Some of my biggest small mouths have been caught using exactly the same technique. My last one was in the Doring river, a lovely fish of 1.7kgs

[spig]

Where would be good waters around the Cape Town area for bass.

I see Sean and them are planning a trip to Eikenbosch on Sunday........bummer, it's my son's b/day.

But ja, any waters around here?

[Chris Shelton]

The Breede river is literally teaming with small mouth bass. The Berg too. I work in Paarl and I regularly hear reports from my colleagues about the big bass their youngsters have caught in the town stretch

[croozer]

Hey Spig !

Are you looking for still water or rivers?

I see you're in brakenfell , Piets dam as I'm sure you know is stocked with trout bass and apparently some nice size blue gills...

Also in Van riebeekshof ( spelling ) has two boies of water the top one has some nice bass and carp in it.

[spig]

Hey Spig !

Are you looking for still water or rivers?

I see you're in brakenfell , Piets dam as I'm sure you know is stocked with trout bass and apparently some nice size blue gills...

Also in Van riebeekshof ( spelling ) has two boies of water the top one has some nice bass and carp in it.

Hi Croozer

Is "Piet's dam" the bottlary one? If so, yes, I've been there. Loads of bluegills. Caught some trout recently for the first time as well

Van Riebeekshof? Are there fish in there? Will definitely check it out.

Have you been to the 2 dams in Sontraal? Is there anything there?

For these dams, Van Riebeekshof and Sonstraal "dams", does one need any documents/permits or can I just pitch up and fish?


Andrew