I just got into fly fishing, I'm up in Dallas, I carry a 5wt with my Ultralight and Bassrod when I walk Creeks and Banks, a San Juan Worm is the only thing Ive thrown with the fly rod and Ive caught small to medium bass, but it kills panfish, so far the biggest has been a 4 pound Red Ear Sunfish. Glad I found your channel as I want to start targeting bass with the fly rod
Thanks for this. Never went for bass before only trout. Going to retire next year and will be fly fishing around the country and want to try bass. Thx agn
This is exactly right. I have 6 wt and 8 wt rods for bass but a 7 wt would be ideal if you are just starting out. The only thing I would add is that it's nice to have a fighting butt even on a 6 wt for fighting and landing these wonderful fish.
I use a 9’ 8 wt for bass. I went with an 8wt because I also wanted to target pike, except I haven’t came across any 😂. I’d also like to get into steelhead fishing with it!
How's about line type?? Floating, sink tip, intermediate, or full sinking all work in certain situations, but I stick with a floating line with a sink tip leader to a fairly short tippet for most situations other than poppers.
Excellent advice. As a trout guy with 3-5wt rods, those heavy streamers and poppers I’m finding hard to turn over. Will step up to something more like a 7-8. Thanks for the guidance
Beginner here, I was wondering if I should go for a 6 or 7 weight rod, I’m fishing small ponds and creeks with the occasional trip to a lake. Would love to know
also been fly fishing for smallmouths for about 45 years.... 7 was more or less an all-around and it still is. Built an 8 this winter even though it seemed maybe a little too much. These days there is so much overlap in what "weight" actually means- I've caught a ton of smallmouths to 20" this year and 8wt is absolutely not overkill. Yes I've caught more than a few 20+ on a 5wt too... but it comes down to effectively casting bigger/heavier/more-massive flies - and I'm not a huge fan of "bigger is better". So much appreciate Alvin's real world, no BS approach to chasing fish with fly gear. Use what you have, and just go catch fish!
Will a eagle claw 8 ft rod 5-6wt be fine for targeting bass I use it for bass trout and bluegill and all I use is little poppers dry flies and nymphs everyone says I need a 8wt to bass fly fish so now im kinda nervous if I catch a 6+ lb bass what if my 5-6wt fly rod can’t handle that type of bass
@@nottgav I would keep using what you have for now. I have landed some pretty big bass on 5 and 6 weight rods. If you want to throw bigger flies or if you keep catching big bass then you will have a good excuse to get a heavier rod.
@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing ok I just use small poppers I was just wondering if it could handle some huge bass if I use small flies that are poppers and small streamers a 5-6wt fly rod should be alright the rod is just a 8ft 5-6wt eagle claw light weight use it for bass bluegill and some trout!
Great video and answer! Used a 9wt today on choke canyon! Made my life easier against the wind and on long stretches of shallow water. Keep up the great work.
Been a bass angler for 14 years. Finally moved to a state with trout streams and stocked ponds. Was thinking bfs but fly looks awesome what would you recommend as a trout and bass fly rod for both species. Usually fishing small to mid size stream and rivers. Also stocked ponds! Just found your videos gave a like and subscribe. Any advice would be appreciated! Keep up the content man!
I usually take my 6wt salt hd out for bass in the local ponds. It’s my surf fishing rod and great all around however my old sage 890rp is my favorite for those big large mouth.
Hi Alvin, I currently use a 8ft 9WT for northern pike, bass aren't as big where I live (Quebec, Canada) i'm debating if i should just skip a line size and get a 7WT for bass or go lower with a 6WT, thank you for your great videos!
@stonehorn4641 Depends on the cover and size of the bass. The 8wt certainly helps with casting weedless 3/0 topwater into the bull rushes and lily pads.
Love the channel. My experience fishing summers here in Texas is fish are shallow early, go deep in the heat of the afternoon, and move back to the shallows in the evening. Am i wrong?
Currently using a 7 wt. throwing deer hair poppers. My question is how to maximize my casting distance. I struggle maintaining a consistent loop which kills my distance and accuracy. Been loving the content thanks for sharing
Use a swivel it will sink your line just enough to make it invisible and your tippet won’t spin. I use a water load cast to throw it out of the building. Check it out!
I’m a 4, 6, 8 weight type. I feel like 6 weight is the most versatile rod for trout and bass, 8 is best for bass. The 3, 5, 7 combo feels under gunned at each step for those species if you want some flexibility of throwing bigger flies. That said, of course I have a 5 weight! Enjoy your videos, thank you!
I'm a 2, 4, 7 and 10 man. I never feel under lined for my flies. For trout 2 and 4 is perfect for presentations. The 7 can cast just about anything and the 10 is for muskey flies and fighting big fish.
I have fly rods from 4,5,6,7 & 8 wt rods. Caught my biggest trout on a 6. Biggest bass on the 8. But the 7 is the one I use the most. More fish and more variety of fish on it than any other.
I don’t really bass fish much but I really like the glass rods for saltwater - I think they’re pretty fun for any fish you can really bend the rod hard on. Get yo bassmaster on.
Great advice and information. I have a few 3wts, a 4, two 5s a 6wt and two 8wts, recently I’m thinking a 7 would be the Goldilocks for bass. Now you’ve convinced me..I need another rod! 🙄 😅 You are the main reason I catch good largemouth, your flies are at the top of my list, and your instructions are proven. Thanks very much! Have a great one Alvin. 👍👌🎣✌️
Love your content! Started fly fishing two years ago and love the complexity. I’m just down the road from you in NB. I’ve been using a 5 weight, but have lost good fish on it, (caught good fish on it too!) naturally I have an 8 weight being shipped as we speak. Any tips for gar on the fly? Keep up the good work!
What I have found is that you get more hook ups with small sharp hooks. You can do the rope thing, but it is tough to get their teeth untangled and you will probably get bloody.
So, you spoke a lot about the proper weight rods, but I’m curious if you have a preference in terms of rod action. I own everything from a 4 to a 10, and they’re all very modern, fast action rods. I’m curious about trying a moderate or moderate-fast 7 weight, but I don’t just want to throw money at it. What are your feelings about moderate versus fast action rods for bass fishing? I appreciate any insights you can offer.
Personally i love my 6wt for fishing my local smallmouth river but i do find myself wanting to get a beefier rod for the potential of carp fishing and pike fishing. I think i need to get myself and 8wt to fill out my quiver.. just dont tell the wife 😂
I thought you were going to say, "what ever fly rod you have!"🤣 I still think a 6wt is the best all around rod that allows people on a budget to buy 1 rod and fish it!!!!
Just get a 10wt and call it good. That way youre good in the salt as well as on the lakes and streams. Fish wont refuse to bite your fly just because your rod is not matched up to protocol
The best rod!
Would love to fish with you my friend. All the way from Michigan. Thanks for the videos.
I just got into fly fishing, I'm up in Dallas, I carry a 5wt with my Ultralight and Bassrod when I walk Creeks and Banks, a San Juan Worm is the only thing Ive thrown with the fly rod and Ive caught small to medium bass, but it kills panfish, so far the biggest has been a 4 pound Red Ear Sunfish. Glad I found your channel as I want to start targeting bass with the fly rod
Thanks for this. Never went for bass before only trout. Going to retire next year and will be fly fishing around the country and want to try bass. Thx agn
I like my 8 wt. on Vermont smallmouths here on the Connecticut River, but I've caught some heavy cruisers on a 6 wt.
Thanks for the information on rods. It was very helpful.
Excellent review, Alvin! I ALWAYS ENJOY your videos. Thank you!
This is exactly right. I have 6 wt and 8 wt rods for bass but a 7 wt would be ideal if you are just starting out. The only thing I would add is that it's nice to have a fighting butt even on a 6 wt for fighting and landing these wonderful fish.
That is true! Thanks for mentioning it.
Lots of good info
Thanks Alvin? I live on the Nolichucky river here in Tennessee . Bigger smallmouth water, love that 7 and 8 wt. the 8wt handles it all.
I heard there was some good smallmouth water in Tennessee.
Nice! I thought I was the only fly guy on the Nolichucky. Been tryin to catch a musky there, but I did catch a 8" smallmouth on a 12" gamechanger!
@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing lots of good water, good fish
Nice explanation especially the part about use what you have and then go from there. Thanks for sharing
No need to wait, just get out there and see what happens.
I use an 8+ Sage Payload down here in Canyon Lake.
Love the videos, keep up the great work. Tight lines
Thanks! Will do!
I use a 9’ 8 wt for bass. I went with an 8wt because I also wanted to target pike, except I haven’t came across any 😂. I’d also like to get into steelhead fishing with it!
How's about line type?? Floating, sink tip, intermediate, or full sinking all work in certain situations, but I stick with a floating line with a sink tip leader to a fairly short tippet for most situations other than poppers.
Excellent advice. As a trout guy with 3-5wt rods, those heavy streamers and poppers I’m finding hard to turn over. Will step up to something more like a 7-8. Thanks for the guidance
Thanks alvin
Thanks for watching!
Beginner here, I was wondering if I should go for a 6 or 7 weight rod, I’m fishing small ponds and creeks with the occasional trip to a lake. Would love to know
also been fly fishing for smallmouths for about 45 years.... 7 was more or less an all-around and it still is. Built an 8 this winter even though it seemed maybe a little too much. These days there is so much overlap in what "weight" actually means- I've caught a ton of smallmouths to 20" this year and 8wt is absolutely not overkill. Yes I've caught more than a few 20+ on a 5wt too... but it comes down to effectively casting bigger/heavier/more-massive flies - and I'm not a huge fan of "bigger is better". So much appreciate Alvin's real world, no BS approach to chasing fish with fly gear. Use what you have, and just go catch fish!
Thanks Joel, well said sir!
Will a eagle claw 8 ft rod 5-6wt be fine for targeting bass I use it for bass trout and bluegill and all I use is little poppers dry flies and nymphs everyone says I need a 8wt to bass fly fish so now im kinda nervous if I catch a 6+ lb bass what if my 5-6wt fly rod can’t handle that type of bass
@@nottgav I would keep using what you have for now. I have landed some pretty big bass on 5 and 6 weight rods. If you want to throw bigger flies or if you keep catching big bass then you will have a good excuse to get a heavier rod.
@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing ok I just use small poppers I was just wondering if it could handle some huge bass if I use small flies that are poppers and small streamers a 5-6wt fly rod should be alright the rod is just a 8ft 5-6wt eagle claw light weight use it for bass bluegill and some trout!
🎉
I have a 4wt for trout, bluegill, crappie, & smaller bass. I have an 8wt for smallmouth & largemouth bass.
Sounds like you got it covered!
Great video and answer! Used a 9wt today on choke canyon! Made my life easier against the wind and on long stretches of shallow water. Keep up the great work.
Thanks for watching!
I caught about a 5 lb there on 9’ 9wt.
@@kirkalexander3431nicely done
Are you walking the banks with all those gators and tarantulas?
@@CATCHAHAWG Usually in the boat!
Been a bass angler for 14 years. Finally moved to a state with trout streams and stocked ponds. Was thinking bfs but fly looks awesome what would you recommend as a trout and bass fly rod for both species. Usually fishing small to mid size stream and rivers. Also stocked ponds! Just found your videos gave a like and subscribe. Any advice would be appreciated! Keep up the content man!
I usually take my 6wt salt hd out for bass in the local ponds. It’s my surf fishing rod and great all around however my old sage 890rp is my favorite for those big large mouth.
I like the advice, use the on you have…I use my 9’ 9 wt for bass, because thats what I have for inshore fish. Thanks!
Hi Alvin, I currently use a 8ft 9WT for northern pike, bass aren't as big where I live (Quebec, Canada) i'm debating if i should just skip a line size and get a 7WT for bass or go lower with a 6WT, thank you for your great videos!
I knew the answer but thanks for breaking it down 🤙🏾
I certainly enjoy fishing fiberglass in 7 or 8wts for bass. Your suggestion is spot on. You can't go wrong with a graphite 9' 7wt for bass.
Man, 8wt is stiff for bass. I fish 25+lb Atlantic Salmon on an 8wt.
@stonehorn4641 Depends on the cover and size of the bass. The 8wt certainly helps with casting weedless 3/0 topwater into the bull rushes and lily pads.
Love the channel. My experience fishing summers here in Texas is fish are shallow early, go deep in the heat of the afternoon, and move back to the shallows in the evening. Am i wrong?
Yup, that's the drill!
Currently using a 7 wt. throwing deer hair poppers. My question is how to maximize my casting distance. I struggle maintaining a consistent loop which kills my distance and accuracy. Been loving the content thanks for sharing
If you are getting good loops the best way to turn over bigger flies is with a shorter heavier leader.
Over-lining isn’t a bad option either. For a WFF line, I use a 9 on my 8wt. It turns over big, wind-resistant flies much better.
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Bass Bug….
I run mine on a 9ft Echo EPR and I can bomb 80’ and cut through wind just fine 🤍
Use a swivel it will sink your line just enough to make it invisible and your tippet won’t spin. I use a water load cast to throw it out of the building. Check it out!
I’m a 4, 6, 8 weight type. I feel like 6 weight is the most versatile rod for trout and bass, 8 is best for bass. The 3, 5, 7 combo feels under gunned at each step for those species if you want some flexibility of throwing bigger flies. That said, of course I have a 5 weight! Enjoy your videos, thank you!
I'm a 2, 4, 7 and 10 man. I never feel under lined for my flies. For trout 2 and 4 is perfect for presentations. The 7 can cast just about anything and the 10 is for muskey flies and fighting big fish.
I have fly rods from 4,5,6,7 & 8 wt rods. Caught my biggest trout on a 6. Biggest bass on the 8. But the 7 is the one I use the most. More fish and more variety of fish on it than any other.
It's a great size that doesn't get enough love.
I don’t really bass fish much but I really like the glass rods for saltwater - I think they’re pretty fun for any fish you can really bend the rod hard on. Get yo bassmaster on.
I have an 8 weight glass rod, might have to get that thing on the water soon.
Great advice and information. I have a few 3wts, a 4, two 5s a 6wt and two 8wts, recently I’m thinking a 7 would be the Goldilocks for bass. Now you’ve convinced me..I need another rod! 🙄 😅 You are the main reason I catch good largemouth, your flies are at the top of my list, and your instructions are proven. Thanks very much! Have a great one Alvin. 👍👌🎣✌️
Nice info
Love your content! Started fly fishing two years ago and love the complexity. I’m just down the road from you in NB. I’ve been using a 5 weight, but have lost good fish on it, (caught good fish on it too!) naturally I have an 8 weight being shipped as we speak. Any tips for gar on the fly? Keep up the good work!
What I have found is that you get more hook ups with small sharp hooks. You can do the rope thing, but it is tough to get their teeth untangled and you will probably get bloody.
So, you spoke a lot about the proper weight rods, but I’m curious if you have a preference in terms of rod action. I own everything from a 4 to a 10, and they’re all very modern, fast action rods. I’m curious about trying a moderate or moderate-fast 7 weight, but I don’t just want to throw money at it. What are your feelings about moderate versus fast action rods for bass fishing? I appreciate any insights you can offer.
Love my 8wt for the hogs and my 2wt when i want a bigger fight!
6wt, 9’, preferably a Loop or Sage.
Thanks 😉
You're welcome!
Personally i love my 6wt for fishing my local smallmouth river but i do find myself wanting to get a beefier rod for the potential of carp fishing and pike fishing. I think i need to get myself and 8wt to fill out my quiver.. just dont tell the wife 😂
I watch to hear you laugh. Then I settle in for business and listen carefully. Skip a size is good info.
Thanks for watching!
My favorite is a 2wt, here in the local ditches!
I got a 7' glass 3 weight that is a great perch jerker!
I thought you were going to say, "what ever fly rod you have!"🤣 I still think a 6wt is the best all around rod that allows people on a budget to buy 1 rod and fish it!!!!
I did though!
@@AlvinDedeauxFlyFishing sorry. I was working and listing to the video! I admit it, I did not give you my full attention.
Just get a 10wt and call it good. That way youre good in the salt as well as on the lakes and streams. Fish wont refuse to bite your fly just because your rod is not matched up to protocol
Best rod? the one in my hand of course.
As always!
Were you bass fishing and guiding in a previous life? Because you don't look a day over 30!
Ha ha, thanks!