I do a fair bit of fly fishing, mainly from rock marks, I use a 8# (weight forward) sinking line, straight through 10lb fluorocarbon leader of about 8 Foot, and any white trout lure, cast out, allowing the lure to sink 8 to 10foot before retrieving, and have great success catching Pollock and Bass.
Rob,just a tip ,for the sort of fly fishing you are doing the tapered leader is totally unnecessary, a straight forward 8/9 /10 ft leader is all you need with breaking strain to suit, tapered leaders are for delicate presentation and roll over with nymphs and dry flys, all lure type fly are fished straight thru,you will also benefit with the weed problem being solved.I hope this helps ,from a fly fisherman of 50 something years.
I agree with Gerald. Also try to make a welded loop on your line, that big perfection loop puts too much weight at the end of your line and will hamper your casting. Congratulations with your first 'flying bass'
Hi, first of all, i enjoyed your video, its full of genuine emotion, not like some folks screaming and faking excitement.... the reason i am writing to you is just i want to give u a piece of advice, if i may..... Rod and line, all are ok, but how u assemble it all matters. i mean connection between your line and leader, its too bumpy... easiest way is braided loop connector... but i like to buy lines with welded loop... its smooth. in your case, just make one.... cut the tip of the line by the angle, fold it, super glue it and cover it with wraps of some thin tying thread....secure all with some wader repair glue or any knot glue and thats it... i am lazy so i secure it with superglue, which after couple of months cracks so i have to make another loop. knot glue for example Loon uv knot sense can protect your leader knots too and they will reduce snagging by the weed. cheers vladimir
I've watched this video twice now. After the first time, you inspired me to dig out a fly rod that I had somewhere in the garage. Just a really cheap all in set up that I bought from Walmart about 12 years ago. I took it with me a couple of weeks ago & managed to land a couple of small speckled sea trout. Since then I've ordered a 9wt 9' set up. Can't wait to get my hands on it & give it a try. Thanks for all your effort with the great work you post. Cheers Rob.
Great start Rob! As others have said, you don’t really need a tapered leader for this kind of fishing and a braided loop on you fly line will make everything much smoother. When you’re casting, just allow an extra moment on the back cast for the line to load up the rod. It’s the loaded bend in the rod that allows an easy smooth forward cast and will greatly reduce the number of false casts that you need to make. Although I mostly fly fish for trout in the SW, I’ve fly fished from a small boat several times on the tidal Tamar and had plenty of mackerel, scad and bass. A large mackerel on a light fly rod can be a lot of fun. Keep up the good work!
Just one comment to say a BIG thank you to those of you with some experience that have taken the time to give me some good advice on saltwater fly fishing. I am just a beginner at this and any constructive advice from experienced fly anglers is very welcomed. This was my first attempt to catch a Bass on the fly although not my first attempt at saltwater fly-fishing this year 2018. I probably made a mistake by targeting Mullet first (Thin Lipped Mullet) with no success YET. However, it gave me a bit of casting practice in a very sheltered location (top of a creek) which was good. No doubt with more practice and experience things will improve and maybe a few more videos in the future.
Cornish Shore and Kayak Fisherman Just one small observation ,,when you are playing small fish their is no need to release the fly line you have trapped between your finger and the handle of the hod you just put more pressure on it so the fish can’t take line
Yeah, my right hand will lift the rod upwards with the line running through my finger. The left hand will pull the line down as your doing in the video. Very good to know how to do it like this is a fish is running towards you. You take up double the line and can do it very quickly.
If you are using a wet fly or weighted fly that sinks can you do so with floating line ? Im guessing it wil sink to the lengh of the mono leader then stop at the fly line or until u start stripping ? Im wandering about using sandeel imitation flies that sink but i dont know weather i need a sinking line ?
Hi Rob, you've had some really good constructive comments on this post which I fully agree with, certainly let your back cast straighten more with a positive stop of your rod approximately 1 o'clock position and you'll find your rod will 'load' more and that energy (with the correct timing) will be transferred into your forward cast. Take a look at the many videos on single & double haul techniques, you will increase your line speed and 'loading' of the rod which will help with the wind, particularly narrowing the loop in the forward cast when casting into wind. Also consider a line tray if you're not wading too deep, which prevents your line getting blown away from you and prevents the friction of the water limiting your final 'shooting' of the line. Great stuff Rob and look forward to more fluff chucking success. 😁🐟
Congrats on your first fly caught Bass. Always good to add another method to the arsenal. I had my first ever Sea Bass this year in a drop net intended for crab fishing with the Grandchildren. At about 5 inches long it wasn't a record breaker and I don't know who was most surprised, me or the fish. I had no idea there was Bass there so maybe next time I might try this method for one. Great film. Thanks for sharing.
I watched a video and you mentioned having sufficient line out to make a good cast - when you retrieved close in. A guide told me when fishing close in (stated trout will take right up to the bank) to start with a roll cast, then when the fly is in the air then turn it into your first false cast. This has the benefit of keeping the fly in the water longer and as your rod tip is back for a roll cast you have more line out.
Congratulations on your first fly-caught bass. Considering how short a time you have been casting you seem to be doing quite well, and your forward stop is distinct and well positioned. Your back cast is just as important however, and you need to work on smooth acceleration to a distinct stop here as well; your back casts were a little 'floppy', which will affect your forward cast, especially in wind. The shrimp pattern with 'eyes' at both ends is a tropical pattern, and the one set of dumbbell eyes is there to allow the fly to 'stand' on a clean sand bottom (as found on Caribbean beaches) just as the naturals do. It is less suited to silty and weedy Cornish estuaries. One piece of advice I would offer in retrieving such flies to induce a take from predatory fish, such as bass, would be to retrieve at a higher speed. Shrimp normally do not dart around at high speed, but when faced with predators they get more agitated, and a higher speed will provoke more takes from fish. Pauses are still recommended when fishing blind, but if you can see fish close by it can even be helpful to tuck your rod inside your elbow and use both hands to keep up a high retrieve speed.
Another good video. I've fly fished for years. Not read the comments but look in to a braided loop at the end of your fly line, as others have said don't bother with tapered leaders. I use 8lb or 10lb straight through. Also when trying to get some movement in the fly in the water, get the tip closer to the water. Around 13 mins when your rod is high the 'pull pull' movement is just absorbed in the slack line between the tip and the waters surface, and won't be transferred to the fly. Pretty hard at first to know where your fly is in the water...and as for the casting, yours looks great. With time wind won't phase you, youl be able to punch out a line in a decent head wind, or even back cast if it's a right to left breeze! Great effort and congrats on tour first fly caught bass
Hi Rod, my tip is to keep practicing on the playing field (and when you're walking through bushes and trees etc carry the rod but first to avoid snapping it.) Yet another great video.
Hi Rob, well done for catching a fish on the fly. Just a couple of tips to pass on. I agree with the other comments about the simple straight through leader however you might want to think about learning to double haul later on as it is a useful technique for windy conditions, finger guards are also useful as they help to protect your fingers against the constant rubbing of the fly line and salt.
Hi Rob, always enjoy your videos and I do quite a bit of flyfishing. I’ve found a floater with either a sinking poly leader helps get the fly down a bit. Another thing I do is to make up various lengths of differing densities of sinking line that go on the end of the floater ( loop to loop) personally I avoid weedy areas and concentrate further up the creeks like Devoran where there is no weed. In areas like this because there’s fewer shrimps the bass tend to target the small mullet, so small fish imitations work well. Well done on your first fly caught bass.
Great video , myself and my mate are out on regular basis chasing Bass with the fly , fantastic feeling when you hook one . Great to see you try something new , perseverence is the key. Good luck. Noel from Ireland.
Thanks for the great videos. As a fly angler, about to holiday in Cornwall, I watched several, looking for hints on Bass fishing, good to see you giving this method a try, and congratulations on catching on your first go! My takeaway from this video is that local knowledge is vital...and I'd echo those who have suggested a sinking polyleader. Cheers...
Hi Rob, Nice work catching your first bass on the fly. It's a strange coincidence that you've just started because I just bought a saltwater set up mainly aimed at bass. I have fly fished before though but not really seriously. I'm trying to weigh up why SWFF, and what are the advantages over using a lure, the only thing that I can think of is being able to change the position of the fly at the flick of the rod tip, which is a really big factor when sight fishing or reading the water. To a lesser extent being able to fish in very skinny water with little disturbance also appeals, but my cumbersome casting probably negates that advantage at the moment, something you might want to invest in or make is a stripping basket, I bought a leeda volare for about £15 and added some home made prongs in the bottom to stop tangles, I found it useful as often I was standing on the line, or it got wrapped in weed or the swell grabbed the line. Another thing I also bought a fly tying kit for about £20, it included the vice and tools, all I've tied so far is Austin Goldsmiths baitfish fly, but its dead easy to tie and I've had 2 bass on it so far. I think this is something worth considering because shop bought flies cost quite a bit of money relatively speaking (quite a bit more than a soft plastic). I have started buying the fly tying materials and they are equally expensive, but after watching the Graeme Pullen on the totally awesome fishing show catching some exotics on a couple of swan feathers and some stick on eyes, I have got a few feathers now that I plan to make good use of. I'm really getting in to the tying element too. I think its good that you posted this video as most SWFF vids I've seen are by experienced anglers who seem to have forgotten what its like to start out in fly fishing, it has to be the most complex of all the fishing disciplines.
Well done Rob! Strangely few bait fish in our area so great to see you share a different fishing method to get us thinking! I'm just starting some mullet fishing with nymph like flys. What a fish they are to catch on light tackle! Every bit as good as the well sought after bone fish abroad! Tight lines!
John wilson was using a diving flies for stripped bass it was weighted and starts to dive when stationary it was very effective it was more like a sandeel though
Hi Rob, nice video. Except from the advice from other flyfishers concerning your tippet and double haul (double strip) I maybe have another usefull tip for you. Here in Holland, and also when fishing for seatrout in Danmark, we use a linebasket when we stay in the water. It keeps your fishing line close to you instead of going everywhere around you on the water. It makes casting much easier and cost only a pound or two if you make one yourself. And if you have problems casting your line far enough you could maybe try the Triangle Taper from Lee Wulff, they have them in floating, intermediate and sinking versions and they cast very well or a shooting head line (9 mtr). Succes with your flyfishing for seabass, I am sure you will have lots of fun catching them :-)
All fly fishing can be tough,river fly has its own challenges like getting a delicate presentation,getting over drag,casting under trees and over high banks,accuracy is needed and fly choice can be key.Then add wind to the mix
I use fluro for the leader 25 to 15lb. It turns them over well enough. Where it's windy letting the wind drift the fly with twitches can be productive. Just make sure the wind isn't pushing the fly onto your back during the cast. The leader join knot I use is a water knot. Make a loop with lines side by side. Pass the lines through the loop 3 times and tighten evenly with moisture. Congratulations on success btw. My first was about the same size too. Still a very satisfying catch. 😊
I find it tough going with a standard WF line and use more shooting heads. A lot easier on the shoulder joints. Some great Danish SeaTrout channels that helped me out here on TH-cam
Well done - as ever a very enjoyable vid. Im like you in that I bought the gear, tried it once but never went back. Its always at the back of my mind to take it up again and there are some nice marks close to me that would lend themselves to fly fishing. Must also tnks the guys below for tips and comments. Very interesting.
I only use tapered leaders if I need to turn over bigger flys, if you fish small flies then just put fluorocarbon straight on as your tip, to help with balance tie on a dropper with a bead half way down your leader with our main fly still at the end.
Knotless tapered is just an excuse to separate you from your money. You can find plenty of examples of straight mono or home tied leaders that work fine in salt.
I would get a knotless tapered leader, put a loop in that and add however many feet of level tippet of a lesser breaking strain. I fly fish almost exclusively these days and rarely have to replace a tapered leader. Also tying a loop in the tip of your fly line is bad (for turnover and your rod rings). Probably won't be a big deal with a cheap line and heavy setup but if you do invest, get some braided loops
Superb video !! lovely surroundings and as bonus a gem of a little Bass. Hope to see more fly fishing for Bass in the future on your channel. Greetings from a Bass flyfisherman from The Netherlands.
Hi, just watching your video, it's really good keep them up I think your the only person on TH-cam doing SWFF. Just a bit of friendly advice. You need to let your line straighten out on the back cast and false cast. This will allow you to load your rod better and provide more range & accuracy. With all fishing if you don't load your rod fully your cast won't go anywhere. You also said that other fly fishing isn't as difficult as SWFF by you would be surprised how tricky casting 15ft on a tiny river with a 3wt rod is, especially when you are surrounded by trees. But anyway. Thanks for the video it's epic.
Saltwater flyfishing = making a tough job (catching bass) even more difficult. Positively though when you get through thrashing the water to a foam, you can use that combo with a freshwater float to catch mackeral off the kayak 😁
Congratulatons on your first Bass on the fly, try leaving it a second longer when the flyline goes behind you before the forward cast, I always find it a bit better to slow the cast down a bit especially when at a longer distance and a heavier fly like a shrimp thanks again for sharing
Hows the fly fishing going? I fly fish all the time in the salt water and the surf. I wade out and treat the current like fly fishing any other current. Cool I like to see this
Ideally as you are right handed, have the wind coming over your left shoulder. Not only does it keep the fly away from your face, it also allows you to drift the fly.
I would do a nail knot to a perfection loop with about 4-6 inch extension. You need mono that when bent at the junction produces a fair curve, not a hinge on either side of the junction. Then do your loop to loop , but being all mono it will be very smooth. Again, you use a butt for the leader that is a smooth hinge free connection. You can taper down by reducing by 35% in diameter each section, which in this case is probably just one joint. A smoother connection is a blood knot with 3 turns on the fat and 5 turns on the thin. Loop to loop is also good. You can cast a lot further with a shooting head system, which is used by a lot of bass fishers. It can also be quite a cheap system. Nice to listen to your comments on your waters.
I was fishing the Fal from St Just Rob, the same day you posted this and there was a chap fishing further up who I thought was you (til I saw this video). Then I recognised the patch, so someone else me thinks. A chap on the camp site had also taken up fly fishing and i've sent him your way to watch your vids. My first rod was a split cane fly rod and reel that my dad gave me. Never used them. Well done for having a crack at it and catching too. Memorable moment for you me thinks. Passed you on our way home Friday too. Bump in to you next year on my Kernow travels.
Hi Steve. Thank you and yes I was pleased as a new learning curve for me. I will continue to do some fly fishing as it is a challenge and hope to get a few videos out each year. Hope you had a great time and I thought that was you on the road the giveaway being the kayaks on the roof. I will be starting to fish the Fal this month weather and time permitting then right through the autumn and winter months so hopefully, a few winter kayak videos. That is my favourite times to fish there.
Great video this puts you a cut above the rest it really dose iv always been intrested in salt water fly fishing since i saw john wilson doing in in america on tv and it looked so fun have u thorght about putting sum outriggers on your kayak so u can stand up a fly fish ? I guess if your starting out then take it slow practice makes perfect as they say keep the vids coming
How long is it going to be before you start making your own flies! I know nothing about saltwater fly fishing, but I've always been tempted with mackerel/bass off the fly from the kayak. This would also mean there would be no one behind me to get snagged by the erratic casts! Great video as ever, another string to your bow
Learn to double hall and your distance will double and more than that it will punch into the wind Until you have learn you will be frustrated even to the point of giving up
Brilliant video as always! I’m new to salt water fly fishing and have purchased the same rod as yours so would like to replace the line to weight forward as per your advice / other anglers advice. Is there any preference in brand etc as have seen some basic ones on Amazon which might do?
Learn how to double haul if you want fish flies in the salt, you're struggling , an intermediate salt water fly line would help you considerably as well, practice casting in a pond & good luck..
Please carry you're fly rod handle forward - the opening shots were making me wince! Sooner or later you will walk a tip into the ground. Don't bother with a tapered leader at that line weight - a level leader 8-12ld as long as you can handle in given conditions should be fine. It will also make life much easier walking under trees and through rocks etc. Try a deer hair muddler if you're struggling with weed - you can get it going in the surface like a popper. You really must fish a river for wild trout on dry fly with a three or four weight rod if you think it is easier than just launching a heavy line in a harbour - you will then be dealing with crosswinds and micro currents that will put drag into your fly as soon as it lands unless you really know what you are doing and making a cast under trees to a fish that is taking a few inches from the bank between an overhanging bramble and a bank of watercress this will test your skills! Very informative vid though - thanks very much.
Hi Rob, Funny enough i only took up Fly Fishing this summer and guess what i bought exactly the same airflo setup as yourself. What i did buy as an extra is an Airflo Casting Aid which really helps to restrict wrist movement. As yet i haven't done Saltwater Fishing with it yet but it's on the bucket list. I get my Flies from www.troutflies.co.uk Great Flies at a great price. Best As Always, Steve in Fife.
Don't sapose u have a link to the rod and reel. Ur useing. Currently fish for bass with soft and hard plastics but thinking of taking up fly fishing for bass.
Not a criticism but pause slightly on you back cast many as I have myself until I spoke to and old bloke on the riverbank that jokingly I am not sure he was so old he was maybe a ghost (jesting) he said I was using the rod like a whip and should watch the line go back and forward to try and make it one continues loop flowing gently and in time it would be like sixth sense where I would no longer to need to look back, I said to be honest I am thinking of giving up I can't catch anything, he looked at my gear and said there is nothing wrong with it and tied two fly's on and said do as I say cast over there, the fly hit the water and I got my first fish on the fly and turned around to say thanks and he was nowhere to be seen I swear down I caught a trout so quick he could not have run fast enough to get out of sight if he was Usain Bolt
Thank you and thank you to all that have given advice. I am glad I put this video out because as a beginner I have received some great advice from more experienced fly fishers, which has been taken on board. Already, I have some new line on order (shooting head) and intend to do away with a tapered leader which appeals to me as it is what I am used to in normal sea fishing.
A new Saltwater Fly Fishing video is out 23/08/19: Shore Saltwater Fly Fishing - Sea Bass on Sandeel Flies: th-cam.com/video/TxAFPQZhqyg/w-d-xo.html
Congrats on taking the plunge, I'm 59 and I also took the plunge this year and started to fly fish for trout. Never to old to rock☺☺☺ from ireland
Eileen Corcoran 🇮🇪🇮🇪
I do a fair bit of fly fishing, mainly from rock marks, I use a 8# (weight forward) sinking line, straight through 10lb fluorocarbon leader of about 8 Foot, and any white trout lure, cast out, allowing the lure to sink 8 to 10foot before retrieving, and have great success catching Pollock and Bass.
Rob,just a tip ,for the sort of fly fishing you are doing the tapered leader is totally unnecessary, a straight forward 8/9 /10 ft leader is all you need with breaking strain to suit, tapered leaders are for delicate presentation and roll over with nymphs and dry flys, all lure type fly are fished straight thru,you will also benefit with the weed problem being solved.I hope this helps ,from a fly fisherman of 50 something years.
Please see pinned comment at top of comments for a thank you.
I agree with Gerald. Also try to make a welded loop on your line, that big perfection loop puts too much weight at the end of your line and will hamper your casting. Congratulations with your first 'flying bass'
Hi, first of all, i enjoyed your video, its full of genuine emotion, not like some folks screaming and faking excitement.... the reason i am writing to you is just i want to give u a piece of advice, if i may..... Rod and line, all are ok, but how u assemble it all matters. i mean connection between your line and leader, its too bumpy... easiest way is braided loop connector... but i like to buy lines with welded loop... its smooth. in your case, just make one.... cut the tip of the line by the angle, fold it, super glue it and cover it with wraps of some thin tying thread....secure all with some wader repair glue or any knot glue and thats it... i am lazy so i secure it with superglue, which after couple of months cracks so i have to make another loop. knot glue for example Loon uv knot sense can protect your leader knots too and they will reduce snagging by the weed.
cheers
vladimir
I've watched this video twice now. After the first time, you inspired me to dig out a fly rod that I had somewhere in the garage. Just a really cheap all in set up that I bought from Walmart about 12 years ago. I took it with me a couple of weeks ago & managed to land a couple of small speckled sea trout. Since then I've ordered a 9wt 9' set up. Can't wait to get my hands on it & give it a try. Thanks for all your effort with the great work you post. Cheers Rob.
Great start Rob! As others have said, you don’t really need a tapered leader for this kind of fishing and a braided loop on you fly line will make everything much smoother. When you’re casting, just allow an extra moment on the back cast for the line to load up the rod. It’s the loaded bend in the rod that allows an easy smooth forward cast and will greatly reduce the number of false casts that you need to make.
Although I mostly fly fish for trout in the SW, I’ve fly fished from a small boat several times on the tidal Tamar and had plenty of mackerel, scad and bass. A large mackerel on a light fly rod can be a lot of fun. Keep up the good work!
Just one comment to say a BIG thank you to those of you with some experience that have taken the time to give me some good advice on saltwater fly fishing. I am just a beginner at this and any constructive advice from experienced fly anglers is very welcomed. This was my first attempt to catch a Bass on the fly although not my first attempt at saltwater fly-fishing this year 2018. I probably made a mistake by targeting Mullet first (Thin Lipped Mullet) with no success YET. However, it gave me a bit of casting practice in a very sheltered location (top of a creek) which was good. No doubt with more practice and experience things will improve and maybe a few more videos in the future.
Cornish Shore and Kayak Fisherman Just one small observation ,,when you are playing small fish their is no need to release the fly line you have trapped between your finger and the handle of the hod you just put more pressure on it so the fish can’t take line
Yeah, my right hand will lift the rod upwards with the line running through my finger. The left hand will pull the line down as your doing in the video. Very good to know how to do it like this is a fish is running towards you. You take up double the line and can do it very quickly.
If you are using a wet fly or weighted fly that sinks can you do so with floating line ? Im guessing it wil sink to the lengh of the mono leader then stop at the fly line or until u start stripping ? Im wandering about using sandeel imitation flies that sink but i dont know weather i need a sinking line ?
Hi Rob, you've had some really good constructive comments on this post which I fully agree with, certainly let your back cast straighten more with a positive stop of your rod approximately 1 o'clock position and you'll find your rod will 'load' more and that energy (with the correct timing) will be transferred into your forward cast. Take a look at the many videos on single & double haul techniques, you will increase your line speed and 'loading' of the rod which will help with the wind, particularly narrowing the loop in the forward cast when casting into wind. Also consider a line tray if you're not wading too deep, which prevents your line getting blown away from you and prevents the friction of the water limiting your final 'shooting' of the line. Great stuff Rob and look forward to more fluff chucking success. 😁🐟
Congrats on your first fly caught Bass. Always good to add another method to the arsenal. I had my first ever Sea Bass this year in a drop net intended for crab fishing with the Grandchildren. At about 5 inches long it wasn't a record breaker and I don't know who was most surprised, me or the fish. I had no idea there was Bass there so maybe next time I might try this method for one. Great film. Thanks for sharing.
I watched a video and you mentioned having sufficient line out to make a good cast - when you retrieved close in. A guide told me when fishing close in (stated trout will take right up to the bank) to start with a roll cast, then when the fly is in the air then turn it into your first false cast. This has the benefit of keeping the fly in the water longer and as your rod tip is back for a roll cast you have more line out.
Congratulations on your first fly-caught bass. Considering how short a time you have been casting you seem to be doing quite well, and your forward stop is distinct and well positioned. Your back cast is just as important however, and you need to work on smooth acceleration to a distinct stop here as well; your back casts were a little 'floppy', which will affect your forward cast, especially in wind.
The shrimp pattern with 'eyes' at both ends is a tropical pattern, and the one set of dumbbell eyes is there to allow the fly to 'stand' on a clean sand bottom (as found on Caribbean beaches) just as the naturals do. It is less suited to silty and weedy Cornish estuaries.
One piece of advice I would offer in retrieving such flies to induce a take from predatory fish, such as bass, would be to retrieve at a higher speed. Shrimp normally do not dart around at high speed, but when faced with predators they get more agitated, and a higher speed will provoke more takes from fish. Pauses are still recommended when fishing blind, but if you can see fish close by it can even be helpful to tuck your rod inside your elbow and use both hands to keep up a high retrieve speed.
Please see pinned comment at top of comments for a thank you.
Another good video. I've fly fished for years. Not read the comments but look in to a braided loop at the end of your fly line, as others have said don't bother with tapered leaders. I use 8lb or 10lb straight through. Also when trying to get some movement in the fly in the water, get the tip closer to the water. Around 13 mins when your rod is high the 'pull pull' movement is just absorbed in the slack line between the tip and the waters surface, and won't be transferred to the fly. Pretty hard at first to know where your fly is in the water...and as for the casting, yours looks great. With time wind won't phase you, youl be able to punch out a line in a decent head wind, or even back cast if it's a right to left breeze!
Great effort and congrats on tour first fly caught bass
Hi Rod, my tip is to keep practicing on the playing field (and when you're walking through bushes and trees etc carry the rod but first to avoid snapping it.) Yet another great video.
Hi Rob, well done for catching a fish on the fly. Just a couple of tips to pass on. I agree with the other comments about the simple straight through leader however you might want to think about learning to double haul later on as it is a useful technique for windy conditions, finger guards are also useful as they help to protect your fingers against the constant rubbing of the fly line and salt.
Respect 👍. I have often thought about but never brave enough to try. You may have given me a nudge, many thanks for another inspiring video.
Hi Rob, always enjoy your videos and I do quite a bit of flyfishing. I’ve found a floater with either a sinking poly leader helps get the fly down a bit. Another thing I do is to make up various lengths of differing densities of sinking line that go on the end of the floater ( loop to loop) personally I avoid weedy areas and concentrate further up the creeks like Devoran where there is no weed. In areas like this because there’s fewer shrimps the bass tend to target the small mullet, so small fish imitations work well.
Well done on your first fly caught bass.
Great video , myself and my mate are out on regular basis chasing Bass with the fly , fantastic feeling when you hook one .
Great to see you try something new , perseverence is the key.
Good luck.
Noel from Ireland.
Thanks for the great videos. As a fly angler, about to holiday in Cornwall, I watched several, looking for hints on Bass fishing, good to see you giving this method a try, and congratulations on catching on your first go! My takeaway from this video is that local knowledge is vital...and I'd echo those who have suggested a sinking polyleader. Cheers...
Hi Rob, Nice work catching your first bass on the fly. It's a strange coincidence that you've just started because I just bought a saltwater set up mainly aimed at bass. I have fly fished before though but not really seriously. I'm trying to weigh up why SWFF, and what are the advantages over using a lure, the only thing that I can think of is being able to change the position of the fly at the flick of the rod tip, which is a really big factor when sight fishing or reading the water. To a lesser extent being able to fish in very skinny water with little disturbance also appeals, but my cumbersome casting probably negates that advantage at the moment, something you might want to invest in or make is a stripping basket, I bought a leeda volare for about £15 and added some home made prongs in the bottom to stop tangles, I found it useful as often I was standing on the line, or it got wrapped in weed or the swell grabbed the line. Another thing I also bought a fly tying kit for about £20, it included the vice and tools, all I've tied so far is Austin Goldsmiths baitfish fly, but its dead easy to tie and I've had 2 bass on it so far. I think this is something worth considering because shop bought flies cost quite a bit of money relatively speaking (quite a bit more than a soft plastic). I have started buying the fly tying materials and they are equally expensive, but after watching the Graeme Pullen on the totally awesome fishing show catching some exotics on a couple of swan feathers and some stick on eyes, I have got a few feathers now that I plan to make good use of. I'm really getting in to the tying element too. I think its good that you posted this video as most SWFF vids I've seen are by experienced anglers who seem to have forgotten what its like to start out in fly fishing, it has to be the most complex of all the fishing disciplines.
Well done Rob! Strangely few bait fish in our area so great to see you share a different fishing method to get us thinking! I'm just starting some mullet fishing with nymph like flys. What a fish they are to catch on light tackle! Every bit as good as the well sought after bone fish abroad! Tight lines!
Don't give up on the adventures Nigel. Your friend from Texas.
Great film well done it's not easy fly fishing I have been fly fishing recently for pike it's amazing sport
John wilson was using a diving flies for stripped bass it was weighted and starts to dive when stationary it was very effective it was more like a sandeel though
amazing video getting my first rod on Thursday and thanks to you I know quite a lot
Hey it might be difficult,but you set yourself a task,and caught that Bass!!! Brilliant well done.👍
Hi Rob, nice video. Except from the advice from other flyfishers concerning your tippet and double haul (double strip) I maybe have another usefull tip for you. Here in Holland, and also when fishing for seatrout in Danmark, we use a linebasket when we stay in the water. It keeps your fishing line close to you instead of going everywhere around you on the water. It makes casting much easier and cost only a pound or two if you make one yourself. And if you have problems casting your line far enough you could maybe try the Triangle Taper from Lee Wulff, they have them in floating, intermediate and sinking versions and they cast very well or a shooting head line (9 mtr).
Succes with your flyfishing for seabass, I am sure you will have lots of fun catching them :-)
Well done, same kit I have, but you've already had more luck than me. I've also tried after Garfish from the kayak too.
Love fly fishing, my favourite style, an art form.
Always impressed by your knowledge and skill. Thanks for sharing!
All fly fishing can be tough,river fly has its own challenges like getting a delicate presentation,getting over drag,casting under trees and over high banks,accuracy is needed and fly choice can be key.Then add wind to the mix
Been fly fishing and tying for years for Trout. you are doing really well.keep at it and tight lines :)
Well done. Try catching few mackerel, they give you some fun, I just use a standard , foil mac feather, with a aaa split shot above hook eye.
Absolutely brilliant and well done 👍, loved that.
Well done rob. I fly fish for trout but as yet have to try salt water fly fishing. Well done again.
I use fluro for the leader 25 to 15lb. It turns them over well enough. Where it's windy letting the wind drift the fly with twitches can be productive. Just make sure the wind isn't pushing the fly onto your back during the cast. The leader join knot I use is a water knot. Make a loop with lines side by side. Pass the lines through the loop 3 times and tighten evenly with moisture. Congratulations on success btw. My first was about the same size too. Still a very satisfying catch. 😊
Thank you and for the information.
"Homer Shrimpton". The perfect flat delivery.
You noticed that slight senior moment error. I was thinking of Jean Shrimpton at the time.
I find it tough going with a standard WF line and use more shooting heads. A lot easier on the shoulder joints. Some great Danish SeaTrout channels that helped me out here on TH-cam
Please see pinned comment at top of comments for a thank you.
Well done - as ever a very enjoyable vid. Im like you in that I bought the gear, tried it once but never went back. Its always at the back of my mind to take it up again and there are some nice marks close to me that would lend themselves to fly fishing. Must also tnks the guys below for tips and comments. Very interesting.
Well it looked like a pro was fishing the fly good'un Rob.
Very nice rob I've wanted to do that for awhile looks great well done
I only use tapered leaders if I need to turn over bigger flys, if you fish small flies then just put fluorocarbon straight on as your tip, to help with balance tie on a dropper with a bead half way down your leader with our main fly still at the end.
Knotless tapered is just an excuse to separate you from your money. You can find plenty of examples of straight mono or home tied leaders that work fine in salt.
I would get a knotless tapered leader, put a loop in that and add however many feet of level tippet of a lesser breaking strain. I fly fish almost exclusively these days and rarely have to replace a tapered leader. Also tying a loop in the tip of your fly line is bad (for turnover and your rod rings). Probably won't be a big deal with a cheap line and heavy setup but if you do invest, get some braided loops
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Beautiful Video Congrats!
I also Love *Fishing.* 🎣🐟🐠
HUG!👍😎
Love your channel. It is great that you will give something new a try. Good work please keep it up
What a great video,and the commentary just tops it all off.
Thank you.
Superb video !! lovely surroundings and as bonus a gem of a little Bass. Hope to see more fly fishing for Bass in the future on your channel. Greetings from a Bass flyfisherman from The Netherlands.
Thank you for your comment. Yes, the plan is for more fly fishing videos this season.
Hi, just watching your video, it's really good keep them up I think your the only person on TH-cam doing SWFF. Just a bit of friendly advice. You need to let your line straighten out on the back cast and false cast. This will allow you to load your rod better and provide more range & accuracy. With all fishing if you don't load your rod fully your cast won't go anywhere.
You also said that other fly fishing isn't as difficult as SWFF by you would be surprised how tricky casting 15ft on a tiny river with a 3wt rod is, especially when you are surrounded by trees.
But anyway. Thanks for the video it's epic.
Saltwater flyfishing = making a tough job (catching bass) even more difficult. Positively though when you get through thrashing the water to a foam, you can use that combo with a freshwater float to catch mackeral off the kayak 😁
Congratulatons on your first Bass on the fly, try leaving it a second longer when the flyline goes behind you before the forward cast, I always find it a bit better to slow the cast down a bit especially when at a longer distance and a heavier fly like a shrimp thanks again for sharing
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Hows the fly fishing going? I fly fish all the time in the salt water and the surf. I wade out and treat the current like fly fishing any other current. Cool I like to see this
Thank you for asking. Hoping to put out more fly fishing videos in the next couple of months as a follow on from last year.
Ideally as you are right handed, have the wind coming over your left shoulder. Not only does it keep the fly away from your face, it also allows you to drift the fly.
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Great video thanks. You do very good sea angling videos. Thanks
Great video stick with fly fishing it's very rewarding when you start tying your own flies and catching them
Excellent , well thought video . Well done and thank you... you've inspired me to get out there and try the fly method!
Thank you for your comment.
Well done sir, must give it a go my self.
I would do a nail knot to a perfection loop with about 4-6 inch extension. You need mono that when bent at the junction produces a fair curve, not a hinge on either side of the junction.
Then do your loop to loop , but being all mono it will be very smooth. Again, you use a butt for the leader that is a smooth hinge free connection. You can taper down by reducing by 35% in diameter each section, which in this case is probably just one joint. A smoother connection is a blood knot with 3 turns on the fat and 5 turns on the thin. Loop to loop is also good.
You can cast a lot further with a shooting head system, which is used by a lot of bass fishers. It can also be quite a cheap system.
Nice to listen to your comments on your waters.
I was fishing the Fal from St Just Rob, the same day you posted this and there was a chap fishing further up who I thought was you (til I saw this video). Then I recognised the patch, so someone else me thinks.
A chap on the camp site had also taken up fly fishing and i've sent him your way to watch your vids. My first rod was a split cane fly rod and reel that my dad gave me. Never used them. Well done for having a crack at it and catching too. Memorable moment for you me thinks. Passed you on our way home Friday too. Bump in to you next year on my Kernow travels.
Hi Steve. Thank you and yes I was pleased as a new learning curve for me. I will continue to do some fly fishing as it is a challenge and hope to get a few videos out each year. Hope you had a great time and I thought that was you on the road the giveaway being the kayaks on the roof. I will be starting to fish the Fal this month weather and time permitting then right through the autumn and winter months so hopefully, a few winter kayak videos. That is my favourite times to fish there.
Great video this puts you a cut above the rest it really dose iv always been intrested in salt water fly fishing since i saw john wilson doing in in america on tv and it looked so fun have u thorght about putting sum outriggers on your kayak so u can stand up a fly fish ? I guess if your starting out then take it slow practice makes perfect as they say keep the vids coming
Thank you. The plan is to try some kayak fly fishing as well sometime in the future.
Try chartreuse crease flies , just pop them really slowly had loads of bass with them from the kayak
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How long is it going to be before you start making your own flies! I know nothing about saltwater fly fishing, but I've always been tempted with mackerel/bass off the fly from the kayak. This would also mean there would be no one behind me to get snagged by the erratic casts! Great video as ever, another string to your bow
Thank you again for this
Learn to double hall and your distance will double and more than that it will punch into the wind Until you have learn you will be frustrated even to the point of giving up
Brilliant video as always!
I’m new to salt water fly fishing and have purchased the same rod as yours so would like to replace the line to weight forward as per your advice / other anglers advice. Is there any preference in brand etc as have seen some basic ones on Amazon which might do?
Wondering if you could just throw a drop of UV resin over the knots so they’re smooth.
I reckon that might work, especially if you use the flexi stuff
Learn how to double haul if you want fish flies in the salt, you're struggling , an intermediate salt water fly line would help you considerably as well, practice casting in a pond & good luck..
nice video, i also like fishing
Nice video m8
Ps.mackerel on a fly rod. Try it
Please carry you're fly rod handle forward - the opening shots were making me wince! Sooner or later you will walk a tip into the ground. Don't bother with a tapered leader at that line weight - a level leader 8-12ld as long as you can handle in given conditions should be fine. It will also make life much easier walking under trees and through rocks etc. Try a deer hair muddler if you're struggling with weed - you can get it going in the surface like a popper. You really must fish a river for wild trout on dry fly with a three or four weight rod if you think it is easier than just launching a heavy line in a harbour - you will then be dealing with crosswinds and micro currents that will put drag into your fly as soon as it lands unless you really know what you are doing and making a cast under trees to a fish that is taking a few inches from the bank between an overhanging bramble and a bank of watercress this will test your skills! Very informative vid though - thanks very much.
Thank you.
nicely done , I have never fly fished but it looks interesting.
well done
Hope you stick with it. It is easier with better gear.. Very addictive
Try a rod with a stiffer action. You'll find it will give you more distance.
Thank you for your suggestion.
Hi Rob,
Funny enough i only took up Fly Fishing this summer and guess what i bought exactly the same airflo setup as yourself. What i did buy as an extra is an Airflo Casting Aid which really helps to restrict wrist movement.
As yet i haven't done Saltwater Fishing with it yet but it's on the bucket list.
I get my Flies from www.troutflies.co.uk
Great Flies at a great price.
Best As Always,
Steve in Fife.
Hi Steve. Please see pinned comment at top of comments for a thank you and good luck when you try saltwater fly fishing.
Once you learn how to double haul you will be able to get that fly out 70 80 feet no problem stick with it
is that mylor?
Don't sapose u have a link to the rod and reel. Ur useing. Currently fish for bass with soft and hard plastics but thinking of taking up fly fishing for bass.
Airflo Fly Fishing Kit.
Funny enough I got the same & did the same thing last year! Good rod for the money but learning to cast the dam thing takes time but soooo rewarding
Hreat video. Like and sub
You have to have a tapered leader to be able to cast flies
👏👏👍👍
Not a criticism but pause slightly on you back cast many as I have myself until I spoke to and old bloke on the riverbank that jokingly I am not sure he was so old he was maybe a ghost (jesting) he said I was using the rod like a whip and should watch the line go back and forward to try and make it one continues loop flowing gently and in time it would be like sixth sense where I would no longer to need to look back, I said to be honest I am thinking of giving up I can't catch anything, he looked at my gear and said there is nothing wrong with it and tied two fly's on and said do as I say cast over there, the fly hit the water and I got my first fish on the fly and turned around to say thanks and he was nowhere to be seen I swear down I caught a trout so quick he could not have run fast enough to get out of sight if he was Usain Bolt
Thank you and thank you to all that have given advice. I am glad I put this video out because as a beginner I have received some great advice from more experienced fly fishers, which has been taken on board. Already, I have some new line on order (shooting head) and intend to do away with a tapered leader which appeals to me as it is what I am used to in normal sea fishing.