One of the most effective ways to catch sunfish is by fly fishing. You don’t necessarily have to know much about fly fishing to have a blast fishing for sunfish on the fly. Fly fishing for trout is often difficult because trout sometimes get very particular about what they eat, so you have to spend a lot of time studying the insect life on the stream you fish, or get very friendly with your local fly guy. However, sunfish are not as smart as trout, or they just aren’t as picky, so, you can pretty much throw anything in the water that they can fit their mouths around and they will eat it.
One of the most exciting methods for catching bluegill on the fly is to get a fly that floats, sometimes called a dry fly, and watch the fish suck it in of the surface of the water. Sunfish love to suck in unsuspecting insects on the surface of the water. And they will go nuts for whatever dry fly you choose. Interestingly, sunfish schools don’t spook very easily, so targeting schools of fish works quite well. Catch one out of the school, and the others don’t really care, and will stick around.
You don’t need to buy expensive fly fishing gear to catch sunfish on flies. In fact, fly fishing for sunfish is probably less expensive than regular fishing for sunfish. Why? Well because a fly reel is pretty maintenance free as compared to conventional fishing reels, the line almost never needs to be replaced, and it is pretty difficult to lose a fly to a big sunfish. So, in the long run you save tons of money fly fishing for sunfish as compared to traditional methods.
By: Scott R
Posts Tagged ‘Insects’
Sunfish Fishing – Fly Fishing For Them Is Tons Of Fun
February 4th, 2010Fly Fishing Basics – Learning to Fish
February 4th, 2010
Are you an avid fisherman who is interested in learning more about fly fishing? Fly fishing looks significantly different from regular bait or lure fishing. However, if you learn a few fly fishing basics you can be on your way toward enjoying your fishing experience even more.
Flies
Fly fishing utilizes artificial flies that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line. Artificial flies come in all different types, nearly any size, weight, color you could want. Many fly fishermen actually tie their own flies. These artificial flies are tied using materials such as fur, hair, feathers, and other materials. The fly is tied onto a hook. The hook will vary in size depending on the type of fish you are trying to catch. The goal is to try and match the fly to those insects that are native to the area that you are fishing.
Fly Line
The fly line is coated in plastic and has enough weight to get the fly to its destination but still gently lay the fly on the water.
Casting Method
One of the key fly fishing basics to know is how to cast. In fly fishing, the goal is to cast the line rather than the lure. Lure and bait fishing methods rely on the weight of the lure or weights on the line to make an effective cast. Artificial flies are too light to be cast. To cast a fly fishing pole, the fisherman holds the rod and sways the rod back and forth, unreeling the line in the process. The proper movements are commonly described as 10 to 2. Think of the fisherman being in the middle of a big clock. 12 would be holding the rod straight up, 9 would be flat backward, and 3 would be flat forward. So 10 and 2 would be approximately 45 degrees in front and back. The casting process should be rhythmic. Improper casting will lead to tangled lines. It can take several hours practicing before one can master flycasting.
Using Waders for Cold Water Fishing
Another one of fly fishing basics is the use of waders. Cold water flyfishers use boots that reach up to the fisher’s chest, these are known as waders. The purpose of waders is to wade into the water so that the fisherman can wade into the water farther and effectively cast their line to where the fish are located.
Types of Fish to Catch When Flyfishing
A wide variety of fish can be caught when flyfishing. Some examples of fish that can be caught with a flyrod are trout, salmon, pike, bass, panfish, and carp.
Get Help
If you want to learn more about fly fishing basics you can get more information at your local fisherman’s shop. Also, you can hire an expert to teach you how to perfect your cast and how to tie your own flies.
By: Wendy Pan
Some Facts About Largemouth Bass Fishing
December 11th, 2009
To be a successful largemouth bass fisherman, you need to know a little about the type of fish that you are fishing for. You can tell a largemouth bass by the distinctive jagged edged stripes on either side of the fish created by a series of dark spots. The largemouth bass can also be all black in color. Another distinctive characteristic of the largemouth bass is that the upper jaw reaches past the back of the eye.
The diet of the largemouth bass changes throughout its lifespan. Filling up on plankton and insects as young juvenile fish, as it gets older it moves to smaller fish and then eventually birds and small mammals such as rats and mice in adulthood. Using sight, smell and hearing senses, they seize their prey under the cover of brush, grass or drop offs. The main sense that the largemouth bass uses is his sight.
Some of the best largemouth bass fishing can probably done in spawning beds. In shallow waters with average temperatures between 64 and 74 degrees such as small lakes and ponds are where the largemouth bass spawn. Inside the shallow depressions made by the male bass, up to one million eggs can be laid by the female during a single spawning season. Once the female lays the eggs, it is the male who turns unwanted predators away while guarding the eggs.
One of the most exciting things about fishing for the largemouth bass is the fight that is put up when it is hooked. The tug and pull of a largemouth will make anyone’s heart beat faster with the excitement. Some techniques used for largemouth bass fishing are doodling, flipping and pitching. When casting your line it is crucial that you are accurate. The different types of casting are overhand, underhand and sidearm. Some of the casting tips that you can use are as follows:
Before casting, lower the lure just below the tip of the rod. This allows for momentum. If possible try to land your lure on the water with as little noise as possible. Cast just beyond your target. When casting remember to use your wrist.
There are actually two types of artificial baits used for largemouth bass fishing, soft plastic baits and hard baits. The types of soft plastic baits include tube baits, plastic worms, grubs and soft jerk baits. The types of hard baits that are used are crank baits, swimming spoons, spinner baits, jigging spoons, jigs and vibrating lures.
It is common practice among anglers to release largemouth bass alive. Largemouth bass respond well to catch and release because of their hardiness, and the ability of their large mouth to withstand repeated hook injuries without compromising their ability to feed or causing damage to their gills. There are many methods and options in largemouth bass fishing. This is just a small insight into a much larger world. Thousands of people enjoy fishing for largemouth bass. It is a fun hobby that is perfect for the single fisherman or the whole family.
By: W Scott
