Here are some tips to start or improve your fishing skills in this exciting and adrenaline-filled sport!
The rod: the most important tool for this very technical fishing
The most important thing in this type of fishing, which requires great speed and precision, is the choice of the rod. It is the rod that will propel your fly on your "target": a moving or static bass in very little water.
In this type of fishing, we do not look for distance, unlike streamer fishing from the shore or from a boat, but above all for precision and speed of execution.
It's a pretty personal choice, especially when it comes to brand. In terms of action, a beginner will have to choose a rod that loads easily while maintaining a fast enough action to cast accurately. A rod that is medium fast will be the most appropriate.
For the advanced or expert angler, a fast to very fast rod is more often used. It allows you to respond immediately to your request and to send your imitation quickly and accurately in the area where you want it.
Personally, I often use the SAGE Salt HD rod in 9 foot 8 line. It is light, very fast and wonderfully accurate. The 8 power allows me to restrain big bass when they want to go in obstacles or to shorten the fight.
The SAGE Maverick is also very nice for this fishery, but not as fast. I use it for casting heavier or larger flies, but mostly for streamers and surface flies.
A reliable and robust reel
Your reel will be used in a marine environment, corrosive, and often in estuary thus on sandy and muddy zones which are the worst enemies of the reels.
In addition, a good drag allows you to tire out a fish more quickly, or even stop and counteract it in case of obstacles (oyster park, rock, rope,âeuros¦).
I use the SAGE Spectrum C reel in size 7/8 which is both light, powerful with a progressive drag and waterproof. It also allows you to store a good amount of backing, but this is not of great importance for bass fishing unlike bonefish fishing for example, knowing that this reel will allow you to do both.
An extra reel with an intermediate line is a good option and allows you to change your fishing during the trip.
Choose your silk
The line is another very important element, because it is the one that will load your rod and allow you to be able to cast where you want. A bad line on a good rod does not give a good performance.
It is absolutely necessary to choose a sea model, with a neutral color and in no case flashy, with a good glide and a profile or adapted spindle.
I have been using Rio lines for many years and the Rio Striper line (for striped bass) is excellent for all my bass fishing. Whether it's sight fishing with a WF8F, or streamer fishing with the intermediate (WF8I) and diving models.
Since last year, Rio silks have a unique Slick cast coating called "premier" which provides an outstanding glide. The reduction of friction allows for greater comfort and distance.
At the end of my line, I use Rio Striper leaders in 7 feet and 12 lbs tip, to which I hook a micro ring of 2 mm, then a tip of 1.5 to 2 meters in 8 or 6 lbs fluorocarbon from YGK.
For sight fishing, I mainly use crab imitations, but also small shrimps, and some small fish. The sea bass feeds on many preys which can change during the season, but especially on green crabs.
Many stores sell flies like this. Personally, I assemble them myself to fit my needs. Creating your own patterns and finding new ideas every year is always a great satisfaction.
