Bass can be some of the most rewarding, exciting, and underrated aspects of fly fishing. The largemouth bass is one of the most abundant fish species in North America, making them available to many anglers. With their tolerance of low oxygen levels and heat, bass can survive in almost any sort of aquatic environment. Their predatory instinct enables them to eat many prey species like fish, bugs, and even amphibians. Fly anglers around the world target these fish for their fight and willingness to eat a topwater fly. However, those opportunities aren’t always presented, and that is when having the right flies is key.
Living in central Texas, bass fishing has become a staple in my fly fishing excursions. To maximize my time on the water, I have learned what flies to throw at different times of the year. In the spring and summer months, bass tend to be more active, along with their topwater prey like frogs, grasshoppers, and even mice. These are the long-awaited times when throwing a topwater fly can be your best choice.
Come fall and winter, bass tend to move towards deeper water, which makes it difficult to target them with just topwater flies. In these scenarios, many streamers and weighted flies come into play when trying to find them. During this time, bass key in on specific forage, so matching the hatch is a must. To put more fish in the net, we’ve put together a list of our five best flies for largemouth bass that cover you through all seasons and conditions.
5 Flies for Largemouth Bass
Frog Fly
Fulling Mill Bass Popper
Pros
- Great pattern in the early spring/summer months when bass are looking at prey on the surface
- Floating fly, which enables you to pull over weeds, lily pads, and structure
- Easy to tie and is very effective with a dropper fly
Cons
- Can spook wary fish
- Not ideal for fall/winter months when bass are in deeper water
Every angler dreams of a big bass exploding at the surface to hit a fly. Like conventional frog lures, topwater frog flies are incredibly effective at fooling these aggressive predators. Frog flies can be constructed out of deer hair or foam for a multitude of actions and scenarios. They are equally effective on rivers, lakes, and ponds and do an outstanding job of imitating amphibians and bugs that travel across the surface of the water. Simply cast them out in areas where bass are holding and work it back with quick twitches for a subtle popping motion. This surface commotion is irresistible for bass looking for an easy meal, especially in the warmer months.
Kreelex
Kreelex
Pros
- Sinks fast for deeper water fishing
- Due to the flashy material, it is easily seen in semi-turbid conditions,
- Easy to tie
Cons
- This fly can be easily trapped in vegetation, rocks, and branches
The kreelex is a pattern I tend to use in the winter months on my home waters here in central Texas. It mirrors the style of a Clouser minnow but is tied with flash for the entirety of the fly. As a result, it shimmers when stripped and sinks fast. This pattern makes a great minnow/shad imitation when fish are deeper and looking for schools of bait fish. Strip it, crawl it, or simply let it sit on the bottom for a versatile and effective pattern. It is most effectively fished on a semi-sinking or full-sinking fly line.
Galloup’s Belly Bumper Craw
Pros
- Effective pattern in rivers with fluctuating depth
- Drags near or on the bottom, imitating a crawfish
- Many retrieve methods
Cons
- Fished on primarily sinking line
- Heavier fly, harder to cast
Kelly Galloup is synonymous with streamer fishing. He’s developed iconic flies like the peanut envy, sex dungeon, and the butt monkey. Among his fly patterns is a crayfish pattern that may not get the recognition it deserves: The belly bumper craw. Bass have an affinity for crawfish, making up a majority of their diet at certain times of the year. This crawfish pattern is ideal for river systems and small bodies of water alike. It does an outstanding job of imitating a living crawfish moving through the water towards the bottom. When retrieved fast, the claws on the fly create tons of movement, which entices bass to take a nibble. For the best results, pair this fly with a sinking line to reach the bottom, where crawfish are found.
Game Changer
Game Changer
Pros
- One of the best swimming shad imitations available
- Articulated tail, which provides maximum movement when stripped in
- Draws out larger fish, looking for a larger meal
Cons
- Sink rate is typically slower
- Holds water when casting
Blane Chocklett developed the game changer as a lifelike imitation of bait fish. It matches the profile and swims like the real thing. Since its inception, several variations have hit the market, each offering its own pros and cons. The original game changer still has its place, especially for bass anglers looking to draw a big bite.
The white version of the game changer is an excellent shad imitation. Bass tend to chase shad when they spawn in rivers and in larger lakes. When they are in a feeding frenzy, this fly is ideal for tossing in big schools of baitfish. I have had tremendous success with this pattern on larger lakes for big bass.
Clouser Minnow
Clouser Minnow
Pros
- Skinny minnow pattern, imitating all the species of baitfish in one fly
- Effective for rivers and smaller ponds
- Easy to cast and easy to tie
Cons
- Easily trapped on structure and vegetation
The Clouser Minnow has been around since 1987 and has been one of the most popular flies in the industry for all species of fish, salt and freshwater. This fly uses bucktail and a bit of flash to imitate the subtle minnows flashing through our river systems and lakes. It was originally invented for smallmouth but has been known to be effective for almost every fish species that feeds on smaller minnows. In my experience, the clouser has done well in transitional zones like sandbars, rockbeds, and rocky drop-offs. It is at the top of my most used guide flies and has caught many bass in my years of fly fishing.
Final Thoughts
Largemouth bass are synonymous with fishing in the US. They fight hard, readily eat, and are found just about everywhere. These top five bass flies are by no means an extensive list, but in my experience, they mimic the major food sources and cover all seasons. With the variety of water covered, time of year, and specific patterns, these bugs will effectively match the hatch on your water bodies. So grab your 8-wt, hit the water, and tie on one of these bass flies to put more fish in the net this fall.
