Fly Rod DragonFly Fishing

Monster Bass on the 5-weight Fly Rod DragonFly


In the Dog Days of summer in Central Florida a change occurs to the feeding behavior of largemouth bass. The water temperatures get too high, and the bass metabolisms rise too high, burning up too much energy to expend much effort at getting a meal. So, bass need a new strategy to get their nutrition more efficiently. They can no longer afford to jump for joy, trying to snatch dragonflies from mid air 2 feet over the water surface, or try to outsmart intelligent bluegills that watch their every move and eye roll, which is a loser’s game without some unexpected advantage. At this time of year, the bass cannot afford to violate the law of energy gained versus energy expended. I think everyone has experienced that big strike and listless fight from a large bass that has become emaciated during the summer heat. That fish has become threatened for survival by bad decisions or has an inability to compete for a strategic feeding position, during the most difficult time of the year. Grassy shoreline edges that border very deep water allow bass to quicky access possible food items that tumble onto the water surface, and return to the comfortable depths, spending a minimum of risky time and energy near the overly warm and dangerous surface waters.

The unexpected advantage: dragonFly down--- distracted bluegills at the surface along the grass line next to the deeper water, messng with the downed DragonFly. Big healthy fat bass rise up effortlessly at major feed periods to inspect the distracted bluegills and the tiny but tasty dragonfly. The bluegills panic---- what will the bass do ? The bsss have two easy choices. Eat the small group of distracted bluegills pecking at the dragonfly, or eat the weak, struggling dragonfly. It works all summer but late summer I go to the fly rod. Why ?

Fly Rod Eel Fishing
Capt. Ken was not doing much on topwater lures in early winter in central Florida on a cloudy day with cooler temperatures and cooling water. A few rain showers were also coming through. Although the fish were not active, he knew from experience that it was still a potential monster bass day. So, he decided to fish something soft and subsurface that a monster bass might not be able to resist if he could put it right in front of a big one at just the right time and place. So he chose a weighted fly rod Eel imitation that he designed for fishing spring water creeks that was very effective in very clear water similar to the lake he was currently fishing. He had barely gotten his fly line stretched out enough to get the curls removed for efficient casting and made a few practice casts before hitting the target spot. Then, a very beefy built 25 inch monster bass really gave a good stretch to his fly line.

Monster Bass on Fly Rod Eel- Probably a Spawning Bass 3/13/2023

See more about the Fly Rod Eel that changes everything for fly fishing when the Bass are not hitting on the surface.
Fly Rod Micro FROG
You can cast the Micro FROG on 6-25 lb. braid on a Spinning Rod as well as the Fly Rod.
You can see many examples for sale on www.noflyrodneeded.com

Monster Bass on the FLY ROD with the Micro FROG

Captain Ken demonstrates that the Micro FROG is not just for spinning rods with 6- 20lb braid line. It is also very deadly on a fly rod. He often fishes it with 5- 8 weight fly rods. In this video, Capt Ken ties on the Micro FROG after a day of successful fishing with Mayfly Nymphs. A big cloud blocks the late day sun, creating an early start to the evening opportunity to catch a big bass on the Micro FROG. The very still, calm, quiet water surface requires a stealthy approach and a light presentation. A larger full size FROG would probably spook a cautious big bass, but a light small FROG would be noticed very easily, and a FROG of any size is always of interest to a big bass. Watch Capt Ken catch this 26 inch, fat Monster Bass on a Light Green Southern Leopard Micro FROG and Fly Rod. Learn more about Capt. Ken’s Critters and custom fishing lures & flies at:

www.floridakayakfishing.com

www.noflyrodneeded.com

www.bass-frog.com

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