Carp are a tough fish to catch, especially on a fly rod. They can be wary, picky, and spooky. That being said, they’re tons of fun to catch and can provide the angler with some of the best sight fishing available in freshwater. If you’re a Carp enthusiast or just looking for insider info, read on to find out how to increases your chances of success when Carp fishing.
Every fall, anglers travel from around the globe to visit the marshes of Louisiana. While Redfish can be found elsewhere, Louisiana is known for prolific numbers of fish in a pretty epic size class. If you’re fanatical about saltwater fly fishing you’ve probably heard New Orleans called ‘the Redfish capital of the world’. Read on to find our which fly reel increases your chances of success when targeting these heavy-shouldered predators.
Musky are mean. They’re large, finicky fish that will eat anything one day and refuse the most well-presented fly the next. These fish have gained popularity in contemporary fly fishing in part due to the big-bug craze and in part due to social media. Who doesn’t want a picture with a 40+ inch predatory giant? Like choosing a reel for other species, there are a lot of options. This article will help you sort through the choices to help determine exactly what you need in a Musky fly reel and which features may be extraneous.
If you’re new to Carp fishing, you’re probably wondering what the best tools are for targeting these fish. If you’re looking for fly rod advice, we’ve covered that already. In that post, we touched on features of a fly reel that are beneficial when Carp fishing, too. This post is going to expand on the brief info about fly reels provided in that article to help you build a more well-rounded rod/reel setup for Carp.
The Striped Bass has long been an attention-grabbing gamefish. Maybe you’ve seen pictures on the internet or social media. Maybe you’ve hooked and lost a giant. The allure of Striper fishing hinges, partially, on the opportunity at a 50lb fish. But there are fish for everyone which makes Striper fishing attractive, too. Whether you’re trophy-chasing or numbers-crazy, it’s a migration that holds opportunity for novice and expert anglers alike. Sure, you can pick your days and work around the weather. If you’re serious about fly fishing for Stripers, however, a long season can wear down equipment, even if you only fish in the bright sun. Choosing the right equipment can increase chances of success and can also make replacing important gear a non-yearly tradition. Read on to find out which fly reels are the best.
Fly fishing for Pike means big gear. These fish are large, strong, and aggressive. They eat big flies, often require sinking lines, and don’t turn over and come to the boat easily. That means a strong reel is a must. And a reel that picks up line quickly, has enough drag to stop a charging fish, and one that accommodates heavy sinking lines add to the angler’s chance of success. Here, we cover the must-haves for a Pike fly reel and how to choose the best one.
Fish will see this fly from a mile away… I promise. The Midnight Mullet combines bright flash and catchy colors to draw in the big-mouthed predators. Seriously, this fly is made to be fished aggressively and to trigger some hardcore strikes. Snook and Tarpon charge at the Midnight Mullet Streamer because of its visible lateral line, striking profile, and eye-catching aesthetics. If you’re a serious warmwater saltwater angler this pattern gets the job done when nothing else can. Learn how to tie it right now as Jared gives step-by-step instructions.
The EP Baitfish is an insanely versatile minnow pattern. This fly can be used in freshwater and in saltwater, for Bass, Pike, Stripers, Tarpon, and just about any predatory fish that swims. The pattern is easy to tie because it’s repetitive and uses only a few materials. The EP Baitfish can also be tied in a variety of color schemes to imitate just about any kind of bait. If you’re a streamer angler and you prefer targeting predatory fish, keep a few of these in your box for the next time you’re out on the water.
Steelhead season is here. Well, almost. It’s definitely time to start thinking about long, fishless days and fooling the fish of a thousand casts. Bright chrome, screaming runs, acrobatic jumps. It’s all within reach. Steelhead are difficult to catch and require persistence, dedication, and skill, however. They’re not for the faint of heart. When you finally hook one, the right gear will improve your chances of landing it. Read on to find out how choosing the right fly reel affects your chances.
The Borski Slider was originally invented for Bonefish but has quickly morphed into a fly that’s well-known for its ability to fool picky redfish. Thi baitfish imitation works well in shallow water marshes and sandy flats when targeting fish with a large appetite. The fly is relatively easy to tie, especially the back half, but does involve spinning some Deer Hair. The Deer Hair acts as a natural weed guard on the hook and makes it an even better pattern for areas with grassy bottoms. If you’re headed to the southeastern US this winter to chase Redfish (like we are), don’t go without a few of these flies.
