It’s the season for Fly Fishing with Bass Poppers, that’s what my aquatic friends residing in the Moose Knuckle Proving Grounds casting pond told me today. The Bass have been spawning for quite a few weeks; in fact, it is nearing the end of the spawn now. The water is a pleasant 75 degrees, pulling into optimum range for Largemouth Bass Activity. Furthermore, the weather is changing and a storm is about to blow in for the evening.
Tactic
Bass are a very aggressive species. The old bucket mouth will strike anything that looks, feels or sounds like food. While a Trout is consumed with fear of expending energy to catch quarry that is not food, a Bass is overwhelmed with fear of missing its next morsel of food. The Popper I have above mimics a frog and there are quite a few of them out today. Another favorite of mine is the Mouse, nothing like convincing a Bass to inhale a Deer Hair Mouse.
According to Moose Knuckle Bass expert Mark Beardmore, previously of Sanibel Island fame, to catch a Bass on a popper you, “…It depends. I like to vary it. For me I vary it by the small ripples it makes, which sounds ridiculous. Basically just count. Pop, then wait a second and continue for a little while. If that doesn’t get any bites speed it up or slow it down depending. When the fish hits it, but misses it, I like to immediately change to a very fast twitch like it, the Popper, is wounded but trying to get away. But not a pop.” As mixed up as that all sounds, just use the method while Fly Fishing, it works.
Fish Story
Reader beware the accuracy of this account may change and grow more dramatic over time.
As I previously mentioned the storm clouds were gathering in the distance. In addition the wind was blowing gale force against my casting direction. I waited for a lull and hurled my frog popper out. Performed the slow ripple retrieve and waited….explosive strike! Pulled out a tiny bass. Now excited, I went, I cast parallel to the weed line. As I throw he popper out, it lands hard on the water with a splash; it sits and the ripple dissipates. I start to strip again and a Bass explodes out of the water swallowing the popper. Now the fight is on, with the four-weight rod this is an intense battle. Finally he wears down and dives into some weeds, I try and pull him up and out but he will not budge. At last I jump in the water as he is stuck right at the edge and pull the Bass out right by his lip.
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