bass plugs

[craig t]

I want to try poppers for bass this summer at Willard, Mantua Jordanelle. I not sure about size or color, from the prices of plug fly’s I think I can tie up some for a lot less any suggestions. Thanks CT

[walksinwater]

Craig,

Check out Flytyer magazine. They usually run an article for tying bass flys.

Bass is a fish I would like to go after. I think I caught one when I was in Mexico. But since I did not land it, I will never know. Whatever it was it sure bent my rod over.

Let us know how it goes.

[Ouzel]

I did a great deal of that growing up in the Midwest.
I would suggest that since you are starting out and forming popper bodies is a hassle to buy the cup mouth bodies that taper to a point and are the next size up from the panfish size. These can be reversed for a quiet "girgle" popper.
The larger sizes take a solid cast with a 8 wt. rod with a WF line, which you may not have in your arsenal.
If you don't want to get into the painting (drying time & mess) buy the completed bodies.
You will need the popper hooks. And don't forget the mono for the weed guard and use a heavier leader to turn the suckers over. Also be sure to remove the barb, as casting with these wind resistant poppers takes a little getting use to and you may find it neccessary to remove them from cloths and body extremities.
I'm sure Cabela's and others have "kits" to get you started.

Timeing can be everthing, I cleaned up my tying area this weekend and threw out lots of bodies, hooks, tail featers, paint bottles (probably dried out) that I have not used in 15 yrs. And garbage pickup was two hours ago. Sorry.
But Bass'in is fun.

[Crosby]

Used to use just a big deer hair popper with legs when I was a kid on the shores of Lake Eire- sure worked like a charm under a dock- though a soft shell craw on a hook was pretty tough to beat.

[shazerblaze]

Hey Craig
It's good to hear more people are going after the big bass. I think the only thing cooler to see than a bass smashing a popper is a large trout sipping your dry. There is a whole lot of water moving when the bass smashes your popper. I would suggest getting preformed bodies -- it's just easier. It's fun to spin hair, but they don't last long enough when you are into lots of bass. I have heard of shrink wrap over the hair bodies (to prolong the life of the fly), but I have yet to try it. I will try it sometime soon and let you know. It will soon be bass season again out here in Missouri, so I need to stock up. Colors? I have heard that colors don't matter, but yellow or green seems to work really well for me. My friend always seemed to do well with red or white. Make sure popper moves lots of water and let it sit still over ambush sites. WHAM! There are lots of other things I am learning still, so I can get back to you when I learn something new about tying plugs. Hey, also remember swimmers and divers for bass. Oh, and my personal favorite -- clousers.

[Light Cahill]

Last year I did some Bass fishing on Flaming Gorge, Jordannelle and Deer Creek Dam. I had a lot of fun stripping a large Hornberg streamer treated with floatant, as a topwater bass lure. Those smallmouths hiding in the sunken trees were quite smitten by that presentation.

[Jeff Brooks]

I know one angler who has really been into fly-fishing for Bass that you could talk to. The manager of the Orem Angler's Inn (Russ) has been chasing bass on the fly for several years now and I'm sure he could offer you some help.