Bass are ravenous eaters and are known to eat prey up to half of their own length. Because bass swallow their prey whole, the size of bass fishing flies must be smaller than the width of the bass mouth. Being hungry predators, they usually seek out the largest prey they can find that will fit into their mouths.



The movement of the fishing fly is critical to attracting the bass. Bass quickly jump at the chance to swallow anything moving, but also regularly spit out a would-be meal, perhaps due to the taste or texture. When bass fishing, it's important to use fishing flies with a strategic design and hook position. In this article, you'll read about our top picks for bass fishing flies:

Deer Hair Popper:

Deer Hair Poppers are often referred to as the original fishing flies. Before the tying of fishing flies was commercialized in America, Native Americans bundled feathers and hair to create fishing flies to attract bass. These fishing flies are meant to float and wriggle on the surface and gain the attention of the bass lingering just a few feet below. Thinking it terrestrial bug caught helplessly in the water, the bass normally can't resist such an easy meal.

Deer Hair Mouse:

Very large bass have been known to swallow baby ducklings and other waterfowl to satisfy their voracious appetite. While not all bass reach a size where they can take in such a large snack, most large bass can and will find a mouse a tasty treat. Deer Hair Mouse fishing flies are a tackle box staple for any bass fisher. Mice often take residence near the riverside and it only takes a slip or a strong win to render them helpless in the water. The body of this fishing fly is made of course deer hair tied around a large hook with a long flexible tail to attract the bass as it swishes through the water.

Swimming Frog:

A frog is a delectable meal and a temptation that a hungry bass can rarely resist. Swimming frog fishing flies are designed to imitate the movements of the frog while swimming along the surface of the water. The swimming frog is also made of deer hair and is colored in various shades of green. These fishing flies work well in areas where frogs naturally take residence like around lily pads and other water plants.

Matuka Sculpin:

The olive colored matuka sculpin is a great fishing fly to use in streams with algae or weed covered bottoms. These fishing flies normally come in a gold option for lighter colored riverbeds and are made from deer hair and turkey quill. The sculpin is a small fish that lives in camouflage against the river bottom. These fishing flies need to be fast sinking and heavy enough to stay down and not float off the bottom.

The best bass fishing occurs when water temperatures are between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Any hotter or colder and feeding tends to slow down considerably. With the right weather, the right fishing flies, and a little luck, a bass fishing trip can be one of the most satisfying fishing trips of the year.