FS Digest

My question is exactly as it is written in the title. Using a fly in conjunction with a water filled bobber has worked wonders for me and has saved me from having to buy a whole new setup.

Has anybody else had experience using this particular setup vs a dedicated fly rod? If so, what pros and cons have you found with each?

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by JustAnAverageAaron

Bass face

I’ve fished the fly and bobber technique and caught trout on it. That said, I’ve always had great success and caught hundreds of trout fishing a #1 or #2 Panther Martin spinner... they flat out catch trout!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

It's not the same, if I want to spin fish, I spin fish, if I want to fly fish I fly fish. I don't use a driver to putt the golf ball.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

The water filled bobber technique works great when fishing high mountain "pothole" lakes where getting a fly out to drop offs from shore can be more easily accomplished by the heavy casting weight of the bobber without using lead sinkers. In the same way, fishing the same type of waters, you can actually put anything on for your "bait"...a fly, spinner, live bait if allowed, etc. I would be careful to note that for the most part, when using a water filled "clear" bobber, your goal is not only to fling it a long ways, but that you are targeting fish below the surface. In my own knowledge base, this may be where that technique has it's roots. When back packing in mountain regions, and trying to minimize excess gear, that is where I have most often used the method you are talking about to cast flies. I have also taken a dedicated fly rod and reel, with an extra spinning reel to swap on it for diversity, and then been able to toss spinners and related hardware...or a fly on the bobber as well.

It would be fair to say that the same water bobber approach would work universally in any situation (surf, lake, river, creek), so a spinning rod could be the rod of choice to cast flies in those situations.

As has been mentioned, the method/tackle you choose to fish with is all up to you personally. If you just want to catch fish, a spinning rod set up with regular lure tackle, or flies with appropriate split shot sinkers ahead will accomplish your goal too.

When it comes to traditional "fly" fishing, there are numerous ways to present a fly to a fish by using a significantly altered approach. The primary difference is in being able to "float" a fly right on top of the water for a fish to rise to. The other side of fly fishing is running flies beneath the surface. The classic fly rodding approach, based on the rod and line combinations you choose, offers a new dimension of fishing for you and will ultimately add to your enjoyment of fishing in general, even if you only learn the basic fundamentals of it.

So much of fishing is about the reward for your efforts, but it should not be understated that the enjoyment of the pursuit and surroundings are also important. In the end, I would not let anything dissuade you from doing what you enjoy, in the way that you choose to enjoy it, regardless of the process.

In closing, I would say this...by the time I was 15, I had fished in every way imaginable (most legal, but some otherwise!) as the means of a young wild kid permitted. All of these methods were "non fly" styled fishing. When I built my first fly rod as a hobby at age 17, and began to use it proficiently, I immediately fell in love with the methods of fly fishing with traditional equipment. We are all wired differently, and I get that, but for me there is an almost indescribable feel that is evoked when I set up a fly cast and deliver the goods to a target.

I don't man to wax on philosophically, but I think that we all have an inherent desire to please our inner psyche with whatever we pursue.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

JustAnAverageAaron: Remember this saying, "When you have caught all the fish you ever want to chatch, then ypu take up fly fishing!" I have fly fished and it is fun, but it is not the method i'd choose if I want to catch fish. Just Sayin...RJS

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

It doesn't happen often, but I can not agree with you this time Robert. There are times the fly rod can make a presentation that the spinning rod just can not match that will out fish a spinner set up. An example is the crappie I posted yesterday all caught on a fly rod. I was using a spinning rod but just could not get the 1/64 oz lure to to the right location and sink properly to the fish about 6 foot down. The fly rod hit it right on. I have fished a fly rod for about 60 years. sometimes in a conventional manner. Sometimes in ways that would make the fly fishing greats turn over in their graves. I have also fished spinning and casting gear using floats, flies live bait and conventional lures. It should not be an us vs. them or fly fish vs. spin and bait caster or level wind. Rods and reels are just tools/toys. Use the one that works best for the situation or the one you have a hankering to play with at a given time.

tannin Loc: Western OR

I have fished both. I agree spinning with a bobber allows to reach out farther in larger lakes and streams.
I learned fly fishing for salmon in Alaska coastal streams. Fly fishing allows you to repeat casts in areas with brush trees and brambles and not hang up ...as much. Spin casting is much more difficult to duplicate a cast over and over, therefore more time tying on new gear and less catching.

Ridleyblake2017 Loc: Honesdale Pennsylvania

If you tie the bubble on the end of the line and tie the flies off droppers you can fish where the fly rod guy struggle.
By lifting and twitching you can make those flies dance.
The seam between the main current and a back eddy is perfect for this technique.

Jwid Loc: Lake Killarney, Ironton, MO

I don’t have a fly rod setup. Buy I was given some homemade flies by a friend that makes them faster than she can use them. I use a small bobber for weight and fish for bluegill. Trying to get catfish bait. Fish I caught were to big for bait. Hit the fly very hard. Spinning gear and flies catch fish.

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

Bluegill, and panfish in general, are an absolute blast to catch via a fly rod set up with multiple droppers. It is hard to beat 2 or 3 "gills" zooming in different directions all at the same time! Whether it is a typical fly rod, or alternate such as a spincast rod, the thrill is the same!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Very well said, bapabear.

Washingtonfish

Wow,fly fishermen are long winded. Seems like ego has something to do with these opinions. If it works for you and your catching fish, that's great.

Ridleyblake2017 Loc: Honesdale Pennsylvania

Don’t get me wrong I enjoy fly fishing but I will always use what I think I will do the best with.
Also while moving to Pennsylvania I somehow lost 2 fly vests and well over a thousand flies and all my spare spools and fly line.

Don Fischer

I haven't fly fished in years but when I did I much preferred a fly rod. Tried a bubble and fly on a spinning rod one time and didn't care for it. That was on a big river that a fly rod would never have got the fly out. For trout, which I haven't fished for in years, I like spinning and spinner's. If I fish a stream I like a fly rod and fly's. But don't see myself fishing for trout in the near future. Much prefer to eat crappie, catfish and bass!