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Sandbass on a fly rod #12423749 09/12/17 03:12 PM
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rkd Online Content OP
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Taking a friend to either Grapevine or Lewisville to fish for sandbass. She loves to fly fish......I don't know anything about it. I am sure she has her own rod/reel but cant tell you what weight it is, etc. She primarily trout fishes up in OK and AR. Assuming her current rod/reel are adequate or at least can't be changed, what do I need to get for all other aspects of this trip? What flies/streamers will be best for schooling sandies? Size of line? Leader? Thanks in advance!

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12423784 09/12/17 03:35 PM
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Glitchmo Offline
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Bank or boat?

If they're catchable from shore, they'll probably be in shallow enough water that fly gear can work. A 5wt with floating line, or an 8wt if it's windy will be fine.

From a boat it depends on if the fish are up high or sitting deep. If they're up high I would go with the 5wt, floating line, and have some fun. If they're deep you'll need a sinking line to get the fly down to them. You'd probably want the 8wt and a full sink line in that scenario.

Flies -- white/chartreuse Clouser minnow is my go to. Any shad imitation will work.

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: Glitchmo] #12423788 09/12/17 03:36 PM
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rrhyne56 Offline
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what he said smile Also, in a pinch, a super long tippet and heavy lead eye streamers. Chuck and duck. TO get the fly down to where the fish are holding.
Originally Posted By: Glitchmo
Bank or boat?

If they're catchable from shore, they'll probably be in shallow enough water that fly gear can work. A 5wt with floating line, or an 8wt if it's windy will be fine.

From a boat it depends on if the fish are up high or sitting deep. If they're up high I would go with the 5wt, floating line, and have some fun. If they're deep you'll need a sinking line to get the fly down to them. You'd probably want the 8wt and a full sink line in that scenario.

Flies -- white/chartreuse Clouser minnow is my go to. Any shad imitation will work.


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in memory of Big Dale
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Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12423886 09/12/17 04:46 PM
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J-Moe Offline
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For surfacing white bass on the open lake I use a 5wt with a bead chain clouser or an 8 weight with a slightly heavier fly. If I am having to make long casts to chase them I might just use the 8 weight. Grey / white magical clouser and Chartreuse / White Moe-Beta. Usually I use floating fly line with 6 lb. fluorocarbon leader. Makes it tough when the hybrids get involved though grin



Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: J-Moe] #12423898 09/12/17 04:57 PM
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Sorry guys, that is a rather important piece of information.....we will be in a boat and most likely a pontoon. And most likely Grapevine at this point so the hybrids won't be a problem there. Even the sandbass tend to be smaller on Grapevine than Lewsiville. Thanks again for all the help and recommendations.

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12424071 09/12/17 07:40 PM
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Glitchmo Offline
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Originally Posted By: rkd
Sorry guys, that is a rather important piece of information.....we will be in a boat and most likely a pontoon. And most likely Grapevine at this point so the hybrids won't be a problem there. Even the sandbass tend to be smaller on Grapevine than Lewsiville. Thanks again for all the help and recommendations.


Then, yeah, The main problem will be finding fish shallow enough to fly fish effectively. You can fly fish deep, but it's kind of a pain and you're pretty much better off with spinning gear at that point.

Good luck!

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12424245 09/12/17 09:57 PM
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Robert Hunter Offline
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Split shot and sz 6 chartreuse and white clousers cruise around main lake points and around the dam. Keep an eye out for birds and fish on the surface. They will be easy to target just shut down the big motor and troll in so you don't put them down. Good luck


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Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12424322 09/12/17 11:07 PM
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You could also try the area south of the island, they always seem to be lurking around there somewhere.
A clouser with heavier eyes is the way to go, lead or brass eyes instead of the bead-chain eyes. Grey/white or olive/whit ein addition to what other folks have already mentioned. If they are deeper, you can also drift slow and just let the fly drift. It will stay deeper than if you continuously cast and strip. I've caught bunches at a time by just letting my kayak drift through the area while my clouser slowly sinks- no stripping needed.

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12425068 09/13/17 03:35 PM
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Thanks again for all the help. I've been catching them out there from the pontoon the last few weeks but that's with normal spinning gear. They've been surfacing so that's why I thought she might have fun with the fly rod. Definitely know how to keep the boat from spooking the fish. Have been finding the schools in kind of a triangle from south of the island to straight north across shoreline just east of Twin Coves and down that north bank to Rockledge. Sounds like the heavier clouser is definitely the go-to choice. I asked her what weight her gear is and she said "medium" so I am not sure what I am getting myself into here!

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12425293 09/13/17 06:47 PM
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Hope you guys dont mind me stealing your tips. I'll be up there Saturday morning with an buddy I served with. Looking forward to my first sandbass

Re: Sandbass on a fly rod [Re: rkd] #12425966 09/14/17 04:00 AM
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Nothing to add here, other than I can't wait until the sand bass start running again so I can chase them while wade fishing local rivers.

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