Hey all,
I'm still pretty new to fly fishing, but have found this site to be super helpful in learning how to go about fishing the fly when trout isn't the main game fish. I've been having a blast with panfish so far.

I was hoping that I could get some recommendations for bass flies that I could tie that are casting friendly for a beginner with a 5-weight 9ft. Most of the bass flies I see seem to be made for 7 or 8 weight outfits.


I'm hoping not, but is a 5 weight just too light for bass?

Go to your local fly shop bass pro, Cabelas, tailgaters, or Backwoods and ask what flies will work with five weight line. That said, I would be throwing flies on size1 or smaller hooks. You can play with unweighted flies whack use heavier wire. Think about wind resistance when making your selection.

Les

8 and 10 size Clousers. Great fly to start tying and fishing.

I fish for bass most of the time with a 5 weight. I use flies from a big #2 to the small #12; however most of the flies I use are tied on #6,8, and 10 hooks. A five weight is very versatile regarding flies; the main thing is the wind resistance; for example a #2 cork popper can easily be cast with a 5; where a #2 deerhair popper might be a tad heavy, especially after its fished for awhile; but staying with #8 and #10 you'll have no problem-p-

For topwater, foam and balsa will be your friends. Much easier to cast than deer hair with a lighter rod.

Ive caught some really big bass on size 10 and 12 woolly buggers and mohair leeches.

Cool, thanks much guys. Here's hoping I have some luck with it.

Clousers in size 2 -8, wooly buggers in same size, foam poppers that are "small to medium". On the poppers, deer hair trim, small rubber legs, and synthetic hair will be better than marabou. The marabou soaks up water and adds more weight. A small rabbit strip streamer would work, but a bigger one definitely not with a 5 wt
The comments above on deer hair bugs are good advice. I've noticed that dense, heavy flies are tough on a 5 wt and so are big hairy flies with a lot of wind resistance. Can't get 'em to turnover. They land right by the end of my fly line.

It is a bunch of fun catch bass on a 5 wt. I scored a 3 pounder a couple weeks back on a medium sized green popper - great fun. It's also loads of fun if you get into a school of sand bass. I got into a huge school earlier this year from my kayak and there wasn't anyone else around. I got them on my 5 wt with a small clouser minnow until my arm was worn out.