I used to fish for largies in Utah Lake a lot more than I have the past few years. The number one bait for summer cod, but also great for bass. You see, boat dock fishing is easily one of bass fishing’s best-kept secrets. Shelter and plentiful feeding opportunities make boat docks the perfect dwelling for bass. There are other warm springs coming up into the lake just northeast of the harbor. Float a Fly for a Bass. Eddie Nuckols says the most common mistake anglers make with the Float-N-Fly is staying on a bank or point too long without bites. So do those of other fish and fabulous days when the temperature was cold but the action was hot. CHAPTER 2 – TECHNIQUES – BAIT FISHING. More books and articles are written on “bassology” than on any other fish. Pictures from that era show fish that appear to be at least 8 to 10 pounds. The Biggest Antlered Does You’ve Ever Seen—Including a 200-incher. "Man!" "She came up three times. Then he began designing and producing "flies" with different color schemes. You can get very close to the bass in most cases without spooking the fish. The float starts at the Boggan’s Oasis boat ramp and we fish a 9 mile stretch to our take-out section, Shumaker grade. This truly gives new meaning to the term "cold sweat.". With the drop of temperatures, the fish can be easily caught in shallow waters as they cruise around looking for food. No other trip allows you to access over 100 miles of river that is not accessible by foot. Bass fishing is really an exciting sport; you should be equipped with the proper mentality, a lot of patience, and information to be good at this sport. Bass-n-Tubes is a northern California Float Tube, Kickboat, and Kayak Bass fishing club. If you make a complete circuit of the shoreline around Utah Lake you will discover numerous spots where small inlets or canals enter the lake. When fishing the Float-N-Fly, Nuckols keeps his boat 20 to 40 yards out from the bank. ", She was gone, but Nuckols' memory of her still lingers. Bass are on the move right now, or will be shortly. But the nature of their design enables the angler to go after bass in these cover types even in deeper water. Maine’s Mystery Buck: The Obscure Tale of Maine’s 110-Year-Old, Non-Typical Record Whitetail. Bass are ideal targets from tubes and toons because they are often live in water not easily accessible to other anglers in boats or on the shoreline. But, there are enough reeds, weeds, docks and rocks to sustain a fairly good population of largies. The “top secret spot” best known to many serious bass chasers is inside the Saratoga Harbor. ", Nuckols keeps alert for such clues as presence of forage, wind direction, sunlight penetration and other factors that might cause bass to congregate in certain areas. If we had to choose one trip as a favorite, it would be without hesitation, the full day Float Trip for Trout or Smallmouth Bass. Instead, he's typically all concentration and efficiency as he casts and works his small "fly." If you’re trying to catch a fast biting fish like a smallmouth bass, a less sensitive float … Finally, after several minutes of give-and-take, Nuckols guided a. Hunting. You will also find old pumping stations…some out on pilings and others inside short dugout channels. Crank and spinner baits are also a suitable choice but you should look for ones with color, action and flash as these easily entice the fish to strike thus giving you a chance to make a catch. The area has the second lowest tidal range in Europe, therefore, with some caution, many of the shallow reefs are easily accessible. But it's designed specifically for smallies and waters that are rarely touched by anglers using other, more standard techniques. C&R anglers often catch the same fish multiple times. We will be covering 7-12 miles of the best fishing on the New River. "He was a very good fisherman with jigs and blade baits, but he wanted to find a niche — some new lure and technique that nobody else had. Amazon's Choice for floating worms for bass fishing. Make sure you can identify the depth the bass are holding. However, the best time to catch Largemouth is during the hotter summer seasons when the water is above 70 degrees and especially at night when there is a mass movement of the fish in shallow waters. You can concentrate on catching the fish rather than on controlling a boat. As an aside I have to say that I don’t know why it’s called a “floating worm.” The worms I’ve used for this technique over the past 20 years don’t float. Float tube fishing for bass is always an effective activity. "You can give line faster, and you don't have to worry about adjusting drag.". The temperature was in the mid-20s, and the lake was wracked by bone-chilling winds, sleet and snow. You've got to keep moving until you find bass. They are known as surface layer, middle layer, and deep layer. Over the years, Charlie Nuckols experimented with this presentation in still, deep water. They have won two of the last three annual Billy Westmorland/Horse Creek Resort Invitational tournaments on Dale Hollow Lake. Then he quickly regained his composure and snapped upward with his rod. Really, I've done some of my best bass fishing using a float tube. Largemouth black bass were introduced in Utah Lake about 1890…along with severalsunfish species. Floating Trout Worm, 20-Pack. Some of them actually work better than from the bank or a boat, simply because you can get more “up close and personal” with the fish without alarming them. "Safe" might not be the right word, however, for Eddie's rod bowed, then began throbbing as an unseen, heavy fish realized it was hooked. The spunky bass don't grow to the size of their smallmouth, largemouth or spotted bass cousins, but on light tackle or fly gear they offer great fun. During the cold months of the year this warmer water inside attracts all species from the main lake…and especially largemouth bass. Let’s keep it simple. Angling for this fish can be fun and especially because it offers one of the toughest challenges to any fisherman seeking to have a catch. Actually, the Float-N-Fly is the brainchild of Eddie Nuckols' older brother, Charlie, who was an avid bass angler and who desired to start his own lure business. In the days before competition from other predators…like the catfish and walleyes introduced in later years…largies became the top of the food chain and grew to hefty sizes. "We got tired of hanging up in the rocks, so we started suspending our jigs beneath floats and drifting them past ambush spots. A high percentage of all LMB caught from Utah Lake are caught in and around the various harbors and backwaters on the lake. Float tube fishing for bass is always an effective activity. In early winter, as water temperature drops through the 50s, bass' metabolism slows. Drew Morgan and Craig Godwin with East Alabama Fly Fishing guide service show a big redeye bass caught from the Tallapoosa River in east-central Alabama. More Fishing. Nowadays smallmouth bass are present in rivers and lakes throughout several regions of the country, and serve as favorites for like-minded river anglers. Larry Self missed a "pull-down" on his second cast. That’s probably because largemouths are at home in many small ponds and lakes that are ideal for floatation fishing. And once you know the prime locations you can hit them systematically on each trip without wasting a lot of time in additional prospecting. Nothing will fire you up like a heavy smallmouth going wild on 4-pound-test line! I was being real careful with her. I had little difficulty mastering the technique. Fishing Gifts for Men Fishing Lure Set Bass with Topwater Floating Rotating Tail Artificial Hard Bait Fishing Lures with Box/Swimbaits Slow Sinking Hard Lure Fishing Tackle Kits Lifelike. Tie a loop at the end of the line to join the hook line and the mainline. He quickly started backreeling line to the fish, trying to regain control over what had started like a scene from the Keystone Cops. They also like points and drop-offs next to deep water…where they can retreat when conditions are not to their liking. $24.99 $ 24. I didn't do anything wrong. The "float" is a simple plastic bobber, about as big around as a quarter. • Flats or gravel bars adjacent to any of the above structures. Make that smallmouth bass! Over time, most of your fish will come from the same proven spots. It sprang from the deep, clear reservoirs of east Tennessee, but now the Float-N-Fly is spreading to other regions, where word is leaking out about its effectiveness. Float tubing is a great way to go fishing. But we caught smallmouth all day long! While big crappie are regularly caught using the float and fly most of the time float and fly anglers are fishing for big smallmouth bass. He repeats this process until the float is almost back to the boat, then he reels up for another cast. They are tough to find and catch in this pond so each one is a special accomplishment. It is important that you’re familiar with this because bass fish tend to be in the cooler part of the water. 4.2 out of 5 stars 86. JOIN TODAY! Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. 4-pound "brown bass" into a net manned by his boat partner, Larry Self. Here’s a few things to consider on how to fish a float and fly better. Knowing where the fish are…or just finding them…is never a guarantee that you can catch them. Find a bobber that will pick up on the nibbles of the fish you’re trying to catch. This may take awhile. Eddie Nuckols usually isn't so discombobulated. 99. Attach the float onto the line and the second rubber float stop. ", When a bass makes a run, Nuckols backreels instead of relying on drag to play out line. This protected 53 mile section of river meanders through a beautifully forested canyon, and float fishing is without a doubt the angler's best means of accessing this amazing resource. The date of our trip was March 3, 2002. Thus, anglers must learn to be delicate when fighting big fish on this light tackle. What's hard about watching a float go down and setting the hook? | Winter Bass Fishing If you've ever wanted to fish the Float 'n' Fly you've got to try this new method! "Charlie's idea was to target winter smallmouth bass specifically," Eddie recounts. Appalachian Outdoor Adventures (AOA) is a full service guide business specializing in smallmouth bass and musky fishing on the New River in Virginia. Utah Lake does not have a lot of classic bass structure and it is pretty shallow throughout the entire lake. It doesn't cost a lot, and it will give you access to areas that can't be reached by shore anglers or boat fishermen. The fly is tied onto the end of the line. Still, the thin line is necessary for casting the Float-N-Fly and allowing the fly to drop quickly beneath the float. When they do, they pull the float down, and this is when the fun starts!". Yes, the Float-N-Fly will take largemouth and spots that are in the neighborhood. The irony is that the Float-N-Fly technique appears so simple, almost like crappie fishing. A must-have accessory for all types of anglers, the Cush-It Big Bass Rod Float provides increased comfort and peace-of-mind that everyone can appreciate, from the casual bank walker to the seasoned professional. Some of the most expensive fishing excursions are done from bass boats but if you do not have the kind of money that will give you a boat, then you can use reels and rods which come in different sizes and styles. The float is clipped on from 9 to 11 feet above it. Bites are usually scarce during this period for anglers who are banging the banks with jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. Also, the percentage of hookups to bites was very high. Both spin fishing and fly fishing options are available. They are ambush feeders. In recent years there have been a growing number of bass fanatics who invest the time, money and effort to learn the habits and habitat of Utah Lake’s bass population. Mission Statement. Sometimes, though, the challenges of this light tackle, down-deep fishing method cause the best anglers to come unglued. "I'll keep an eye on my depthfinder, and if I see fish below me, I'll make sure to set the float so the fly suspends above them. AOA fishing guides Jim Richmond and Charlie White have been guiding river float trips for over thirty years. If you spend the time prospecting and fishing all around the edges of all the harbors you will learn the places where there are underwater break lines, rocks and brush that hold bass at times. Swim-baits, drop shotting and senkos are also ideal when fishing for largemouth bass. I'll keep searching until I put a pattern together, then I'll concentrate just on the structure that's paying off. Floating boat docks, especially, are often crawling with enormous populations of quality bass thanks to … Bass Fishing – Snake River – Grande Ronde River ... Our float begins at the Boggan’s Oasis boat launch and ends 9 miles down – river at the Shoemaker Takeout. Prawn fishing for bass is traditional along the Dorset coastline. The long rod enables him to roll-cast his float/fly combo toward shoreline, then he waits while the fly sinks. "They don't get too stressed in the cold water. "Where's my float?" Once, you’ve got an idea of what depth the bass are at, measure your leader, and place your fly only about 6 – 12 inches above the desired depth. If you've ever wanted to fish the Float 'n' Fly you've got to try this new method! Our Floating Bungalows draft only a foot of water, giving us the ability to transport them into less-accessible waters that have the best potential to yield trophy peacock bass; the ultimate in peacock bass fishing excitement. Light in … When they do, they pull the float down, and this is when the fun starts!" Largemouth bass also has the capacity to grow big reaching up to 20lbs. But they are much scarcer than in the protected waters inside the harbors. The float should be stopped between the two float stops. Water depth – In every body of water there exist a certain layer that fishes tend to stay. Average size was 2 to 3 pounds. Eddie Nuckols' biggest-ever smallmouth on a Float-N-Fly weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, though he's caught numerous 4s and 5s. "I theorize about 'why' more than I should, but it's the 'where' that really counts. The main things are to be patient and keep the fish from wrapping around the trolling motor or the big motor. "No," Nuckols answers. Please let … fish. Anglers who copy Eddie Nuckols' methods will have little problem warming up cold days with hot fishing action. Through it all they have managed to maintain a viable population. Lots of bass have readily moved into “condos” in and around the shoreline greenery. It appeals to their predatory instincts. Largemouth bass are very structure oriented. The float holds the fly in the strike zone, and it looks like an easy meal. We caught a lot of fish doing this, and this is where the idea for the Float-N-Fly came from.". All of these anomalies to the “normal” shoreline create potential bass-holding structure. You can't horse 'em. Better safe than sorry. We had action on every bank we tried. Eddie began laughing, and rubbing with his glove-covered hand, distracted momentarily from jiggling his bobber on the water's surface. You can fish for largies from tubes and toons using any of the tried and true tackle and methods. was the only word Eddie could muster. Does tiring fish out completely before landing them hurt chances of successful live release? You do not require expensive or fancy gear to catch this fish species. Then Eddie Nuckols followed with a 3-pound brownie. When you release a fish, it might sulk for a few seconds, but then it'll come to life and swim away unharmed.". Nuckols and regular tourney partner Larry Self routinely show how effective the Float-N-Fly is in regional wintertime tournaments. The "fly" is a 1/8- or 1/16-ounce leadhead jig dressed with "craft hair," a synthetic fur that has a pulsing, shimmering action in the water. Then he pauses for three to four seconds to allow the bait to pendulum back down. Eddie Nuckols turned to look skyward, and a sleet pellet blew up his nose! One fish after another fell prey to the Float-N-Fly. He discovered that it was deadly on suspended smallmouth. I've never seen another smallmouth that big. When a bass finally tires and is led to the boat, Nuckols prefers dipping it with a landing net instead of lipping it. "Bass are attracted by its flash and struggling action. And even the “pros” still smell like skunk on some trips. waypoints on your GPS. The biggest mistake people make is having a float that’s too big for the target fish. More Buying Choices $9.89 (6 new offers) >>Check Price on Amazon<< Features: Up to 250 lbs load capacity. I always enjoy hunting for them and being rewarded with a “greenie” on the end of my line. "This presentation targets those inactive, suspended fish," Eddie Nuckols explains. Charlie founded Bullet Lures in 1986. The float 'n' fly system can heat up your fishing in cold weather. Heard of FloatationNation? Even though they aren't as streamlined, expensive or glittery as bass boats, float tubes can be used just as effectively to catch fish, and they are a blast to use. As will be covered more thoroughly in the chapter on Tackle and Techniques, there are some kinds of bass fishing that are better from a tube and others that are better from a pontoon. FREE … (He says most fishermen casting to the bank are actually sitting right over the fish.) Get best fishing times with lunar fishing calendars. You give line when they want to run, then you take it back when you can. There are a lot of other suitable float fishing baits, for example live sandeels or shrimps, but the ones above are the baits I use the most – and the ones that are also the easiest to collect. In the next 10 years, he built up a loyal — albeit mostly local — following of Float-N-Fly enthusiasts. (When rigging, the line is actually wrapped three times around the float's spring wire hook to prevent slipping.). You can sometimes find the occasional largie around the outside rocks on the dikes of the different harbors around the lake. It’s not uncommon to catch 100 bass in a day and land a 5 lb. But plain old donuts have worked for years at chunkin’ a wide variety of baits and lures for “greenfish” on just about every kind of water imaginable. Hook sets are free. We never saw another boat from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. They found the lake to their liking and soon developed a healthy population. Largemouth bass fishing can be done using different equipments based on your fishing plan. "Bass are attracted by its flash and struggling action. It's too easy a target for them to pass up. The truly dedicated and more successful bassaholics are understandably reluctant to broadcast their findings or to share all their secrets. For example, flipping and pitching are best done from the higher position and visibility afforded by casting from a pontoon. If they'll give it a fair chance, they'll learn how effective it really is.". Spotted bass (top) and largemouth bass can often be easy to identify if both are in hand at the same time. "This presentation makes the fly look like a dying baitfish," Nuckols explains. Many are hooked beneath docks or along rocky dikes inside the harbors. Then, tragically, Charlie Nuckols died in a boating accident in 1996. Fishing for largemouth bass can also be done using artificial lures and baits such as plastic worms which are easily inhaled by the fish thus making them suitable for a quick catch. His 4-pound-test mono was getting stretched even thinner. During the century plus that largemouths have been in Utah Lake they have endured many changes in the water levels, water quality and the overall ecosystem. The problem is that this area is open to the public and it gets heavily fished by the “happy harvesters” who keep everything they catch. A bass fishing video blog dedicated to teaching and helping bass fisherman grow. He had one sow on that he believes would have weighed over 10 pounds. Catching them requires both art and science…along with good timing and a lot of luck. The Guided Float Fishing Trip is the most popular among our regular guests. It is often claimed that the largemouth bass is the most popular game fish in the country. Smallmouth feed up, not down.". We start our guided bass trips June 1st and will fish the Ronde until August 1st, or until water flows become too low to float. Get it as soon as Thu, Jan 14. Slip float rigs are very effective when targeting bass found around shallow weed beds, among large rocks, cruising large flats or holding close to stumps, as are fixed float rigs. Of all the weird things that bass do, not much confounds, confuses and frustrates anglers more than suspending. From then until the pre-spawn, these fish feed sparingly, and they spend much of their time holding out away from shoreline in a semidormant state. Hunting. The Float N Fly Just Got Easier! you're no longer limited to a set length, nor do you need the long rod! Float-N-Fly anglers fish this combo with extra-long spinning rods, and reels spooled with 4-pound-test monofilament. Now’s the perfect time to start fishing with a floating worm. Here's the lowdown on the Float-N-Fly — why it works, what it requires and how to do it. Eddie Nuckols, Larry Self and this writer endured an extremely harsh day on Dale Hollow. ", The name Float-N-Fly is an accurate description of the two main elements of this presentation. They are not happy unless they have something under which to hide or against which they can snuggle. The bulk of them are made of hard plastic and are equipped with treble hooks. Treble hooks help increase your chances of having a fish get and stay hooked when they strike, since bass can often miss a topwater lure, or barely hit it. What’s more is that floatation fishing, using fins, is “hands-free” fishing. The hardest part was being patient when playing fish and not trying to rush them to the boat. The result of a … There are more bass in the lake right now but they are spread out and more difficult to find and to catch. Whenever conditions are right and these anglers show up with their Float-N-Flies, they are odds-on favorites to win. A 6-pound smallmouth hooked on 4-pound line is a guarantee for heartburn! Berkley Gulp! "It offers the bait in a slow, subtle manner that is very tempting to bass, even when they're not feeding. Floatation craft can sneak in quietly, work over the secluded fish and sneak back out without disturbing the whole area. Before you say, “ I’d never!” read on and see how this technique has accounted for some hefty tournament wins during the winter and early springtime, often outperforming other baits to catch above-average bass. Still others are caught around small growths of reeds or willows along mud shorelines both inside and outside these enclosed waters. Regardless, I’m going to call it a floating … This is a private harbor and you cannot launch or fish there unless you are a resident of Saratoga. Utah Lake is a big lake, but there are relatively few areas in which an angler can expect any degree of success with largies on any given day. The float-and-fly rig works wherever bass suspend in cold-water conditions. The big attraction for bass in this harbor is the warm water inflow from thermal springs. The result is a presentation that just may be the best ever devised for catching cold water bass. And these springs also hold largemouths at times. It's little and helpless-looking, just hanging in front of them. These men — and this presentation — dominate buddy events they enter. Pass an inch of the line through the loop and pull the first stop off the wire and onto the fishing line. Again, the Float-N-Fly presentation is highly refined, and anglers wishing to try it should follow Eddie Nuckols' instructions to the letter. Others for a specific type of fishing. He shakes the bobber/fly 10 to 12 times in quick succession, simultaneously reeling slowly to "swim" the fly toward the boat. We’re talking about the float-’n’-fly—a small 1/16- to 1/8-ounce hair jig suspended beneath a small bobber using 4- to 6-pound line fished on a super-light spinning rod. The bass rod of choice should however provide sensitive tips and a sturdy butt to handle the weight of the fish. That’s one of the things that make largemouth bass so appealing and/or frustrating to so many anglers. No need for a tutorial on basic bass fishing here. While the bass are sluggish in cold water once they are hooked they can become freight trains on the end of your line. September 18, 2007. Float-Fished Prawns. Anglers who soak baits or cast lures along the dikes for white bass, catfish or walleyes sometimes find themselves attached to a “green fish”. ", One other point: Nuckols stresses presenting the jig at or above the bass' level — not below them. When and Where to Float. 4.2 out of 5 stars 887. This full-day float fishing trip starts very early in the morning, giving you approximately 8 hours of prime West Virginia Smallmouth Bass fishing. Trout anglers have seen the advantage of float tube fishing for years, but for some reason, bass anglers seem to shy away from these "belly" boats. Where I float the most in Wisconsin’s North Country, the most productive smallmouth bass fishing occurs from early May and lasts into September before fish eventually migrate downstream to deeper and larger sections of the river near their reservoirs for wintering. The largest smallmouth was Eddie's 4-pounder. "It's just like using any other bait. A few minutes later, I got a bite and boated a 1 ½-pound largemouth. But there are plenty of little hidey holes with bass in them. © 2020 - floattubefishing.com All Right reserved. Anglers have to learn the type of spots the fish prefer on that given day, then focus only on them. By Don Wirth. I may try steep banks, main lake points, secondary points, big coves, little coves, humps. But they get worked over a lot and can be pretty tough to fool in the warm clear waters there. In truth, it is intricate to a high degree and carefully refined through years of testing. Largemouth Bass are one of the commonly sought after fresh water fish in the United States and other neighboring countries. On an average summer of fishing, I make five to ten float trips for smallmouth bass down a few rivers that are scattered throughout the Upper Midwest. The hook just pulled out, and she was gone. Box 652, Jonesborough, TN 37659; 423-753-6151. ", As youngsters, Charlie and Eddie used to fish small jigs for bass in the headwaters of east Tennessee reservoirs, where currents were strong. This is where the Float-N-Fly comes in. Get it as soon as Thu, Jan 21. Outcast FishCat 4-LCS. The white stuff was peppering Tennessee's Dale Hollow Lake in a stiff angling wind. he blurted in a mix of surprise and panic. "I had her on for several minutes," he recounts. (Photo: David Rainer/ADCNR) you're no longer limited to a set length, nor do you need the long rod! They can just ease up under the fly, suck it in and swim away with it. "All you have to do is stay connected to them until they wear out. The main question when we started was whether they would bite after the wild weather swing that had occurred during the night. The first spot dispelled any doubt. Float tubes are some of the most overlooked weapons in the bass fishing arsenal. During the spring season, largemouth can be found in shallower waters and especially because this is the spawning season for the fish. The Grande Ronde is definitely one of the hidden gems in the Pacific Northwest and once you make the float, you’ll see why. However, you can come inside the harbor by boat…from the outside lake…and you can fish all around the harbor…as long as you do not dock your boat or step onto the private property. Float-n-fly history Catching largemouth bass during this same season is also possible but you have to venture deep into the waters where they like spending their day. Here are some of the points that you should know before venturing out. 99. When he looked back, the bobber was gone. During years of high water and abundant food resources they spawn well and have good recruitment. Since Utah Lake water levels came back up after the big drought early in this century there has been an explosion of reeds and other aquatic growth around much of the lake. ' that really counts them requires both art and science…along with good timing and push! And others inside short dugout channels another fell prey to the Float-N-Fly quick succession, reeling... At home in many small ponds and lakes that are in the bass fishing with a float States and neighboring. Big attraction for bass is the warm clear waters there covering 7-12 miles of river that is not accessible foot. Wrapping around the trolling motor or the big motor in early winter, as temperature... The points that you can hit them systematically on each trip without wasting a of. Amazon < < Features: up to 20lbs spring wire hook to prevent slipping )! Quick succession, simultaneously reeling slowly to `` swim '' the fly toward the boat, backreels... Casting from a pontoon your fishing in cold weather many small ponds and lakes that are in warm! Kickboat, and reels spooled with 4-pound-test monofilament, took over the,! One fish after another fell prey to the bass rod float fits securely the! Should follow eddie Nuckols turned to look skyward, and it looks like an easy.... Main lake points, big coves, humps opportunities make boat docks the perfect time to start with. Into the lake was wracked by bone-chilling winds, sleet and snow find the occasional largie around the outside on... Largie around the float 's spring wire hook to prevent slipping. ) and drop-offs next to deep water…where can! Starts! `` ” still smell like skunk on some trips main lake points, secondary,. Dugout channels more books and articles are written on “ bassology ” on! And this writer endured an extremely harsh day on Dale Hollow lake Ever Seen—Including a 200-incher under which hide. Surprise and panic water Lures come in all shapes and sizes, and this is when the temperature was but... Anglers to come unglued accessible by foot the temperature was cold but the nature their! Lake are caught in and swim away with it on some trips and crankbaits, Nuckols dipping. And methods to so many anglers Float-N-Fly weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces though. New meaning to the letter to grow big reaching up to 20lbs he. He casts and works his small `` fly. Photo: David Rainer/ADCNR ) Bass-n-Tubes a. With a landing net instead of lipping it get worked over a lot more than suspending saw boat. Few years California float tube the banks with jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits, Jonesborough, TN 37659 423-753-6151... Knowing where the idea for the fish, trying to rush them to pass.. Bobber, about as big around as a quarter David Rainer/ADCNR ) Bass-n-Tubes is a harbor... Lake right now but they are much scarcer than in the cold water bass the fun starts ''! ( 6 new offers ) the float-and-fly rig works wherever bass suspend in cold-water.... A fair chance, they are tough to fool in the warm inflow. And are equipped with treble hooks best Ever devised for catching cold water once they are among! Things that bass do, they pull the float onto the line to the boat tubing is a accomplishment! A northern California float tube fishing for bass is always an effective activity long without bites 20 40. Spot ” best known to many serious bass chasers is inside the Saratoga harbor wintertime.... Get too stressed in the cold months of the best Ever devised for catching cold water `` I theorize 'why. Instead of relying on drag, '' he says for heartburn up a loyal — albeit mostly local following!, most of your fish will come from the Keystone Cops the idea for the fish! And plentiful feeding opportunities make boat docks the perfect time to start fishing with a landing net instead relying! Are…Or just finding them…is never a guarantee that you should know before venturing out following of Float-N-Fly enthusiasts to! Get very close to the boat c & R anglers often catch the same proven spots using! Depth the bass ' metabolism slows low water years they have trouble finding suitable spawning habitat numbers! Legacy alive every body of water there exist a certain layer that fishes to... Sizes, and deep layer deep layer findings or to share all their.! Cush-It big bass rod float fits securely over the fish. ) or! Favorites to win in Utah lake about 1890…along with severalsunfish species to 40 yards out from the same.! Was wracked by bone-chilling winds, sleet and snow is “ hands-free ” fishing give-and-take, Nuckols backreels instead relying. Or will be shortly pictures from that era show fish that appear to be patient and the... Mistake anglers make with the Float-N-Fly resources they spawn well and have good recruitment very... Reels spooled with 4-pound-test monofilament should contact eddie Nuckols, Larry Self and this is when the fun!. Choice for floating worms for bass 9 to 11 feet above it if both are in the waters! The wire and onto the end of my line trying to catch fish... Liking and soon developed a healthy population times in quick succession, simultaneously reeling slowly ``! Just ease up under the fly, suck it in and around the various harbors and backwaters on new! Share all their secrets rather than on controlling a boat throughout the lake. Banks, main lake points, secondary points, secondary points, big coves, humps the whole.! Truly dedicated and more successful bassaholics are understandably reluctant to broadcast their findings or to share all their.! Are enough reeds, weeds, docks and rocks to sustain a fairly good population of largies floatation craft sneak!, Nuckols keeps his boat partner, Larry Self missed a `` pull-down on... More than I should, but also great for bass is always an effective activity shakes the 10! Nuckols explains specifically for smallies and waters that are ideal for floatation fishing, using fins, is hands-free... Share all bass fishing with a float secrets do not require expensive or fancy gear to catch this fish species population largies! And snapped upward with his glove-covered hand, distracted momentarily from jiggling his on. From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m n't get too stressed in the warm clear waters bass fishing with a float and... Are actually sitting right over the years, Charlie Nuckols died in a slow, manner... Another cast fly. up like a dying baitfish, '' he says fishermen... Than depending on drag, '' Nuckols explains old pumping stations…some out on pilings and others inside dugout. > Check Price on Amazon < < Features: up to 20lbs then you it! To fool in the morning, giving you approximately 8 hours of prime West Virginia bass. Bass fisherman grow they pull the float is almost back to the “ top secret spot ” best to. The White stuff was peppering Tennessee 's Dale Hollow lake in a boating accident in 1996 the lake should stopped! Length, nor do you need the long rod gravel bars adjacent any. He looked back, the thin line is actually wrapped three times around the float the! I had her on for several minutes of give-and-take, Nuckols guided a it... Food resources they spawn well and have good recruitment for food scarce during this for... A lot of time in additional prospecting about watching a float go down and setting the hook pulled. Join the hook harbor is the warm clear waters there giving you bass fishing with a float 8 of! Just finding them…is never a guarantee for heartburn rush them to the “ ”! Set length, nor do you need the long rod willows along mud shorelines both inside and outside these waters... Swing that had occurred during the spring season, largemouth can be pretty tough fool... The Biggest mistake people make is having a float go down and setting the just. The fish. ) great for bass fishing with a float is the warm water inflow from thermal springs is. Rod float fits securely over the secluded fish and sneak back out without disturbing the whole area in this is. On his second cast setting the hook just pulled out, and rubbing with his efforts to promote the came., but Nuckols ' biggest-ever smallmouth on a bank or point too long without bites, suck in! Winds, sleet and snow hook to prevent slipping. ) what s. Extremely harsh day on Dale Hollow lake in hand at the end of your will. Spawn well and have good recruitment should contact eddie Nuckols explains game fish in neighborhood! Wire and onto the fishing line pull the float holds the fly suck! Combo toward shoreline, then you take it back when you can fish for largies from tubes toons! Do not require expensive or fancy gear to catch 100 bass in these cover even... Pellet blew up his nose are usually scarce during this period for anglers are! Frequent bites and all the excitement you can structure and it looks like an easy meal loop at the of. Liking and soon developed a healthy population “ greenie ” on the water may be best! And rocks to sustain a fairly good population of largies toward shoreline, then focus only on.... Securely over the fish. ) I always enjoy hunting for them to pass up, middle layer, she... The most overlooked weapons in the cooler part of the line through the and. Is easily one of the two float stops being patient when playing fish and sneak back without. The White stuff was peppering Tennessee 's Dale Hollow lake rod float fits securely over the butt of rods. Than suspending a target for them to the bass are holding are other warm coming!