Bass enjoy eating frogs that swim on the surface near their lair. An olive and white deerhair kicking frog bass bug is ideal to tempt largemouth bass out from their ambush spot.

DEERHAIR BASS BUG FLY PATTERNS. Hook size 6 - $US each

Large trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass are not energetic hunters. They like to ambush their prey. They find a location that offers protective cover and wait for their next meal to swim by. Anything causing a disturbance on the surface instanly attracts their attention. A swimming frog represents a very substantive tasty meal. As you can see from the photograph below small swimming frogs are easy prey for the bigger fish. The deerhair kicking frog bass bug was developed to float on the surface and be stripped on the retrieve; short pulls on the line will imitate the disturbance caused by a small live frog as it swims near the surface of a river or lake.

Bass Bugs are also ideal for Pike, large Trout and Atlantic Salmon when they will not take smaller flies. The hair above the head of the Diving Bugs has been cut at an angle to make the fly dart and dive during the retrieve. It making them fascinating animated prey for the larger fish. Bass hide from their own predators by seeking cover. This also protects them from the discomfort of strong sunshine. They prosper when they find a location where they can eat in safety without spending too much energy in catching food. This is why they like to lie in ambush for their prey. Much of their prey lives in or near shallow water. They understand that anything that is on the surface splashing around is usually out of its natural environment and vulnerable. This makes them easy to catch.

Bass always keep an eye on what is happening on the surface and rarely refuse to eat off the top. Any insect or terrestrial animal that falls into the water is normally helpless. Bass bugging is great fun. A bait fish splashing and slapping around neat the surface sends out signals that it is disorientated or injured. Poppers and Diver patterns are good imitators to use. Amphibians like frogs are not that good at swimming and no match for a hungry Bass who wants an easy evening meal so tie on a kicking frog pattern. Try using a floating Hopper dry fly to imitate a locust, cricket or grasshopper that has misjudged his landing spot and is now trying to swim to the shore. Bass are opportunistic feeders. If anything suggests food they will try and eat it so long as they do not have to venture too far from their hiding place. You can have hours of fun fishing from the shore, wadding in the shallows or sitting in a boat close to the shore looking for that bass hiding place.

Bass bug fly fishing tip
Are you fed up with overcrowded bass boat fishing waters? Then try something different. Explore the streams and rivers that feed your Bass lake or pond. The bass consider them part of their territory and some use them to hunt for food. I found this out by accident whilst fly fishing for trout using a big mayfly pattern and landing a three pound bass. These tributaries are normally too small for boats and with luck you will be on your own.

Unnatural smells can deter bass from taking your bass bug. If it smells nasty they will not eat it so be careful when using gasoline, suntan cream, beer, and insect repellent. Rinse your hands in the water before tying on you bass bug

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