OK, so I would like to start using woolly buggers as part of my repertoire of lures I employ at the Berry. I’m not a fly fisherman. I would be using the buggers from my boat and only with a spin-cast rod/reel.
I’m hoping someone out there that is experienced using buggers wouldn’t mind telling me what are the best color patterns for the Berry and best techniques for working woolly buggers from a spin-cast rod.
Do you recommend I use split-shot or a casting bubble with a bugger? Is tipping buggers with worm or chub helpful?
PM’s are quite welcome if you would rather not share your advice out here in the open.
email me at work if you can, or call. ill bring in some of the ones i tie and swear by and share what knowledge i have of spin fishing them if you want
Just as with all other lures, the best colors for feathery creations will depend on what the fish are eating and at what depth.
This time of year white is a good color. Ditto for brown and green combos when the fish are chasing crawdads. Basic black is always good. And sometimes a cinnamon color works well. Big double renegades…or flies with renegade colors…will catch almost anything.
Some guys do very well fishing these flies behind a water-filled bubble. Others slow drift or troll them flatline with no weight. Still others pinch on a split shot above the flies.
Just a suggestion: you might also try using marabou jigs in the same colors as the flies. I make a whole line that several BFTers use a lot for trout all over Utah. I use them a lot myself…either by themselves or rigged as jig and fly combos. Here’s a few pics of the colors I make both in buggers and in jigs.
Water filled bubble (all the way) above a swivel, about four feet of leader, chuck er out, maybe do a count, and slow retrieve.
its a great way to actively fish and enjoy the scenery!
Buggers have been my go to for many many years trolling. Colors depend on the day, location, species. I like to slow troll them and give them a quick forward jerk every 15 seconds or so. I find this extra movement will trigger a lot more strikes than a constant trolling motion.
Split shot right at the knot. Makes it a “lead head”, but not really. I’ve tossed buggers on spin gear in rivers longer than I can remember. Forget the bubble part. You can change the split-shot weight in a matter of seconds. With braid on your spin reel, or even light mono, you can cast plenty far without a bubble, and always be in direct contact with your bugger to feel what’s going on, and impart whatever action/presentation you want. You can’t fish it wrong.
Jim, your split shot method sounds a bit more finesse like than the casting bubble method. I like that. I think I will give that a try. I will also have some youngsters in my boat too and may resort to a bubble for them … or not.
email me at work if you can, or call. ill bring in some of the ones i tie and swear by and share what knowledge i have of spin fishing them if you want
You catch fish at Strawberry…??? LOL
Here is my choice also in Black and Olive and Burnt Orange always…
try using marabou jigs in the same colors as the flies. I make a whole line that several BFTers use a lot for trout all over Utah. I use them a lot myself…either by themselves or rigged as jig and fly combos. Here’s a few pics of the colors I make both in buggers and in jigs.
Hey TubeDude don’t tempt my addiction to your gear…just one question that only needs a reply or two…ever have any success with marabou’s through the ice in the winter?
“ever have any success with marabou’s through the ice in the winter?”
There are a lot of guys who fish the heck out of marabous under the ice. Everything from tiny crappie jigs to big bad 'bous on Strawberry. I make several that have glow heads and/or bodies…and I can include strands of glow flashabou in the tails.
The great thing about marabou is that it is ALIVE in the water…even very cold water that slows down the wiggle on plastic. That makes it better for fishing under the ice or early in the year in the cold waters of ice out conditions.
**One of the jigs I make that gets a lot of attention on the Berry is the “Strawberry Special”. Glow head, white sparkle body and chartreuse tail. **
hey now that was only when my scadden was new and i needed to get the kinks out… im still leary on having fishin_gal come with me up there this weekend for fear of being outfished by the wife again
“ever have any success with marabou’s through the ice in the winter?”
There are a lot of guys who fish the heck out of marabous under the ice. Everything from tiny crappie jigs to big bad 'bous on Strawberry. I make several that have glow heads and/or bodies…and I can include strands of glow flashabou in the tails.
The great thing about marabou is that it is ALIVE in the water…even very cold water that slows down the wiggle on plastic. That makes it better for fishing under the ice or early in the year in the cold waters of ice out conditions.
**One of the jigs I make that gets a lot of attention on the Berry is the “Strawberry Special”. Glow head, white sparkle body and chartreuse tail. **
Oh no I am starting to Relapse!!! Gonna be pestering the hell out of you this up-coming ice season for some gear! Just to think that I was telling the twin that ice fishing is cheaper than summer fishing, as we only use one “special out of state (live line baits) jig for all species at every water”.
Now we might have to test out the Tube Dude market![fishin]
Just as with all other lures, the best colors for feathery creations will depend on what the fish are eating and at what depth.
