Stealth for Coldwater Bass

Rigging Methods

If there’s one area in which Headrick and Coan disagree, it has to do with the best way to rig the float and fly. Headrick is a traditionalist. He opts for clear 4-pound-test monofilament, ties his jig on with a palomar knot, and affixes the bobber at the desired level by wrapping his line tightly around the bottom bobber clip three times. Though he acknowledges that this method of attaching the bobber can weaken his already thin line, he likes the fact that the bobber is easy to adjust with this rig, and he gets tremendous casting distance using light line—an important consideration when fishing extremely clear waters.

Coan has found a way that’s more forgiving to his guide clients, who often have never used light tackle for big smallmouths. Instead of monofilament, he opts for smoke-color 6-pound-test Berkley Fireline. He ties this to a #4 three-way swivel. To one of the swivel arms he ties 6-pound-test fluorocarbon line (he prefers Berkley Vanish or P-Line) in the length he wishes to suspend his jig. To the other arm of the three-way swivel, Coan attaches the bottom clip of his bobber.

When he’s done, Coan has a rig that’s stronger than the traditional monofilament float-and-fly rig so it can stand up to the rigors of a long day on the water without much retying. It’s ideal for novices but works well for experienced anglers, too. If this rig concedes anything to the traditional rig that Headrick prefers, it’s in casting distance.

Final Tips

Most float-and-fly fishing is done with light-action 8- to 10-foot spinning rods. Since sensitivity isn’t paramount (you simply watch the float), opt for something light with a parabolic action that will absorb strong runs from powerful fish.

“For float-and-fly fishing, almost any quality spinning reel will work, but it’s got to have a high gear-ratio and a smooth drag,” Headrick says. “A high gear-ratio allows you to keep up with darting fish. And with such light line, you need a smooth drag to subdue big smallmouths that are amazingly powerful, even in cold water.”

There’s still something magical about watching a float on the surface of your favorite fishing waters as it dances, then disappears. The thrill of a strike is as intense as when you were a kid, and the fish fight just as hard. Though these methods originated in mid-South reservoirs, they will catch bass in rivers and lakes across the continent.

* Ken Duke, Marietta, Georgia, is a longtime outdoor writer. Contact Stephen Headrick at 931/243-6133 or visit punisherjigs.com. Bob Coan is at 866/233-2471.