Fishing a Casting Bubble - Using Casting Bubbles to Fish Flies With Spinning Gear

Did you realize that its possible to fish with flies without going through the song and dance known affectingly as fly fishing? Well, it is and the way to accomplish this task is through the use of a casting bubble. By using a casting bubble you can fish with flies while using traditional spinning gear. If you have ever wanted to use flies for fishing but don't want to use traditional fly fishing equipment and techniques, this is the answer.

Setting up a casting bubble is quite simple. Your line is simply threaded through the bubble from the narrow end of the bubble stop, and a swivel is attached to the end of your line. In many instances a cinch knot is the best knot to use, but any strong knot will work fine. At this point a seven to ten foot leader is attached to the swivel and a fly to the end of the leader. This is what is known as a casting bubble rig.

Fishing a casting bubble is quite simple as well and best accomplished in slow to non moving water such as a lake or large pool in a river. With practice casting bubbles can be used in river fishing situations, but for the person who is new to fishing a fly in this manner, slow and/or non moving water is best. The biggest key is to retrieve your casing bubble slowly.

Dry and wet flies should be retrieved very slowly as if the bug is drifting towards the shore. A slight twitching motion can be added for added realism. The bubble itself should only make a slight wake when being retrieved. The bubble is not only to aid in casting the rig, but acts as a 'strike' indicator as well much the way a traditional bobber does, so keep an eye on the bubble itself during the retrieve. Submerged flies and streamers should be retrieved with more of a stop & go retrieve, adding a 'pulling' motion as you see fit. These flies have more of a swimming action because of the manner in which they are tied.

The bottom line is that using casting bubbles is the way to fly fish without having to use fly fishing equipment. If you have ever thought about adding flies to your fishing arsenal and are a traditional spin fisherman, casting bubbles are the best way to accomplish this task. Flies are effective bait for many species of fish from bass (both large and small mouth) to of course trout.