Fly Fishing Bubble: Fly Fish While Using Spin Fishing Gear

Anyone who spends time "wetting a line" in an attempt to catch freshwater fish is aware of the fact that insects are a major food source for many species of freshwater game fish. There are literally tens of thousands of insects species and various species of fish rely on these insects as a food source. Whether underwater or floating on the surface, there is little doubt that insects are a major food source for a great many species of freshwater fish.

Insects are difficult to use as bait for attempting to catch fish for many reasons, which is why an entire style of fishing was created many years ago called fly fishing. Ever heard of it? Of course you have because fly fishing has become extremely popular in recent years. The style of fishing known as fly fishing was created as a way to cast and fish effectively with lightweight artificial flies. An artificial fly is the best and most realistic way to mimic a live insect and fly fishing is a very effective way to fish while using artificial flies as bait.

What's interesting about this is that many anglers don't want to go to the expense, both monetarily and with their time, to learn a whole new style of fishing, which is where the fly fishing bubble comes into play. With a fly bubble you are able to use artificial flies while using spinning gear. I realize that this might seem strange, but it's nonetheless true. With a casting bubble you can fly fish while using spin fishing gear, and you can do so in a very effective manner.

The fly fishing bubble itself is a small plastic sphere that slips onto your fishing line similar to the way a slip bobber does. The bubble has a 'stopper' running through the center of it that allows water to enter the bubble when the stopper is depressed and held beneath the water. Adding water obviously adds weight, which enables lightweight artificial flies to be cast and retrieved in an effective manner.

With practice this "fly fishing" technique is a great addition to any spin fisherman's arsenal. The technique is effective for many species of freshwater fish from large and small mouth bass to trout and even pan fish. The length and weight of your leader can easily be changed to account for many different types of artificial flies. As you become more adept at using a fly fishing bubble you will wonder how you ever went fishing without one in your tackle box because it is such an effective way to fish with an artificial fly while using "normal" fishing gear.

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.