what is the best fly pattern

[mdl]

I just started fishing the lake and have not had any success with the fly rod...I have used a white and chartreuse clouser and a white and orange/brown clouser (pearl flash tied in each) on a number 6 hook with dumbell eyes...any other recommendations on fly patterns...also would be interested on what lures to use with the bait caster...tried zara baby spooks and chug bugs on top (only one take...small LM) and storm crank baits (3 inch) in dark red/gold and gray and white....one take (small TUC)...any recommendations

[Stan Wright]

It's been my experience that when the peacock bass turn on and start feeding they will pretty much hit any fly. I do have a favorite.

My first choice is a small white streamer fly tied on a "keel" hook. I like the keel hook because it seems to be fairly weedless. I like white, because I can see it. (yellow, pink, chartreuse, orange, or combinations of those colors work too)
I think a little iridescent flash-a-boo in the fly helps. (the shad in the lake are small, 1 to 3 inches, and their scales have a pearl/aqua sheen to them)

Here are 3 flys I just got from Nervous Water Fly Shop. http://www.nervouswaterhawaii.com/guideinfo.htm
Two streamers (Maltese Minnows) and a fly that looks like one of the live baits from the pet store. (Mollie... feeder fish)


The way we fish for peacock bass is to follow the shoreline, casting the fly in tight to the edge and stripping it rapidly back out to the boat. (Cast right into the grass and brush.... now you see why I like weedless flys and lures.) The little fish that the peacock bass eat are tight against the shore.... the peacock bass are always on the move patrolling the shoreline..... just keep moving till you find the fish.

I like a 5wt or 6wt flyrod... weight forward floating line and a 5 to 7 foot tapered leader. (6# or 12# pound test.... peacock bass are NOT leader shy) Chris like a 3 to 4 foot leader and strips the fly all the way back out to the boat... (you never know when or where the big one will strike) He wants that fly in the water as long as possable.

[mdl]

Stan,

Thanks for info...will give it a try the next trip out and let you know how it turns out. Great site and forum.

[Ca_Bass]

I would also suggest using a white woolly bugger with a pear estaz body. I usually go for size 2-6. For the most part, I think I catch more fish on the smaller 6 size hooks, and catch less but bigger ones on the hooks around the 2 range. If you're in schooling fish they'll whack just about anything that is small and fast but don't hesitate to slow it down and see if that works better. I haven't really noticed much difference in success with lighter or heaver flies so I just tie them somewhere in between. I think white is probably my favorite color because I think the tucs see it better in the muddy water. Hopefully this helps. Tucs love to eat my marribou flies..or they hate em so much they gotta kill em. The last time I fished I caught zero fish, but a week earlier before it started raining I caught 30+ on flies. I think water clarity is a HUGE factor in having success on Lake Wilson along with water temperature. Lure wise I usually use the small suspending rapalas or pin minnows..I like the rapalas more because they have better hooks. I have had some success(not as much) on crankbaits and spinnerbaits either shad patter or chartreuse for the tucs. I usually fish deep diving crankbaits orange or red in color for LGM bass. Whether its bass or tucs I try to make parrallel cast to the shore and run the crankbaits through as many bushes as I can, much harder when I'm fishing with a partner. Although I've caught less fish on the crankbaits and spinner baits my larger fish where caught on them. But then again you can catch some decent fish on the smaller flies as well.

Good luck and maybe I'll run into you this weekend..my last fishing trip at lake wilson until I get back from Florida in June....hopefully the fishing gods will make it a good one. Apparently the fishing gods didn't want me to catch a final bonefish before I leave....I guess I'll just have to try to catch a tarpon while in FL.