Bass Fishing’s Version of Dry Flies for Trout

[In addition to being one of our website’s most trusted advisors and contributors on issues relating to Brazil’s varied fisheries, Alex Koike is also a largemouth bass fanatic and – like us – obsessed with advanced JDM tackle. Here’s his take on one trend that he’s successfully added to his own repertoire. Many of these items are now becoming available from US retailers. Try it yourself and get ahead of the curve.] 

One of the most iconic experiences for the advanced fly angler is watching the trout slowly rise to the surface and delicately inhale a dainty dry fly. It’s a moment that inspires a variety of feelings: anticipation, anxiety, and, if the fish attacks, sheer delight. 

Now, bass anglers can enjoy the same range of feelings using spinning tackle. Indeed, the same subtleties that make a dry fly so productive for trout also make this not just a novelty, but also a remarkably effective presentation for bass. 

To experience this you need to try the “mushi,” a style of artificial lure created in Japan that are designed to accurately imitate insects like beetles and dragonflies. This category of lure is extremely productive in sight fishing, on very hard days, or when there is a lot of fishing pressure. Like dry fly fishing for trout, it’s a very visual, exciting way to chase your prey, but in Japan it is also known as a tournament-winning tactic. Now the crossover to other countries has started. Daisuke Aoki, a Japanese pro who has experienced success in the Bassmaster Opens, often uses this lure as one of his secret weapons. 

The technique is fairly simple: You cast the fly close to likely fish-holding cover and shake it frantically to emulate an insect flailing in the water. Advanced users of this technique actually try to throw the lure over a thin branch so that it dangles seductively and merely taps the surface, like a truly panicked insect. With only the bait in contact with the water, it’s as finesse-oriented as even a weightless dry fly. 

This is a remarkably fun way to capture bass, and you’ll be surprised at how effective it is. Be sure to try it. 

There are numerous YouTube videos demonstrating the technique. Here’s one from Evergreen:

 And another from Pure Fishing: