Salt water fly Bass leader length

Fishing-blog Reader question “When I am Salt water fly fishing for Bass what leader length should I use?”

This is a hard one to answer as it depends on many things which include the following,

• The length of your Fishing rod

• Your saltwater fly fishing casting ability

• The conditions on the day

• Clarity of water

Ok so how do these factors effect the leader length when Bass fishing

The length of your Fishing rod is a simple one, but over looked. If your leader length is longer than your fly rod you have two simple problems, the last one being the biggest problem. When you want to inspect your fly or change it you need to pull the leader into the rod rings. This can make it hard work to get the line back out again. When you hook your prize Bass, you play it for 20 mins. In a small swell, you win the fight and bring the fish towards you on its side. To get the fish close you have the rod high and you pull the line in, the Bass sees the shore and has one last bid for freedom. SNAP! The leader caught in the rod tip because once again you had to draw it into the eyes. With modern leader joints these should not cause you too much grief, but I do not like doing it.

Your saltwater fly fishing casting ability- Put very simply the better you are at casting a salt water fly, the longer the leader you can manage without air knots.

The conditions on the day - Very similar to the above point. When you are salt water fly fishing for Bass the slightest breeze will effect your cast and your ability to manage a longer leader, combine that with your profeciency and use manageable leader lengths.

Clarity of the Water - The clearer the water the longer the leader and the better presentation required. The more cloudy the water the more you can get away with shorter leaders for Bass fishing.

So in conclusion I would never go longer than the rod you are using, I would use as light a leader as you can 6 - 12 lbs max and I would use a product such as floro carbon which is ment to be invisible to Bass in the sea!!

Whenever salt water fly fishing wear protective shades!! You don’t want to be casting your eyeball to the schools of Bass, do you !