Bass & Panfish Fishing Flies

Look to buggy flies, poppers, and minnow patterns to hook everything from crappie to bluegill. The best selling flies for panfish include the Clouser Minnow, Lefty’s Deceiver, the Bass and Sneaky Pete Poppers, and the Freshwater Clouser. Elk Hair Caddis are also a great choice for panfish.

Largemouths can’t resist Bass Popper, Dancing Frog, or Hair Bass Bug flies. If you’ve got smallmouths in your pond, tie on a Sneaky Pete or any streamer pattern.

12 is a great all-around fly size for panfish. Size 10 poppers also work well.

Select size 6 flies or larger for bass. Both largemouths and smallmouths are in the habit of targeting fish, bugs, and amphibians similar to a size 6 or larger fly.

If you’re just starting out, use a traditional 5-weight rod and a weight-forward line with a 3 or 4X, 7- to 9-foot leader. Poppers, minnow patterns, and buggy flies work for panfish.

Flies that realistically mimic their favorite foods attract bass rather than colors alone. Colors play an important role in impersonating minnows, crayfish, spiders, frogs, and bright, buggy delicacies. But the overall shape, movement, and appearance of a real meal are what will get the monsters smashing your fly.

Lifelike Flies To Target Bass, Pike & Panfish

Choose lifelike fishing flies to effectively target bass and panfish. Our bass and panfish flies realistically mimic food sources like minnows and bugs. From insects or frogs struggling on the surface to healthy underwater snacks like baitfish or crabs, our collection of bass and panfish flies includes realistic imitations of irresistible meals. Just get these flies to hungry fish to earn an exhilarating fight. Strip noisy poppers across the surface to create a ruckus—the commotion will be too much for feisty bass to resist. When your target is a predator fish that will eat anything in sight, offer up some tempting tidbits. Lifelike movement, buggy silhouettes, mesmerizing eyes, and wiggly bits come together in tried-and-true fly patterns made to bring in your catch of choice. Baitfish and crayfish imitations can make all the difference between a day on the water and a fly-fishing adventure. Fill your fly box with these versatile flies made to entice aggressive feeders, and you’ll have some fantastic fish stories to tell.