The Equalizer Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Fly (and Redfish Fly).

[@lucasevangelous2245]

What weight rod do you throw this with ? Have a bunch tied up and can't wait to use then thank for the awesome tutorial!!

[@toflyfish]

Hey Lucas, I have thrown these with anywhere from a 6 to 10 wt depending on the situation and species. If you're going after LM bass, then you can throw these flies in 1/0 to 4/0 (and bigger) with no problem at all. A stout 8 to 9 weight would be my choice, particularly if I'm adding weight. If you've tied these a bit smaller, say 1 to 1/0, then a 7 to 8 wt. If you've gone relatively micro in 4 to 2, then a 6 to 7 would work. However, I usually go heavier unless the weight of my line hitting the water will scare the fish. Smallmouth will, at times, require smaller flies. Keep a tight connection to the fly and try three main retrieves: 1) crawl along the bottom with occasional twitches, 2) crawl/twitch along the bottom or in the water column with a sharp single strip followed by a rest (this will pull the fly up and let it fall with a subtle wiggle--feel for the take on the pause and fall), 3) burn the fly across the bottom with a heavy sinking line and a short leader (keep the fly near the bottom). If you latch into a lunker or two, feel free to shoot me a pic of your trophies at toflyfish.com, if you like. Good luck!

[@lucasevangelous2245]

Awesome thank you so much ! And I will !

[@MNSkeetFamily]

Awesome pattern! A little frustrating initially by the eye, but after two under my belt I was able to keep things clean like you do.

[@toflyfish]

+Doug Rorer Good to hear it, Doug! The GSP really helps a lot since you can make it very fine by twisting it. This helps you to finish the head under almost any circumstances. Also, you can try it on a longer necked hook, but I like to keep my options open for hook choice. Let me know how they work for you. Also, sweet smallie!

[@donaldplank54]

great fly reminds me a lot of a crayfish pattern and you're right craft fur is awesome in freshwater as well as salt

[@toflyfish]

+donald plank Thanks Donald! Fleeing crayfish are definitely one of the prey items I had in mind. Thanks again.

[@vasik9719]

Practical and efficient! Thanks for sharing!

[@toflyfish]

Thanks so much!

[@luapsb4l136]

freaking love this pattern. tying it now and can't wait to try it here in Colorado.

[@toflyfish]

Awesome, Paul! Colorado's got some nice warm-water stuff for sure. Let me know how it works for you. Thanks again!

[@luapsb4l136]

I will brother. keep up the work you do with the vids and thank you for the comic commentary you provide. Cracks me up.

[@marianofly]

I loved it to try for Tarariras in Argentina ( you may know that fish like "Wolf Fish")... Which material did you use for the head/ belly? Thanks

[@toflyfish]

Mucho gusto, Mariano! We've gone for a fish called, a bowfin. It's similar to the wolf fish. I'd love to chase wolf fish down there. They look mean! Here's a link to the recipe: toflyfish.com/equalizer-bass-fly-pattern/ Thanks!

[@whitechin99]

Nice tie Justin. Ever try that fly with a rattle? Nice job on your website btw. That'll kill a lot of idle time in the winter. Subscribed.

[@toflyfish]

Hey thanks, Whitechin! It's been proven that some fish absolutely love rattles. Smallmouth and even largemouth are definitely among them. As far as rattles go on flies, I'm not convinced that they make any difference at all because it's so hard to get any significant sound from the fly. Some very famous and amazing guides swear by them, while others share my opinion. If you wanted to add a rattle, you could add one out the back or attach it to the bottom with mylar and acrylic etc. If nothing else, it would add some cool action to the fly, so in this light, it would probably be a cool idea. Give it a shot and let me know. I would attach the rattle out the back as a starting point. See this video to see how to do this. It's the first thing they attach to the fly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4GUlpygf9ylptU Thanks again!

[@troyhunt1238]

Nice! Just comb out the lazer dub with a piece of velcro to make it easy.

[@toflyfish]

Hey Troy, Thanks for the comment. I always keep a piece of Velcro attached to my bodkin. It's indispensable at times. Thanks again.

[@almoschetti5503]

Great looking fly and want to start flying for smallmouth. Just started tying about a year ago and what is craft fur and where do you get it. Thanks for the video

[@toflyfish]

+Al Moschetti Hi Al! Craft fur is a synthetic tying material, and it's available at almost every fly shop around. You can get it all over online as well. I prefer Hareline's Extra Select Craft Fur. It's longer than most other craft fur. Craft fur is most often associated with saltwater fly fishing, but there is no reason for this at all. If you need some suggestions on rivers or fly shops in your area shoot me an email on our site. Here is the link to the article on the fly pattern and also a podcast on river smallmouth (superb!). Good luck! toflyfish.com/equalizer-bass-fly-pattern/ toflyfish.com/trophy-river-smallmouth-bass-fly-fishing/

[@frizellculley1238]

Question I see some flies being tied with a hook point on top and some tying him on the hook point down. So can you tell me the difference for this tying message.

[@toflyfish]

Hi Frizell. The main reason to tie a fly hook up is to avoid snagging the bottom. This happens a lot with species such as carp, bonefish, permit, smallmouth, largemouth, and many other species of fish and with Euro nymphs. Another reason is to make the fly more weedless, like with this fly, or to give the fly a certain action as with Clousers. This gives the fly a kicking motion that attracts many different species of fish. Hope that helps!

[@frizellculley1238]

@@toflyfish thank you makes a lot of sense.

[@ford_connor]

Do you think that buck tail would work compared to the craft fur? I tied one using buck tail and in the water it has a great presentation, but it kinda seemed to kick too much... I'm not sure if this is because of the buck tail or if that's how it's supposed to be. Great video tho

[@toflyfish]

Hey Connor. You can absolutely use whatever you like. Bucktail is more buoyant, so the fly will not sink as well, but it will produce more resistance and push a bit more water. I personally use this fly when I'm fishing close to the bottom, so I prefer to have a less buoyant material. I have had fish pick it off before it gets anywhere near the bottom though. It's great when largemouth are picking off frogs jumping into the water. The action is supposed to have a jump. You can read the article on it here, and this lets you know how I fish it. I want action in my flies. I try to have flies that have different action rather than just different colors etc. Here are a couple articles from the site. Thanks! toflyfish.com/equalizer-bass-fly-pattern/ toflyfish.com/fly-pattern-action-fresh-and-saltwater-fly-fishing/

[@darinp02]

If you helicopter the wire it breaks cleanly so no need too ruin scissors

[@toflyfish]

Thanks Darin! I am far too lazy for helicoptering wire or lead. I have been using the same scissors for like a decade for wire and lead. They cost $5 originally. I do like the elegance of the helicopter, but I haven't mastered it for speed. I appreciate the tip though!

[@bedlyblaster]

works great for smallmouth and largemouth in michigan

[@toflyfish]

Hey thanks, Bedlyblaster! I've hit quite a few largemouth bass on it in the Upper Peninsula and the little lakes they have up there. It's nice since it cuts through vegetation and the largemouth just crush it the second it dives into the water. Glad to hear that the Michigan smallmouth find it tasty as well. You've got some beautiful water up there! Thanks for chiming in!

[@danieldistefano6637]

Would you recommend a sinking line with these flies?

[@toflyfish]

Hey Daniel, 100%. Depending on the size of the fly and how bulky you make the head, you might use a fairly fast sinking line actually. I've had largemouth in particular pound these the second they hit the water, almost like a frog, while using a heavy sink tip. If you're fishing for redfish, you can modify the fly a little bit to use a stronger hook and a floating line. Hope that helps!

[@0036rg]

Cool. I'll be trying that fly. Even throw it at some redfish if opportunity arises.

[@toflyfish]

+Randall Gundayao Awesome, I appreciate it, Randall! Let me know the results. Also, if you didn't see it, I give some tips and background on the fly on the site article. Good luck!

[@theoutdoorangler1173]

Great video man

[@toflyfish]

Hey, thanks a bunch! Glad you got something out of it.

[@d.g.outdooradventures]

love the humor

[@toflyfish]

Hey, YFNF, glad I didn't put you to sleep. Thanks for the feedback!

[@tylercasey21]

What's the thread?

[@toflyfish]

Hey Tyler, here's the full recipe. I assume you're talking about the GSP. Thanks! toflyfish.com/equalizer-bass-fly-pattern/

[@TheEastBayAnglers]

what is the glue you use ?

[@toflyfish]

Hey EBA, I use Zap-A-Gap. Sorry for the late response. Here's the recipe. toflyfish.com/equalizer-bass-fly-pattern/

[@caniaccharlie]

Really nice looking pattern, you could adapt it's size and color to mimic almost anything. I need some better craft fur and GSP!

[@toflyfish]

Hey thanks, Charlie. I love patterns that are adaptable and that mimic a lot of stuff. GSP and Hareline Extra Select craft fur are awesome. I've found that even with this company, the fur length will actually vary from package to package. If you have a chance, pick the stuff out in person so you can get the longest stuff in the shop. You could also call the shop and have them send you the longest stuff. I will get various sizes of fur since I tie smaller patterns at times, like the Craft Fur Hollow Fleye: toflyfish.com/craft-fur-hollow-fleye/ Good luck, and let me know how it fishes for you!

[@caniaccharlie]

I just ordered some materials to tie up a few of these in some olives and browns!

[@Guitarplayer219]

100% reds in my area will eat this. Going to try it out

[@toflyfish]

Awesome! Let me know how they do for you on reds.

[@brewerbutler9588]

What size hook is this

[@toflyfish]

+Brewer Butler Hey, Brewer! This link will give you everything you need, but feel free to alter the hook (bigger or smaller) to the species. This is a 2/0 and meant for smallmouth. When smallmouth are neutral or lethargic, I would use a smaller hook and/or fish the fly with sharp strips and then let it sit. Thanks! toflyfish.com/equalizer-bass-fly-pattern/

[@brewerbutler9588]

+toflyfish thanks!

[@MrGTroutman]

I like it!

[@toflyfish]

Thanks, Gary! Today I was sliding an olive and white version over lily pads and then letting it drop down in the openings. Largemouth and smallmouth love this pattern. Thanks for the comment.

[@K3Flyguy]

Great video, lose the music, not needed, or wanted. I subscribed.

[@toflyfish]

Thanks for the sub, Michael!