Here in Virginia this set up will, I am sure, work very well. There was not enough detail on the length and size of the leader (9ft 1x?) or the length and size of the tippet (18-24 inches, 1x?). I agree with your comment about mop flies. I fish the farm pond next door and the big blue gill do indeed inhale a mop fly...literally. 🙂
Leader size is definitely variable. You need something that will turn over the weight of a popper and another fly, so bigger is better. I'd definitely say at least 1x if not bigger. For me personally if I'm fishing where there are big bass (4 pounds plus) I'll use 50 pound mono to 40 pound mono to 20 pound mono then maybe down to 17 or 15. If you're just looking at panfish or smaller bass you can of course size that down. I like the big heavy butt section of 40 or 50 to help transfer energy to turn the flies over. Leader length depends on the fish usually. Bass aren't usually line shy, but cutting back from 9 feet will make an unruly rig a little easier to cast. I usually start at 9 feet and see how it feels. Similarly with the dropper I'd fish an appropriate line strength. For panfish 1 or 2 or even 3x should be fine. If you're fishing for trophy bass you'll want something beefier. Dropper length is another story. I like to think of it like nymphing for trout. You want the fly near the fish. So if you're fishing 2 feet of water a short dropper is perfectly fine. The deeper you get the more length you'll want, within reason. The longer the dropper the harder it will be to cast.
I usually start with something right around 9 feet. I don't usually have to go longer, especially in low light conditions, but in super clear low water you might want to try stretching it out a little
Great video. I've been watching some of your stuff over the past few months. I decided to look up fishing poppers with a drop shot streamer and there was you on top in the search results lmao. Thanks for the good content. If you're ever visiting Illinois, shoot me a message and I'll point you to some good rivers around the area!
Hey Ryan, I'm brand new to fly fishing. Went out for the first time today, and I attempted this rig with the small amount of flies I had. All I had was size 6 poppers, and some wooly buggers sizes 6,8,10, and 12. I tried using the popper with a size 6 wooly buggers and immediately noticed the popper sank. So I switched to size 10, it was better but still not completely floating. Switched again to size 12, the popper floated, but there wasn't much popping action, and I had trouble casting, a couple times the dropper would get caught somewhere on my line and would make a huge mess. Beginner casting mistake? Or could it be my gear (I was using 2X leader and tippet)? Should I use higher numbered tippet for the dropper? And how long should the dropper line be?
It'll always be harder to cast a two fly rig, especially two larger flies. I wouldn't want to cast a popper and a dropper with anything lighter than a six weight and I'd prefer an eight weight. If fishing for bass I usually go with a big popper, size 2 or bigger even. Then adjust my dropper to a size that won't sink it. I also adjust the length of the dropper for the conditions I'm fishing in. Deeper water deeper dropper. The Belgian/oval cast is something you can try to keep your rig from tangling. It's helpful for heavy flies and unruly rigs. Google it or search on UA-cam. It's a way to keep a fly in motion and eliminate hard stops that will cause tangles with a multiple fly rig.
I have tried a mop fly! The problem with the mop fly and largemouth is that usually where you have lmb you have bluegills or sunfish of some sort and they positively inhale a mop fly. That's great if you wanna catch panfish. Not so great if you just wanna target bass 🤣
Here in Virginia this set up will, I am sure, work very well. There was not enough detail on the length and size of the leader (9ft 1x?) or the length and size of the tippet (18-24 inches, 1x?). I agree with your comment about mop flies. I fish the farm pond next door and the big blue gill do indeed inhale a mop fly...literally. 🙂
Leader size is definitely variable. You need something that will turn over the weight of a popper and another fly, so bigger is better. I'd definitely say at least 1x if not bigger. For me personally if I'm fishing where there are big bass (4 pounds plus) I'll use 50 pound mono to 40 pound mono to 20 pound mono then maybe down to 17 or 15. If you're just looking at panfish or smaller bass you can of course size that down. I like the big heavy butt section of 40 or 50 to help transfer energy to turn the flies over. Leader length depends on the fish usually. Bass aren't usually line shy, but cutting back from 9 feet will make an unruly rig a little easier to cast. I usually start at 9 feet and see how it feels.
Similarly with the dropper I'd fish an appropriate line strength. For panfish 1 or 2 or even 3x should be fine. If you're fishing for trophy bass you'll want something beefier. Dropper length is another story. I like to think of it like nymphing for trout. You want the fly near the fish. So if you're fishing 2 feet of water a short dropper is perfectly fine. The deeper you get the more length you'll want, within reason. The longer the dropper the harder it will be to cast.
Surf works great for SBass also.Thanks for sharing!
Informative video. How long of a leader do you generally use to the popper?
I usually start with something right around 9 feet. I don't usually have to go longer, especially in low light conditions, but in super clear low water you might want to try stretching it out a little
Pretty much like popping cork for reds or soecs
Exactly!
Great video. I've been watching some of your stuff over the past few months. I decided to look up fishing poppers with a drop shot streamer and there was you on top in the search results lmao. Thanks for the good content. If you're ever visiting Illinois, shoot me a message and I'll point you to some good rivers around the area!
Thanks for the kind words!
Hey Ryan, I'm brand new to fly fishing. Went out for the first time today, and I attempted this rig with the small amount of flies I had. All I had was size 6 poppers, and some wooly buggers sizes 6,8,10, and 12. I tried using the popper with a size 6 wooly buggers and immediately noticed the popper sank. So I switched to size 10, it was better but still not completely floating. Switched again to size 12, the popper floated, but there wasn't much popping action, and I had trouble casting, a couple times the dropper would get caught somewhere on my line and would make a huge mess. Beginner casting mistake? Or could it be my gear (I was using 2X leader and tippet)? Should I use higher numbered tippet for the dropper? And how long should the dropper line be?
It'll always be harder to cast a two fly rig, especially two larger flies. I wouldn't want to cast a popper and a dropper with anything lighter than a six weight and I'd prefer an eight weight. If fishing for bass I usually go with a big popper, size 2 or bigger even. Then adjust my dropper to a size that won't sink it. I also adjust the length of the dropper for the conditions I'm fishing in. Deeper water deeper dropper.
The Belgian/oval cast is something you can try to keep your rig from tangling. It's helpful for heavy flies and unruly rigs. Google it or search on UA-cam. It's a way to keep a fly in motion and eliminate hard stops that will cause tangles with a multiple fly rig.
Thanks Ryan. Appreciate the straightforward helpful video!!
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Dropper too long, gets tangled every cast
@@bradleyhattendorf7136 You can always try a stiffer material for your dropper. It will never be something that casts well.
Great video, bro. I’m trying this method this afternoon!
Nice! Good luck!
did you try the mop fly
I have tried a mop fly! The problem with the mop fly and largemouth is that usually where you have lmb you have bluegills or sunfish of some sort and they positively inhale a mop fly. That's great if you wanna catch panfish. Not so great if you just wanna target bass 🤣