Tennessee angler, Charlie Nuckols, often saw bass suspended on his depthfinder near bluffs and steep shorelines of the highland reservoirs in his home state, but pondered for years on how to catch them.
These fish seemed timid during the cold water period, only gathering around bait balls that contained small shad. They were too deep for traditional plastic lures and not aggressive enough to be interested in vertically jigged spoons.
After years of trial-and-error, Nuckols’ developed a unique system using a long rod, a small bobber and a jig that resembled a trout fly more than a bass jig. He called it the ‘Float-N-Fly’ system.
Nuckols drowned in a boating accident 15 years ago but he developed a cadre of followers - believers who refined the techniques of their angling idols. One such disciple is Jim Duckworth from Lebanon, Tenn., a renowned multi-species guide, tackle designer, seminar speaker and producer of fishing videos.
Leaning on the knowledge of fish behavior learned as a professional diver and the experience of others, Duckworth refined Nuckols’ system.
Several years ago, Jim Nolan, touring tournament pro and Ranger Public Relations representative managed to schedule two days with Duckworth so we could learn his version of the ‘Float-N-Fly’ system on Tennessee’s Center Hill Reservoir.
“The Float-N-Fly is a deadly system in the winter; many local tournaments are won using it,” said Duckworth.
A chilly winter rain greeted us the first day as we launched Duckworth’s boat. Heavy rains, unusual for a Tennessee winter, had been pounding the area and the lake rose 14 feet in three days.
“The rising lake is confusing the bass but we should still catch a few fish,” said Duckworth as we headed for the nearest bluff. The Float-N-Fly system capitalizes on the difficult circumstances of winter fishing, i.e., suspended fish with low metabolic rates.
“Bass are cold-blooded and when the water temperature falls the fish’s metabolism slows dramatically. In fact, they may eat less than once a week,” said Duckworth.
He believes the cold water not only lowers a bass’s metabolism and digestive system, but it also affects their muscles.
“Cold water hampers the major muscles needed for fast swimming but the small muscles for low speed maneuvering are less affected,” said Duckworth.
The Float-N-Fly consists of a diminutive jig (fly) suspended below a tiny float that takes very little movement to make it look alive.
“In clear water, bass that are suspended 10 feet below the fly will use minor muscles and fins to ease up to the fly and gently inhale it,” said Duckworth.
The key is to cast to the bluff and gently work the Float-N-Fly back toward the boat, covering the water column from the bluff to the boat.
“A small chop is good; you don’t need to work the fly. When the water is flat, twitch the rod tip gently to jiggle the bobber and the marabou will barely move – that’s what bass want in cold water,” said Duckworth.
To cover deep water, a tiny bobber is attached 8- to 9- feet above the fly. A long spinning rod and reel with light line rounds out the tackle.
“I use a 7 foot, 11 inch long Float-N-Fly graphite rod made by B’n’M Poles and either a Cardinal C704 or Mitchell 300X Gold spinning reel spooled with 6-pound-test Trilene XL monofilament line,” said Duckworth.
The secret to casting this rig is the long, limber rod, limp line, a large diameter spool on the reel, and technique. Anglers familiar with using a flyrod would master the technique in a few minutes.
“Start with the fly and bobber in the water, reel the bobber up to within 1 foot of the rod tip, then pull the rod backward like you’re making a flyrod backcast. When the line pops straight behind you, make a sharp forward cast,” instructed Duckworth.
I struggled some, often failing to wait for the line to straighten behind me. Usually, this resulted in a smack in the back of the head by the bobber and a few chuckles from Duckworth and Nolan.
Nolan, being the consummate tournament professional, caught on quickly and was making long, accurate casts within the first few minutes. In fact, he caught most of the fish the first day.
“The Float-N-Fly method is less productive on sunny days in very clear lakes,” advised Duckworth.
The Float-N-Fly method isn’t popular in the Ozarks like it is in Tennessee and Kentucky. But, when local anglers begin experimenting, learning, and catching fish in our waters, it will ‘catch on’.
“It’s also a deadly system for crappie. Just shorten the distance between the jig and bobber to the fish’s depth and you can hammer ‘em,” Duckworth proclaimed.
For a complete lesson in Float-N-Fly fishing, Duckworth has a video called “Float-N-Fly For Smallmouth Bass”. But, don’t be misled by the title, this method also works for spotted and largemouth bass plus crappie.
See the videos at www.fishingtennessee.com, Float-N-Fly rods at www.bnmpoles.com, reels at http://abugarcia.com or www.fishmitchell.com and the Float-N-Fly jig kits at www.bulletlures.com.
