How To Fly Fish With A Spinning Rod: 4 Best Methods

Fly fishing rods and spinning rods are different from one another. But not everyone has different fishing rods for different fishing styles.

So we have proposed a spinning rod for fly fishing solution for this difficulty. Whereas the spinning rods are versatile and used for any type of fishing technique.

But somehow, there are some different techniques and tricks that fly fishing requires. For example, it is not easy to cast a fly fish with a spinning rod, but it is possible to do this.

So let’s learn how to fly fish with a spinning rod.

How to fly fish with a spinning rod?

At first, it is necessary to understand how you can fly fish with a spinning rod. Fly fishing needs artificial flies or bugs as lures to imitate the hungry fish.

The spinning rods use the weight lures to tackle small and large fish species. In this process, the spinning rods can be used for fly fishing and appear natural to the fish.

There are a few methods that help you learn how to cast fly fish using spinning rods.

What methods are used for fly fish with spinning rods?

The spinning rods are lighter, and fly fishing requires more flexible rods. So the spinning rods are useful in this case of fly fishing.

Several methods help in casting the fly fish using spinning rods.

These methods are:

Use of water bubble or Just-a-bubble
Use of strike indicators
Use of split shots
Use of dry flies
Use of water bubble or Just-a-bubble

Water bubbles are the common and easiest method for fly fishing with spinning rods. It is made of plastic and a transparent or crystal bubble having air inside and a bouncing capacity.

It floats over the surface of the water and appears natural to the fish. If you use the color bubble, then it distracts the fish.

The process of attaching the bubble to the fishing line is as follows:

Insert the fishing line into the water bubble from one end to another.
Stretch the line and open the bubble.
Fill a few drops of water in the crystal bubble and tie the knot.

This water bubble gives weight to the spinning rod and helps catch the fly fish. The artificial fly will imitate the fish, and the water bubble will give weight to the line by floating over the water’s surface.

And remember to tie the bubble by maintaining a distance of almost 4 to 5 feet from the fly. Otherwise, it would become difficult to cast the fly fish.

1. Use of strike indicators

Different strike indicators are crucial for fly fishing with spinning rods. The most common are nymphs, bobbers, and scuds.

The purpose of strike indicators is to make aware of the bite the fish to the angler or fishermen.

You can adjust to the fishing line either in the upward position or downward position to the line.

You can use the water bubble and the nymphs for fly fishing if you want to go deeper or cast the fish further.

Then the weighted nymphs would result best for spinning rods. Otherwise, use the lightweight beads or weighted nymphs for the best casting fly fish from deep water.

2. Use of split shots

Split shots are lightweight beads that give weight to the line. These split shots are used along with the flies and help cast the fly fish from shallow or deep water.

Adding the split shots to the line is to maintain the 13 to 15 inches gap between the split shots and the flies. For this purpose, add two split shots to the fishing line.

It adds weight to the line and is ready to cast fly fish with a spinning rod.

3. Use of dry flies

Dry flies help in casting the fly fish with a spinning rod. Dry flies float on the water’s surface and mimic the fish with artificial food.

This method also needs weight on the line. So, put the water bubble on the line and the distance of 14 to 15 inches from the dry flies.

It gives weight to the line, and dry flies catch the fly fish. All these 4 steps help you to utilize your spinning rod for fly fishing.

These weight bubbles, strike indicators, split shots, and dry flies put a weight on the fly line, which helps the rod to maintain the accuracy of the line for best strikes.

What is the cost needed to fly fish with a spinning rod?

Spinning rods are the most famous fishing rods among anglers. Every angler or fisherman has spinning rods. You can use the spinning rods to cast fly fishing by doing some amendments.

It would help if you had some the artificial flies. Long casting fishing line and other tackles for the fly fish. You do not need extra money to make your spinning rod capable of casting fly fish.

You can use your spinning rod for two fishing techniques by spending a small amount. It is a favorable tip for beginners, and we hope it helps you in getting a better fishing experience.

An additional tip for casting fly fish with a spinning rod

There is an additional tip for beginners to cast a fly fish with a spinning rod. Use the microfilament fishing line for the fly fish.

Different color spools exist for different fish species, including red, green, yellow, orange, and gray.

All these colors are fish appealing, and it helps you to visualize the fish roaming around these microfilament fishing lines.

So, select the different colors for the fish, which helps you cast the fly fish. For example, the yellow line will help in attracting trout fish.

It also maintains your focus on a targeting point and maintains a balance of the line.

Do the spinning rods cast fly fish from still water?

Spinning rods are utilized to cast the fly fish from freshwater, saltwater, or still water. After using different methods, the spinning rods become productive in casting fly fish.

It casts a fly fish from the still water and requires to put a weight on the line. The lure of a fly or bug is attached to the weight on the line.

The fly glides at the fish, and its weight helps it go deep into the still water. So you can easily cast a lot of fish with this modifying rod.

Final thoughts

Many anglers want to utilize their fishing rods for other fishing techniques. Therefore we have compiled the methods that made your spinning rods capable of casting fly fish.

It does not require any extra equipment and cost. Spinning rods used for fly fishing is a different and unique idea. It helps beginners to employ their spinning rods for the fly fishing technique.

This article has a complete guide that helps you understand the methods of converting the spinning rod for fly fishing.

It gives you a broader way to use your spinning rod for different purposes. So this guide is amazing for a better experience of fishing and enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cast a fly on a spinning reel?

Flies are the basic element in fly fishing. It is a traditional method to imitate fish with the help of dry flies from the upper surface of the water. For this purpose, you have to tie the flies on the tip of the fly line. The fully spooled spinning reel helps the flies target fish at a far distance.

Is Fly Fishing Harder Than Spin Fishing?

Fly fishing is a traditional method that uses a simple step of imitating fish with flies. The dry flies attract the fish immediately and help you catch them. Whereas the spinning technique makes it easy to catch fish, fly fishing is ancient and gives quicker results.

Do I Need a Special Fishing Rod for Fly Fishing?

It is evident that every fishing technique has its specific style of fishing rods that help the anglers make a smooth casting and catching. Using a fly rod for fly fishing is good and better, but you can also use a regular fishing rod for this purpose.

How to fly fish with a spinning rod and reel?

The spinning rod has versatility and uniqueness in its design. You can use it for fly fish by making some amendments to the function and structure of the rod. For example, you can tie the flies along with some weighted lines on the fly line. So this weight at the end will help the spinning rod and reel to work in favor of fly fishing.