Fishing is more than just a pastime for many. It is an activity that invokes passion and builds a deep connection to the outdoors. What most people don’t know is that fishing comes in various forms. Two of the most popular methods are regular fishing (also known as spin fishing or bait fishing) and fly fishing.
While both involve a rod, line, and the hope of catching a fish, there are some key differences between the two. Let’s explore how fly fishing differs from regular fishing.
Table of Contents
Regular Fishing: A Recap
Regular fishing or spin fishing is the most common method anglers use to catch fish in lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans. It relies on weighted lures or bait that sink below the surface, drawing fish toward the hook through scent, movement, or color.
The process is pretty simple: You attach a live bait or an artificial lure to a hook, cast your line, and let the rod and reel system do most of the work. Some anglers let the bait rest while others slowly reel it in.
Traditional fishing is considered more beginner-friendly, since spin-cast setups are easy to learn.
Fly Fishing: Technique and Features
In comparison, fly fishing is a specialized angling technique. It involves using lightweight artificial flies and a unique casting method to imitate insects, small fish, or other natural prey. Instead of relying on the weight of the lure, fly fishing depends on the weight of the line itself to carry the fly through the air.
Fly fishing is an excellent technique if you want to catch trout and salmon in rivers, streams, and lakes. The destination for fly fishing can have a huge impact on your experience. Look into bucket-list fly fishing locations and choose the one that best suits your expertise, target fish, and other preferences.
Key Differences Between Regular and Fly Fishing
Here are the top five differences between fly fishing and regular fishing:
Type of bait used
Regular fishing uses live bait, soft plastics, spinners, jigs, and other heavier lures. Fly fishing relies on hand-tied artificial flies made from feathers, fur, and synthetics.
Casting technique
Regular fishing uses the weight of the lure or bait to carry the line forward. In comparison, fly fishing uses the weight of the line to cast a nearly weightless fly. This ensures straightforward casting. Fly fishing is highly effective in shallow or clear water where fish feed near the surface.
Target species
Regular anglers can pursue a wide range of fish, from catfish to pike. Whereas fly fishermen often target species like trout, salmon, and bass, which tend to feed near the surface.
Gear and equipment
Regular fishing uses spinning or baitcasting rods with standard monofilament or braided line. In comparison, fly fishing uses long, flexible rods, specialized fly lines, and lightweight reels.
Fishing environment
As the name indicates, regular fishing works well in almost all environments. But fly fishing is often considered more suitable for rivers, streams, and shallow water areas.