What Makes the Mayfly So Important to Fish

Mayflies are one of the most common aquatic insects in North America — and nearly every fish species eats them. Bluegill, crappie, perch, bass, and trout all feed on mayfly nymphs as a natural food source throughout the year. When you throw a lure that looks and moves like a real mayfly, you’re matching what fish instinctively hunt.

That’s exactly why the DeLong Lures Pre-Rigged Mayfly Nymph performs so well. It’s molded with the same transparent golden-yellow tone as a live mayfly nymph, complete with tiny legs and split tails that flutter in the water.

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🎣 Why the DeLong Mayfly Nymph Outperforms the Rest

Most insect-style fishing baits are made with stiff plastics that don’t move naturally in the water. DeLong Lures does things differently:

• Hand-poured in the USA using ultra-soft plastic for lifelike motion.
• Anise-infused scent to trigger more strikes, even from finicky fish.
• Embedded hook design for clean hooksets and durability.
• Perfect size for bluegill, crappie, perch, and smallmouth bass.

Because the hook is molded into the bait, it won’t pull out — even after dozens of fish. That makes this lure incredibly long-lasting and ideal for anglers who fish frequently.

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🧠 When and Where to Fish a Mayfly Nymph

Mayfly nymphs thrive in clean, shallow waters — ponds, rivers, and streams with rock or gravel bottoms. Fish them:

• Under a bobber for panfish near the surface.
• Slow along the bottom for trout and smallmouth bass.
• On a fly rod as a dropper or imitation nymph pattern.

If you fish in the South, especially in Florida, you’ll find mayflies nearly year-round — and this bait flat-out catches fish when other options fail.

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🇺🇸 Made in America Since 1946

Every DeLong Lure is poured, rigged, and packaged in the USA. The Mayfly Nymph continues that 75+ year legacy of craftsmanship, durability, and innovation. Few baits on the market combine old-school hand-pouring with modern performance — and that’s why anglers who try it once usually order more.

Explore the full Made in USA Collection to see other handcrafted DeLong baits that share the same tradition.

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💡 Related Reads

• Best Panfish Baits That Actually Catch Fish
• How to Use the DeLong Mayfly Nymph
• Made in USA Lures: Why Hand-Poured Plastics Last Longer

About the Author
Stephen Ziegler is an outdoor writer, entrepreneur, and owner of DeLong Lures—America’s oldest soft-plastic lure brand. He has published more than 500 articles on hunting, fishing, wildlife law, and public-lands policy, and his work has appeared in national outlets including Full Draw Magazine. Stephen also runs one of the largest hunting and fishing social-media networks in the country, reaching more than 300 million people per month.

➡ Read more from Stephen here: Stephen Ziegler – Author Page