Ultralight Basser

[FunkJishing]

Does anyone use their UL set up to fish for bass? and by UL I mean 4lb test. I know many use medium power spinning set ups but what about UL? what are some situations where it would make sence to do so?

[Preytorien]

I use a pretty light setup for senkos and spinbaits. I'm not sure about the 4lb part, I usually go with 6lb.

 

This last season I had my ultralight setup and saw bass hitting topwater all over, so I tied on a Booyah PadCrasher Jr. and threw it at them. I ended up pulling in a 4lb-er....on 6lb test line, which meant my drag was set at ~2lb.

 

Quite a fun fight, but I wouldn't want to chance it with a potential state record or tournament winner. 

[OntarioFishingGuy]

< caught on 4lb leader and a light power Fenwick trout rod (With a 3/8th oz crankbait )

Short answer: Yes. UL rods are my favorite way to fish for smallies. In fact, I rarely ever use a rod heavier than a light power for them. UL rods are a much better choice when used in small creeks that probably do not hold large fish. They also work well fishing small ponds. And if you think 4lb test is a challenge, try 2lb test. If you set your drag right, you can land some pretty large fish.

[FunkJishing]

< caught on 4lb leader and a light power Fenwick trout rod (With a 3/8th oz crankbait )

Short answer: Yes. UL rods are my favorite way to fish for smallies. In fact, I rarely ever use a rod heavier than a light power for them. UL rods are a much better choice when used in small creeks that probably do not hold large fish. They also work well fishing small ponds. And if you think 4lb test is a challenge, try 2lb test. If you set your drag right, you can land some pretty large fish.

haha cool man, and yea smallies are exactly what I'd be using it for. just to throw mini buzz baits and spinnerbaits that are still kinda light for a medium set up.

[Tywithay]

I have an ultralight that I use for bass all the time during the spring. 5'4" UL with 4lb Super Natural. I've caught hundreds on it.

[cyclops2]

I carry 2 different rods ready to go with the right lures .

 

4# & 1 1/2" floater .  Rebel / Rapala

 

40 year old Ande pink 60# on a big Penn saltwater reel With a huge floater that is colored like a perch

 

When a big guy starts grabbing the perch ?   I feed him the sucker.  Not a sure cure. Some big fish get caught 3 times in a row.  Pike are all mouth & stomach.  Not much fear when they can load up on free perch & be released.  I have 1 pike spot where they know the boat & me sitting & casting for perch. They WILL ? DO follow behind the boat.  Stupid ???  Not really.  They are grabbing the perch while I reel and yank as fast as I can.  If they want the perch. They do run it down.

 

Another senior was standing on the 30' cliff watching me cast for small fish. He yells down to let the perch struggle out there. Said a huge Pike or muskie was trailing most of the fish to my boat. I saw nothing seated in the shallow hulled Lowe 15 " transom boat.

 

I have caught several over 36" pike on Flicker Spinners & 4# test.   I use very different tactics on them & 4# test.  Pike are almost always deep dense weed ambushers.  Most Flicker Spinner hook ups are the  TOUGH outer lip grisle or the very far back corner of the jaw.

[Fishes in trees]

Go to the In-fisherman magazine website.  Get on the midwest finesse part of that site.  Check out all you can find on the "ned rig".   4 lb line is fine.   For this fishing, you might want a little stronger butt, in the lower half of the rod, compared to your average UL rod.   It can be done on UL rods, but you can upgrade and get better results.   Check out what they use.

[cyclops2]

Many 4# lines are good for up to a breaking load of almost 10 pounds with a great knot & a smooth surfaced metal eye. 

[F14A-B]

Yep, it's what I call my " Super fun rig " 5'6" Tom Mann rod w/ a 1990 500 size Shimano spinner.. 2 to 4 test... Throwing spinner flys, tiny count down Rapalas, 1/32, 1/16, jigs caught a few bigger largemouth on this, as well as crappie, bluegill, and huge redear... It's super fun alright!

[GANGGREEN]

I use ultralight a lot, sometimes specifically for bass and more frequently, for perch or other species and the bass come as a bonus.  I've caught lots of 4 pounders on UL gear and I suspect I've probably been around or over 5 pounds a number of times as well.  Even though we're talking UL for throwing small lures and using light line (yes, I typically use 4 pound test mono), I don't use very short or buggy whip rods, I typically stick with 6' rods that are fast or extra fast action and I enjoy them immensely.

[0119]

Lots of good info on Midwest Finesse blog. Any article from Ned Kedhe is worth reading. I use ultra light baitcasting gear, 4 and even 2lb. mono on Abu 1500c and 2500c reels on very limber Kokonee trolling rods. Wacky rig cut up senko's and small rapala type jerkbaits.

[Raul]

4 lb for bass where I'm at is too light in most cases ( even though I have caught some nice fish while fishing for panfish with 2 lb test ), sure it adds to the scary factor but I prefer not taking chances of having a fish breaking off with a lure in it's mouth, I prefer 6 lb for the light duty tasks where I know there is no thick cover. ML rod, 6 lb test and a shallow spool reel = lots of fun !

[desmobob]

In my younger days I did all my smallmouth bass fishing with ultralight gear.  In the crystal clear waters of the lake I used to fish, the light 4 lb. and 2 lb. mono seemed to offer a noticeable advantage over heavier mono... I thought I caught more fish on the lighter lines.  I don't know if it's that big of an advantage these days with the fluorocarbon lines available.

 

In the muddy, week-choked lake I fish for largemouths, I don't think ultralight would be a practical choice.  But I do carry an ultralight rig in the boat for panfish.  And I have caught at least one 4+ lb. largemouth and managed to land some pickerel and small pike on that rig.  And it was a load of fun.  And there is luck involved.  :-)

 

If I fished a clear, open water lake or pond without a lot of weeds or timber, I'd definitely be throwing an ultralight rig at least some of the time.

 

Tight lines,

Bob

[Blues19]

I use an ultra light when im on float trips.  I have a 4'8" Uglystick.  It doesnt have great sensitivity, but I tend to throw tiny brush hogs and those small rebel crawdad crankbaits.  Those little rebel crankbaits catch A LOT of fish.  I will throw little Mepps, 2" grubs, and roostertails too.  Just small stuff.  You will catch Blue gill and crappie too. 

[I.rar]

Love fishing ultralight tackle. I've landed most of my largemouth and peacock bass on my UL rig. I kind of prefer it over my heavier gear and always bring it especially when I only have a limited amount of time to fish.

My current rig-

President 6925

Daiwa procyon 6' UL

15/4 power pro w/ 4lb mono or copoly leader

[I.rar]

I just thought of something.... What ever happened to mrultralight? Or was is mrlighttackle? He always posted some good sized fish he caught on light power bps rods.

[Bluebasser86]

I used to fish for whatever would bite with a 1/16oz crappie jig and 2lb test pretty often just for the challenge. Even a big bluegill will break you off with 2lb test. My main ultralight now is a 6' Avid with a 750 Sedona and 3.5lb DAM Techtan line. I still break it out and fish for whatever bites once in awhile. A few years ago I got ahold of a 10lb flathead with it on a 1/8oz homemade crappie jig. It was a long, drawn out fight but eventually I was finally able to land it. Made it even more difficult that I was fishing from the bank with no net. 

[SirSnookalot]

I do a lot of ul fishing in my community ponds.  I use a 5' limp as an over boiled noodle rod with hardly any backbone (which is what makes it more fun for me), trion reel and light braid.  I've had the same Storm top water lure on for a couple of months, I just love fishing for them this way.

Caught many like this one on that set up.

[Jtrout]

I love it to its awesome when u pull 2 pounders in on 4 lb line rooster tails n small rapala jerk baits

[Kyle46N]

I've fished ultralight my whole life....mid 30's now.   My pops started me on an ultralight set up at 5 years old throwing small 1 inch or less lures in streams and rivers.   With all that said, I really believe fishing with less than 6 lb mono is unecessary, and the only purpose for going lower would be the challenge of not breaking off or playing a fish.   But as far as visibility, 6 lb is small enough.   And small baits can be very effective for large bass, but I believe that it's most effective in small waters. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Remember, an UL doesn't have to be 5'-6' long. A longer rod will help protect the light line and will cast better. 

[Tywithay]

Remember, an UL doesn't have to be 5'-6' long. A longer rod will help protect the light line and will cast better. 

I've found the longer rods more difficult to cast in most instances, because they're very whippy. I like the shorter rods because I can just quickly flick my lure out there. Rarely going for much distance when I am fishing ultralight anyway.

[I.rar]

I've found the longer rods more difficult to cast in most instances, because they're very whippy. I like the shorter rods because I can just quickly flick my lure out there. Rarely going for much distance when I am fishing ultralight anyway.

X2

My old 6'8 river runner was comfortable but I find my 6' rod to be perfect for flickin out small baits between and under trees.

[FunkJishing]

 I really believe fishing with less than 6 lb mono is unecessary, and the only purpose for going lower would be the challenge of not breaking off or playing a fish. 

and for trout fishing. lol

[FunkJishing]

X2

My old 6'8 river runner was comfortable but I find my 6' rod to be perfect for flickin out small baits between and under trees.

my UL is a 5'4 and it's perfect for that as well.