Ultralight fishing for bass

[Moto]

So basically, I am currently using a medium action combo for bass fishing, but I’m thinking that might be too much of a heavy action rod. Would anyone recommend using an ultralight rod for bass?

[Glaucus]

Species doesn't matter - it's the lures you're using. Medium is too light for some techniques, perfect for some, and too heavy for others. 

In general, there's no reason for a bass fisherman to go as low as ultralight. ML is generally as low as you'll see anyone go, and that's for finesse and some smallmouth techniques.

Also, if you could only have 1 combo, you'd want a MH if LMB are your target, and M if SMB are your target.

[Bluebasser86]

Ultralight fishing is fun, but isn't practical for everyday bass fishing techniques. Additionally, when water temps are high like they typically are this time of year, a long, drawn out fight on light tackle might be more stress on a fish than it's capable of recovering from. 

[Bankbeater]

I like UL for panfish, but not much else. 

[Brad in Texas]

Using ultralight tackle, smaller lures, will almost always net out some nice bass for anglers targeting panfish and other fish species that require lighter gear. I rarely fish for bluegills and don't catch a few bass.

 

Where I'd recommend its use is in conditions when fishing is super tough. 

 

Just in general, spinning tackle, used correctly, almost always takes more time to land a fish and you will be adding to the time it takes if you use light lines and a drag set accordingly. For LMBs in real life, I doubt there are many circumstances where they do anything hard enough to exhaust themselves so it is not a natural state to them to be pooped out, full of lactic acid. Unlike SMBs and some others, LMBs don't operate as often in hard currents where it takes a lot of energy to move and/or hold position. So, they do tire, a larger LMB will, after being played well on spinning tackle. I think the off-set would be to release them faster, make certain they are fully revived.

 

Brad

 

 

[greentrout]

My UL fishing is mostly in small creeks accessible by foot. A 2 pound bass is a monster...use 5'6" light rod with 2 - 6 pound test...can handle lures down to 1/16 in weight...Shimano Sienna 1000 reel...spinning... 

 

Use Rebel Critters and Beetle Spins...

 

Love to UL fish in the wild in God's country...

 

 

 

good fishing...

 

 

[Moto]

Would ultra light be good for trout?

[Vilas15]

7 minutes ago, Mottel said:

Would ultra light be good for trout?

I use ultralight/light for brook and brown trout in streams here. Mostly using small inline spinners which work best with those rods rated for the light weights.

[davecon]

I would say ML is about as low as you would normally go, however, we are talking bass here so never say never. I’m in central Florida and one year, 5 or 6 years ago, I was catching bass like crazy one winter on 12 inch worms. Suddenly they quit hitting them. Out of desperation I one day picked up my ultra light, tied on a 4 inch worm and within 20 minutes caught 3 bass between 5 and 6 pounds a piece. For the rest of that winter/spring I started out with a 12 inch worm as usual. If that didn’t work would go to the 4 inch worms. Worked like a charm.

 

Ironically that “pattern” never worked before and has never worked since. Oh yes, I can catch small bass with a 4 inch worm but rarely a big one.

 

My point is, use the heavier stuff but don’t be afraid to try that UL. Besides, it’s an awful lot of fun and isn’t that why you’re out there to begin with ?

 

[JustJames]

If you plan to catch a lot of dinks, yes. I agree with @Bluebasser86 about stress to big fish on UL. You can cast most of the lure these day with ML spinning rod.

[TOXIC]

I fish A LOT for crappie and use the same rod I use for dropshotting and other finesse techniques.  The rods I use are either a CastAway Skeleton or a Quantum Smoke and they do double duty.  I have never felt the need for a true "Ultra light" setup.  6lb mono on these setups have caught 4lb smallmouth and 1lb crappie.  

[haggard]

You said medium action (i.e. moderate action), you're not describing the power of the rod, is that correct? I ask because you then ask about ultralight so it sounds like you're talking about power not action.

 

I think a medium power, fast action (M/F) rod is just the ticket for general purpose bass fishing and UL power is just too light. UL great for panfish and trout, but not for your everyday bass. The UL likely won't give you a good hookset and may not have enough backbone to bring it in.

 

A light/fast would work better (that's what I currently use for finesse bassing, but only because I don't have a M/F spinner), but I still find the L/F too light for your average bass. I got it as a dedicated panfish rod that could handle the occasional bass.

 

A medium-light/fast could be good. Even a M/F spinning setup would work and lets you be prepared for bigger bass or heavier cover. 

 

You can certainly catch bass on an UL especially if you use the drag a lot, but it's just that you'll probably have a far better success rate and easier time with ML/F or M/F. I landed what I'd guess was a 2-3 lb largemouth on a 5'6 UL/F with 6 lb mono test once while targeting panfish and it was a blast but it wouldn't be the combo I deliberately pick for bass.

 

 

On 8/27/2018 at 10:58 PM, Glaucus said:

if you could only have 1 combo, you'd want a MH if LMB are your target, and M if SMB are your target.

* bing *

 

[LCG]

I would not go lighter than a medium light. 

 

Let cover, line strength, and lure weight dictate the power of the rod. 

 

UL for pan fish or small trout. 

 

Ml is open water or no cover nearby. Light line light lures. 

 

M for all around bass fishing. 

 

MH for light to moderate cover and under 1oz lures.