When fishing extremely tiny creeks/streams, do you find an ultralight setup to be more ideal?

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is mono problematic on that small of a reel?

I don't think so - one of my crappie rigs is a 1000 reel on a 7'6" UL/F rod running 4# Sufix Siege...casts just fine.

[redmeansdistortion]

55 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is mono problematic on that small of a reel?

Not necessarily, but braid will let you cast easier since it's a smaller diameter.  In your case, I'd run some 2lb mono backing and top it off with 50yd or so of thin braid.  You also avoid line memory and keep line twist much more manageable.  Also, if you get a break-off, it will be your leader and not your main line.  You are going to get snagged, it's part of the game, especially if you're fishing around wood.  When you're creek fishing, you will seldom catch fish out of the main current unless they're on the move or holding in a deeper pool.  It can be combat fishing at times.

[Ohioguy25]

7 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Not necessarily, but braid will let you cast easier since it's a smaller diameter.  In your case, I'd run some 2lb mono backing and top it off with 50yd or so of thin braid.  You also avoid line memory and keep line twist much more manageable.  Also, if you get a break-off, it will be your leader and not your main line.  You are going to get snagged, it's part of the game, especially if you're fishing around wood.  When you're creek fishing, you will seldom catch fish out of the main current unless they're on the move or holding in a deeper pool.  It can be combat fishing at times.

So most creek fish are holding tight to structure/cover?

[redmeansdistortion]

4 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So most creek fish are holding tight to structure/cover?

They do so they can avoid predators, namely ospreys, eagles, and river otters.  If there's a lot of cloud cover you'll have an easier time fishing in the open sections of the creek, but if it's sunny, you'll find them tighter to structure.

[bulldog1935]

Here's a river bass lure for fishing down and across to straight down the current and bottom bouncing.  BFS Empire sells the Mukai Max 4-g single-hook keel spinner, and Vanfook sells the pre-tied woolly bugger tail.  This duplicates the action of a cats whisker on Teeny sinking shooting head with a fly rod.  

 

Put a couple of these together, you may never need another lure.  

 

Just how much structure is there in a 15'-wide channel.  Big bass will pick the deepest water with the best overhang, hardest for you to present with a rod that's too long.  The bass on the left was sight-fished.  Single most important skill is stealth.  Don't go out to cast.  go out to explore, and spare your casts.  

[Ohioguy25]

2 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

They do so they can avoid predators, namely ospreys, eagles, and river otters.  If there's a lot of cloud cover you'll have an easier time fishing in the open sections of the creek, but if it's sunny, you'll find them tighter to structure.

Yeah that is probably why creek fish are so spooky, they’re basically sitting ducks.  People act like creek fishing is so easy, and it may be as far as picking apart holes but that’s only half the battle. Once you find the fish you still gotta get them to eat. 

[redmeansdistortion]

3 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Don't go out to cast.  go out to explore, and spare your casts

Adding to this.

 

Work your way upstream, the fish will usually be facing the current so you'd be approaching them from behind.  As you're plodding along the creek bed, you'll cloud the water and spook fish downstream.  If you're working your way downstream, wade very slowly or take to the bank if need be.  Upstream is best, but more care must be taken when fishing downstream.

[bulldog1935]

that applies to trout, but less to bass - trout are looking for aquatic insects drifting in the current - bass are looking to ambush baitfish,  crayfish, amphibians.  We fish bass more often wading downstream, and fishing down and across, here fishing with Kevin Townsend filming an episode of KT Diaries.  

we're wading down a flagstone shelf and fishing down and across over dolomite ruts - a summer day, 15 degrees cooler in this cypress tunnel than up by the road.  

Same spot on an October fall bite, I caught 75 bass on the same wade. 

 

And this is me catching trout in my tailwater with Frank Smethurst on TU on the Rise.  

 

how are you going to present down-and-across to the fish you just stepped on to get upstream. I hope this thing is on - it hasn't been for most of this thread.  

 

Of course, if you only fish in one direction, you can't go home.  

It's best to do your exploring downstream, fishing down and across to structure.  Remember the big fish you saw, and fish them on your way back up, directing your cast at their last lie where you saw them - they won't remember you by then.  

And I'll still raise the flag that says, "I'm the only guy here who has stream fished on national TV"

[redmeansdistortion]

57 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

that applies to trout, but less to bass - trout are looking for aquatic insects drifting in the current - bass are looking to ambush baitfish,  crayfish, amphibians.

Small trout are looking for insects, larger browns and rainbows have much more fish in their diets.  Where I am, you will seldom see anybody fishing big browns or rainbows on dries, they're almost always fishing streamers.  Big trout also feed on mice, moles, and other small mammals that make their way into the water.  Those imitation mouse baits are excellent for nighttime brown fishing as are Jitterbugs and Heddon Torpedoes.

[Ohioguy25]

1 hour ago, redmeansdistortion said:

Adding to this.

 

Work your way upstream, the fish will usually be facing the current so you'd be approaching them from behind.  As you're plodding along the creek bed, you'll cloud the water and spook fish downstream.  If you're working your way downstream, wade very slowly or take to the bank if need be.  Upstream is best, but more care must be taken when fishing downstream.

Yeah always wade upstream if possible.  When floating I make long casts and try to be as quiet as I can, but on clear days I’m sure they can see me and I’ve spooked half the fish before I even get to the hole.

[Deleted account]

On 4/6/2023 at 9:30 AM, PhishLI said:

Dude...If you were my brother, you'd currently be in a headlock getting noogies.

 

Why not ask how it compares to 50 other brands? It'll get the job done. It's not a junk rod. It's good. It's easy to get quickly and has a good warranty.

 

Stop reading the internet, or at the very least, stop hanging on every quibble you've see written. The gear has very little to do with your success as a fisherman. Just a tiny percentage. My idea of perfect is another guy's idea of junk. Both of those ideas are in fact overblown, so who are you going to believe? Just get some decent stuff and fish with it, then you'll find the baseline for what matters to you, not anyone else. Trying out a cross section of gear yourself is the only way you'll know for sure. Hopefully your wallet is as deep as your neurosis. Education comes with a price tag. Regardless, if you suck at fishing, nothing you buy will really matter. If you're good at it, same thing.

 

A Lawn Guy Lander making sense? Maybe the end is near...  

[PhishLI]

57 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Maybe the end is near...

Oh, it is...

[Rob St Croix]

I use a 5'10" St Croix Legend Tourney Bass with the new Shimano Sahara FJ

[Ohioguy25]

On 4/5/2023 at 5:50 PM, MN Fisher said:

 

That situation - 6'0' would be the longest rod I'd pick...I'd be more inclined for a 5' or 5'6"

 

On 4/5/2023 at 7:19 PM, Derek1 said:

Definitely 5’6” and a small reel. You’ll be able to cast plenty far. 

 

On 4/5/2023 at 5:43 PM, bulldog1935 said:

and 7' seems really silly considering the OP's question.  

 

You might be able to fish that rod length and extra cast distance in 10% of this overhang.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to bank-fish ponds and lakes, fish panfish from a boat, the 7' rod is right.  If you want to wade creeks, you want no more than 5-1/2', and you might find 5' more useful.  

So I’ll be the first to admit when I am wrong, and I’m always seeking good advice so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for steering me in the right direction.

 

Received the 13 Fishing 5’6” Panfish/Trout rod and I am now thinking it may even be a touch too long.  Do most people opt for 5’ or should I try to make this 5.5 work?

[Derek1]

2 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

 

 

So I’ll be the first to admit when I am wrong, and I’m always seeking good advice so I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for steering me in the right direction.

 

Received the 13 Fishing 5’6” Panfish/Trout rod and I am now thinking it may even be a touch too long.  Do most people opt for 5’ or should I try to make this 5.5 work?

You’ll probably be fine. It’s a fairly versatile length for what your want to do. String it up and go fishing.