Fishing with ultralites.

[Bassn Blvd]

I have always been a lite tackle fisherman, meaning I like to use the lightest line I can get away with. For example; When I go Grouper fishing in the Tortugas I use #30 mono for my main line and #40 mono for a leader. Sometimes I use no leader at all. When I go Snook fishing I usually use #15-#20 main line and 25#-30# mono leader when using artificial. If I'm Snook fishing for dinner then it's "game on" and I'm using straight 60# mono with live bait.

I see some people use "ultralite" rod and reel for Bass but use #10-#20 braid and then say they were targeting big fish with ultralite gear.

IMO, this is not ultralite because they are using heavy braid.

When I want to target Bass using ultralite gear then I consider #2-#4 mono to be ultralite, #6 mono tops. I would also agree to use a small #6 mono leader with the #2 and #4, especially if fishing around structure. I believe ultralite is geared more towards small line rather than small rods and reels.

Does anyone have a different outlook?

[fourbizz]

My outlook is that fishing ultralight for bass is dumb.

[Bassn Blvd]

My outlook is that fishing ultralight for bass is dumb.

You don't count..

[cobalt]

only when i drop shot will i go all the way down to 6#

using 20# braid is almost foolish on a small spinning rod. you're not accomplishing anything by doing that.

[SirSnookalot]

I'm in Bassn's camp and I know him personally, have fished with him as well.

IMO fishing mh or h rod with 50 braid with a b/c reel for smallish fish is "weenie fishing"

Comparing a 10-15# bass to a snook tarpon, redfish or permit( too bad we don't have stripers here) is like comparing a bluegill to a muskie and we catch these fish on 10-15# test medium rods, I use spinning.

50# tarpon will probably spool ya in less than a minute on lite tackle, but that's the challenge.

[Sam]

yes.

ultra light includes rod, reel, line test, bait size and technique.

just lost a beauty ultralight fishing last week.  but it was fun while i had her on.   ;D

[Crestliner2008]

I fish 4# test fluoro for my drop shot leader, on a medium light action rod and reel combo. In deep, clear water lakes, you almost have to go this light if you want to get bit. And I enjoy doing so! I've been using this set-up for 6 seasons now....this being my 7th.. Have taken a lot of bass this way. Biggest bass (SM) I've taken so far, on this rig, has been a 4 lb., 14 oz. female from 27' of water. Working on a 5+!

I believe the statement by fourbizz is a gut reaction to going after large LMs in heavier cover. However, if you are good enough to pull it off, more power to you. His statement is a bit too blunt for my taste, but what do I know.

[bilgerat]

I got into UL about two years ago. I love it. There are arguments within the UL camp about what really constitutes UL.

My setups are Pflueger 25 size reels and UL rated rods. 4 # mono is the line I go with. Personally, I think the use of braid negates the purpose of UL but then again, it's just my opinion.

Over the years, I've caught plenty of 3 - 4 # bass, large pickeral, etc. on UL. I like the fight and playing the fish. Occasionally I lose them, but it's part of the game.

BTW, my "heavy" rig is a 30 size Supreme on an Avid 6' 6" MF rod. 6 # Sufix Elite mono. Seriously, I don't fish with anything heavier. I do have one of the Supreme's spools filled with braid, but I'm still on the fence about it. I don't have any handling problems, just not quite sure I like braid enough yet.....

As for Bizz's comments, no offense taken here. I'm sure he would be just as lost with one of my rigs in his hands as I would be with one of his broomstick and winch rigs.....

[Blue Streak]

True ultra lite fishing is a joy and you can land some pretty nice fish on a small outfit with light line if you know what you are doing. It will make you a better fisherman.

[fourbizz]

I'm a better drop shot fisherman than anything else.

But I only use sissy rods when the fishing conditions dictate, not when I feel like playing fish longer.

[Fish Chris]

Of course I have a whole bunch of REALLY strong opinions on this subject ;-)

I LOVE fishing with my G-Loomis SR 720's (rated for 1 to 4 lb mono) and an ultra light Okuma Inspira.

But the thing is, regardless of what gear I'm using, or what species I'm fishing for, I absolutely HATE kinky, coily, sttrreeeeeettcchy monofilament (as a main line).

I know their are guys who will say, but if your using 10 lb test braid, that's not micro-light..... and in their own minds, thier trying to compare 10 lb braid, to 10 lb mono. However, that's like comparing apples to oranges. If one were to put 2 lb diameter / 10 lb braid, on a medium weight rod rated for 10 lb mono, and then treated it like 10 lb mono (medium to heavy drag settings, hard hook sets, etc) he would be breaking off a lot of fish, and / or ripping hooks out.

IMPO, 2lb dia/ 10lb test braid, is WAY better suited for use on a micro-light rod.

Also, if a guy feels like he needs to "limit himself / his tackle strength" so that he can feel he has made a bigger acomplishment, then he can just run a 4lb or even 2lb test mono leader, in conjuction with 2/10 braid. Of course this will match up beautifully.

Here's a bunch more info if your interested;

http://www.trophybassonly.com/id139.htm

Peace,

Fish

PS, The size or species of fish I'm after, has little to do with the gear I choose for it. For me, it's mostly the bait / lures, which determine the size of the gear. In other words, I will use a heavy action rod, with 50 lb braid, for big heavy swimbaits, and I might only catch 3 to 8 lb bass on it.

But then I almost always use the micro-light for crawler fishing, where I might be fishing for bass from 10 to 13 lbs, or more.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Of course I have a whole bunch of REALLY strong opinions on this subject ;-)

I LOVE fishing with my G-Loomis SR 720's (rated for 1 to 4 lb mono) and an ultra light Okuma Inspira.

But the thing is, regardless of what gear I'm using, or what species I'm fishing for, I absolutely HATE kinky, coily, sttrreeeeeettcchy monofilament (as a main line).

I know their are guys who will say, but if your using 10 lb test braid, that's not micro-light..... and in their own minds, thier trying to compare 10 lb braid, to 10 lb mono. However, that's like comparing apples to oranges. If one were to put 2 lb diameter / 10 lb braid, on a medium weight rod rated for 10 lb mono, and then treated it like 10 lb mono (medium to heavy drag settings, hard hook sets, etc) he would be breaking off a lot of fish, and / or ripping hooks out.

IMPO, 2lb dia/ 10lb test braid, is WAY better suited for use on a micro-light rod.

Also, if a guy feels like he needs to "limit himself / his tackle strength" so that he can feel he has made a bigger acomplishment, then he can just run a 4lb or even 2lb test mono leader, in conjuction with 2/10 braid. Of course this will match up beautifully.

Here's a bunch more info if your interested;

http://www.trophybassonly.com/id139.htm

Peace,

Fish

PS, The size or species of fish I'm after, has little to do with the gear I choose for it. For me, it's mostly the bait / lures, which determine the size of the gear. In other words, I will use a heavy action rod, with 50 lb braid, for big heavy swimbaits, and I might only catch 3 to 8 lb bass on it.

But then I almost always use the micro-light for crawler fishing, where I might be fishing for bass from 10 to 13 lbs, or more.

Have you ever had success here? a 13 lb LM on micro lite/crawler combo??

(If so, open water flats?)

(If so,...I'll learn to bow down further,lol)

[Fish Chris]

Hey LBH, I know I've caught at least 3 DD bass on the micro-light... but I'm thinking it was 4...

But yes, this was my 13.0 lb'er. I was fishing kind of an offshore hump... or end of a saddle. About 12ft of water. I caught an 11.1 lb'er on the same spot.

Peace,

Fish

[bilgerat]

Big fish on nightcrawlers and ultra lite ?

You, Sir, go against everything this site stands for. Your privileges are hereby revoked immediatelty. The guard will escort you to the door

Just bustin' your chops. I love it. I'm headin' out in the rain now for a little action. See ya....

[Fish Chris]

Yea, I know I'm whacked, but what I think is even weirder, is to pull up on a spot throwing big swimbaits and wakebaits..... and then, to turn around and grab the micro-light and crawlers :-) Talk about one extreme to the other :-) LOL

Works for me though. And it's all fun.

Peace,

Fish

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

You, Sir, go against everything this site stands for. Your privileges are hereby revoked immediatelty. The guard will escort you to the door

Better bring me too then because that is everything this site DOES stand for,....and then some.

8-)

[SirSnookalot]

Whatever it takes to catch a fish works for me even live bait and plastic worms (ugh worms are for weenies, no challange), but a last resort.

[Fish Chris]

I think Bilgerat was just ribbing me for fun...

And even SirSnook didn't say > he wouldn't use crawlers....

But as to the "No challenge part"....

How would you explain the million bass (and a good handful of fish of other species too) that have swam right up to investigate a live crawler, or crawdad, on the end of my line, only to turn their nose up to it, and swim away ???

Sure, I've seen times when it "seemed" like the fish just couldn't say no ! {of course I've seen this with artificials on rare occasions too} But it seems like every time I get to thinking > That was just too easy ! Man, I just can't wait to go do that again..... and then Bam ! The very next time out, everything has changed   All of the sudden the bait I thought made it too easy, will barely work, or not at all !

In any case >  more than any particular live bait < what I often find to be too easy, is small, unconditioned fish. I've never found anything that makes big, old, highly conditioned fish, too easy (or else I'd do nothing else ;-)

Like I've always said, if 10's ever become too easy, I'll have to shoot for nothing but 15's. If those become too easy, I'll shoot for 20's ;-)

Peace,

Fish

[bilgerat]

Yup, just funnin' ya

It cracks me up that you've caught fish most of us can only dream of using the most basic of gear.

I wanna see Fish Chris EXTREME fishing, no rods or reels or tackle of any kind. Just stick your face in the water and come up with a fish.

If anyone can pull it off, it's you

No challenge ??!! Fishing is always a challenge. I think some of us get caught up in the details too much and make it a job. I've witnessed 9 year old kids pull nice bass out of the water using a piece of hotdog for bait. You think that kid was sweating details ?

[bigtimfish]

I personally do not do it any longer. My little girl uses my UL when i take her fishing. But I will tell you UL fishing is one of the most fun things you will ever do. When I was younger we had a camp at Toledo Bend and when we were not in the boat, I was on the bank with a UL throwing a frog bodied beetlespin on 4lb line. wooohooo!!!! As a matter of fact for a long time, I had one of my PB on that rig. 6lb on 4lb line. That was just flat out fun.

[FEVER Erie - St Clair]

I have no problem with fairy wands or broomsticks for rods depending on the fishing situation.

That said, big smallmouth, in crystal clear water, on a good 5 foot ultralight rod matched to a good reel and small crankbaits is a blast.  I try and do it several times a year.  For this kind of thrill, I use a matched set of ultralights with new (old stock) Cardinal 3 spinning reels, and 6 pound test mono.  Best smallie to date on this rig was a beautiful 6 pound 4 ouncer (digital scales). This can be some of the most fun you can have on the water while still keeping your cloths on!

[SirSnookalot]

Chris, let me qualify that no challenge remark of mine. Catching DD is a challenge no question about it and it doesn't happen everyday. But when I read posts that some guys/gals are catching 20-30 or even 50 bass a day, doesn't sound too challenging to me, fun yes challenge no. I see peeps on the side of the road here in Florida using a cane pole and redworms and their buckets are full, some people on here may *** their catch.

Some of the fish that I target I may not get a strike or even see one for a week or more and I fish everyday. I'll come home toss some lure for an hour or so in my pound and usually catch a few(bass).  I go into withdrawal if I have a day where I don't even catch a dink.

You bet I would use live bait, the only reason I don't is I don't spend the time to catch it or drive and buy it, but not a darn thing wrong in using it. I just got this thing about plastic worms, for me it's boring and too easy to catch them, I don't even use them for a last resort.

[Fish Chris]

Yep, yep. I think we are pretty much on the same page. I got over the 50 fish days a long time ago. Give me a handful of bigger fish (or 1 huge one ;-) that I have to work for, and I will consider that a great trip.

Fish

[NBR]

I don't like battling the same fish for long periods of time. It almost assures that the fish will die if released. I saw this first hand a few year ago when my buddy boated a 16# northern on 8# with no leader.

The fish was so exhausted it took well over 15 minutes for it to recover the first time and a while later I looked back and it was floating belly up. The second time we must have spent 30 minutes or more before it swam away. I am not convinced it made it.

Long periods of stress builds up lactic(sp) acid which is supposed to be harmfull. Maybe someone more informed than I could comment.

[airborne_angler]

Ive recently started using Ultralight rigs again. Ive been throwing regular and larger size plastics and havent really had much luck,and its really gotten me down on fishing,kinda discouraging.

When I started Dropshotting again on my ultralight combo and sticking fish(regardless of the size or species) the fun was back in the game for me. Its really neat to catch some dinks and then have a significantly larger fish come in and take your offering. Catching a bunch of 12 inch fish and then suddenly hook into a 2-4 lb fish and not be expecting it. Thats where the fun is for me.