| Are you even aware of what ultra light fishing is? | | | | fish, this them enables the angler to use lures and |
| Many anglers seem to think it's using fishing gear | | | | bait that are smaller. While these lures are smaller |
| that's small enough for landing minnows, but this | | | | than most people are accustomed to, ultra light lures |
| simply isn't the case. In my view, ultra light fishing is | | | | are actually the size of the prey the fish are used to. |
| actually closer to what we describe as regular fishing. | | | | This fact is a big advantage for the angler. |
| Foe example I was watching the FLW tour on | | | | The size of your gear - Again, this is where ultra light |
| television the other day and some joker caught a 1 | | | | fishing seems different, because the rods and reels |
| ½ pound largemouth bass on eight pound test, | | | | that are used are much smaller than many anglers |
| and the announcer kept commenting on how that line | | | | are accustomed to. And again, I think the size of |
| was to light for bass fishing. In reality, the angler was | | | | ultra light gear is much more in line with the type of |
| simply ultra light fishing for largemouth bass. He was | | | | fish that are being fished for. For example I use a |
| using gear that was matched to what he was fishing | | | | five foot ultra light rod for most of my small river |
| for. This type of thing is seen as taboo among most | | | | and stream fishing. When the water's really high, I'll |
| bass anglers who consider ten pound test to be "light | | | | use a six foot six inch ultralight rod for added |
| line". Do you realize that ten pound test will hold ten | | | | sensitivity. My fishing reel remains the same. I land |
| pounds of weight before breaking? That's what ten | | | | fish that are quite large (in the 5-6 pound class) with |
| pound test means. | | | | gear this size and people think I'm nuts. To me it's |
| The bottom line is that to me ultra light fishing | | | | much more sportsmanlike to use fishing gear this size |
| actually means using line and lures that are matched | | | | for fish in this size range. Obviously if I'm Steelhead |
| to what you're fishing for without going into the | | | | fishing, I upgrade my gear to something heavier, |
| range of overkill. Whatever the definition of ultralight | | | | because the fish that are caught are so much bigger. |
| fishing is, there are some tips that can help you. | | | | In my opinion, the bottom line is that ultra light fishing |
| The weight of your line - As mentioned earlier, you | | | | is the most effective way to catch fish. Especially in |
| want the pound test of your fishing line to match the | | | | Small River and stream situations. Ultralight gear and |
| size of fish that you're trying to catch. For example, | | | | baits are all I use in such situations (unless of course |
| when I fish for trout in my favorite river, the biggest | | | | Steelhead are the goal.) Many anglers think that large |
| trout I would ever encounter would be six pounds | | | | fish can't be landed on ultra light gear, but this simply |
| (and that would be a once in a lifetime giant). | | | | isn't true. And I've said in this article, I catch large fish |
| Therefore I use four pound test monofilament. This | | | | all the time. The other great thing about ultra light |
| diameter line is more than enough to land the fish I | | | | fishing is that you become a better angler. Ultralight |
| will catch, even big ones. I've caught five pond trout | | | | gear forces you to play your catch, the way God |
| on four pound test many times. | | | | intended, rather than just winching the poor fish out |
| The size of your bait - This is where ultralight fishing | | | | of the water. Remember, fishing is supposed to be a |
| is different. Because you use line matched to you're | | | | "sport", not a job. |