[SeaDog1]

Hi!

How many of you fish using Light - Ultra-light - or Micro-light gear

Fishing in freshwater, I use a 7' UL rod for distant casting and a 4'6' ML rod for boat fishing -> Both have Micro-light reels spooled with no more than 4 lb. test Fireline.

I found out, thru trial and error, that the reel is the most important part of your light gear -> You need a reel that has 7-10 ball bearings and with a very smooth operating drag.

I find the "CHALLENGE" of catching any large fish on such light gear very rewarding

Like the recently posted caught Trout (16 lb.) on 8 lb. test line! (Kudos to that Fisherman )
This was caught in open water.
NOTE: (Heavier gear is needed to fish weed or obstructed areas.)

Again, the "Challenge" is not can you catch a fish -> but do you have the skills to hook and land a large fish that puts you and your light gear to the test.

I've caught large Bass, Pickerel, Trout, Salmon, Harbor Blues, and Schoolie Stripers (+ others) on my light gear in open waters..

My personal opinion, is that the fish should have a sporting chance against the fisherman to get away

It's FISH vs FISHERMAN on "definitely" more of an equal level.

Fighting and Catching a large fish on light gear is "Then worth all BRAGGING RIGHTS to that particular fisherman"
(Again -> 16 lb. Trout on 8 lb. test -> Now that's what I call worth BRAGGING about )

SeaDog1

[PECo]

Stephen

You can go hunting for bear with your bare hands or with an Abrams tank. Anything in between is a matter of personal preference. Your "QUESTION ?" sounds like an attempt to start a pissing contest. You can knock yourself out with whatever fishing line you want. Quite frankly, I'd be more impressed if you landed a kokanee with barbed wire than with four pound test Fireline. But unlike you, I think that fishing is more about the skill of the fisherman than his or her tackle.

I prefer using braid for largemouth bass fishing because I do not want to break off a fish. I've never had to pull braided line out of a bass' anus. Then again, Kira once posted a photo of a steel leader sticking out of a bass' anus. So, meh, whatev. . . .

Phil
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

[SeaDog1]

WHOA there Phil

The "Question?" asked was -> Who uses Light, Ul,or ML gear to fish with !

I made it abuntantly clear -> That using such light gear tests the skills of the fisherman to hook and land a large fish.

I even put in a disclaimer that fishing with such light gear was for open water and not weedy or obstructed areas.

I even said that "in my opinion" that I find it more challenging for "ME" to hook and catch a fish on gear that puts me and the fish, I'm after, on a more "Equal Sporting Level "

I'm not after quantity -> BUT QUALITY, the FIGHT, and How Large a fish I can catch using light gear -> "THAT" (In my opinion) is the test of a particular fisherman's fishing skills and what I pointed out very clearly

I made NO dispairing remark about what other fishermen prefer to use to enjoy fishing!

Your assumption that I'm trying to start a pissing contest -> "IS WAY OFF BASE "

This is a fishing forum! -> So what's so wrong about asking who uses light gear to fish with and what success they have had using it.

Go ahead -> Use your heavy (Abram Tank) gear -> "Your choice - I don't care" (I'd rather take on the Bear with a Pen Knife and hopefully WIN !)
Yank and Hydroplane that 1-3 lb. bass out of the weeds -> "I don't care because I don't target or fish for Bass "anymore because I'm "personally" way pass all the Hype over them " !
Yet I have "NEVER" begrudge anyone who does"

AGAIN ! -> (In my opinion and for Me) -> It's the thrill of the "CHALLENGE and SKILLS LEARNED" to hook, fight, and catch a large fish (in open water) on light gear that gives the fish a sporting chance.

Pissing contest -> Your the ONE trying to get that started -> What a crock of Bull Excrement your putting out

Thought you Baristers read things thru thoroughly
Obviously -> You didn't !

Best regards always,
SeaDog1

Oh ! FYI -> I do use an appropriate test Floro leader between the Fireline and hook/lure I'm fishing with and fish I'm after !
So meh, whatever

[PECo]

Meh, whatev. . . .
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

[SeaDog1]

Hi Phil!

YES ! Your absolutely correct

meh, whatever

SeaDog1

[PECo]

Sorry, Stephen. I'm tired and cranky again. . . .
_________________
Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

[SeaDog1]

Hi Phil!

Yeah, I figured !

Not to worry Bro -> Your still tops with Me !

SeaDog1

[DirtyDawg10]

I prefer a 27" light action rod and reel with 6lb mono tied on



At least in the winter anyway. I have to say it was fun reeling in salmon on Champlain with a fly rod setup. You could feel every move the fish made. I'll take em any way I can get em though.

[chud059]

ok, I'll answer:

I have 2 set ups. A shimano spirex with 6lb test on a 5 ft ugly stick (that i've had for about 20years) and a shimano spirex with 12lb test on a 7 foot ugly stick. I caught a really nice bass out of Risely Reservoir last fall with my 6lb test...had the drag perfect, took about 5 min to land.

Caught a nice small mouth last summer by the bridge pilings at the southend of the WL canal at dexter coffin bridge in Windsor locks, so glad I was using my 12lb line.

I used to have a shimano bantam baitcasting real on a bass pro shop rod that I had also for about 25 years.. but after some years of neglect I couldn't use the real anymore. Too bad though, I used to love that real... I learnded how to cast with no backlash and could cast a mile! I want to get a baitcasting set up again, but fishing from the shore all the time, I'm content with the spinning gear.

I really like Shimano's and Ugly Sticks.

I tried fireline a few years ago, appreciated everything it does but the stuff is expensive. Now I only use Trilene mono...in the red box. It's what I prefer.

This year hasn't been very good so far with me catching fish... tempted to buy some nightcrawlers!!! or that timbuktu real/fake bug stuff.

[DickVanPike]

ID LIKE TO SEE YOU GO AGAINST A BEAR WITH A PENKNIFE TOO....JUST SAYIN

[SeaDog1]

[SeaDog1]

Hi!

OK

Found this article on light gear fishing, which should be of great interest to all of you who fish for Bass.

www.rayscott.net/news/cr/igfabod.html

YEAP Take the Bear on with a Pen Knife ->

SeaDog1

[slim2043]

I use light gear. I always have and that's what I'm used to. Most of my rods are 5 or 5'6" rigged up with 4lb test usually and have been experimenting w 10lb braid(4lb dia) I have a baitcasting rod that is 6'6" MH but I don't use it that often because I don't have a boat. That takes 10lb line. I like using my UL rods in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, on shore, in kayak, wading, and am not Worried about it holding up against 10-15lb striper or blue either. I do have two "surf" rods but both of those are light in the ways of surf rods 7' M and ML. I rig those up w 10-14 lb test. I don't buy into hooking and landing a big fish w light tackle as being some kind of massive achievement because for one if I did my ego would be huge and two isnt that why fishing is a sport? Dragging in fish w power lines and shark rods doesn't seem very sporting to me. I understandthe need for heavier tackle in certain situations and have had days fishing thick cover where I wished I brought other gear but whatevs. To each his own I guess.
_________________
Never give up!

[BassRican]

When I first got into fishing, I wanted to do it all with very little gear. I only had light tackle and wasnt very knowledgable. I used to throw crankbaits and spinnerbaits, my rod would be doubled over before even hooking a fish! When I moved to FL, I joined a bass club and started fishing tournaments as a non-boater. I was probably the joke of the club at first. I went to my first tournaments with 2 rods that were WAY under-powered! I slowly started to grow my arsenal and started to understand the need for the right tool for the situation.

Now I still fished with lighter stuff when fun fishing and definitely feel that shows an anglers skill. I caught a 3 lb peacock bass on an ultra-light rod with a micro sized reel (4 lb test) ! Not in open water, it wrapped itself around pads. But, I kept the pressure on and drag set properly. After like 10 mins I landed it! They fight alot harder than LMB!

I like fishing with the right gear for the battle, but I always enjoy the lighter stuff. I have given up on the ultra light rods. I prefer light action rod with just a little more stiffness. My newest rod is an Allstar light action 5'6 rod with a Shimano Sahara 1000 with 4lb test. Landed tons of white perch this spring and some trout. Best light action setup Ive owned!!!
_________________
When in doubt, rip their lips out!

[steven1smith]

I landed the bass in my profile pic with light gear in open water. It faught so hard that if I hadn't mistakenly set my drag too loose it would have snapped me off very quickly.
_________________
Catch and release only.
A 4lb bass is not going to grow to 8lbs on your wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCdnQ8WEfQ