Ultralight Smallmouth Fishing

Hi everyone,

After experiencing tendon damage to my hand, I made the decision to solely fish with light and ultralight gear for everything on my favourite lake, Sturgeon in the Kawartha's. I've had a lot of fun going with some smaller lures yet still catching some decent sized fish along the way and have no trouble pulling fish out from around docks or rock flats on 4 and 6 pound test mono, and using a net to land them too.

Has anyone else tried going the ultralight route to see how the catches compare to those you catch using regular strength tackle?

Cheers!

All fishing is better with ultra-lite!!:fish:

I have an ultralight setup I use whenever i go out with my kids, even the sunfish put up an entertaining fight on ultralight gear. I use a 5' rod with 3lbs line.

I passed my Fenwick ultralight I got when I was about 14 on to my now 7 yr old last year. He's caught many many smallies over 3 1/2, some over 4 1/2 this year on it. He adjusts the drag on the fly and plays em out. Super fun.

My Uncle use to give me crap for fishing with Ultra Light. Yet on at least one occasion I was the only one that caught fish. Even a 1 lbs bass will give you a fight to remember.

The best fight I ever had was using my medium light rod which I have 4lb test....hook up a 10lb sheephead. What a fight.

Fishing with ultralight tackle can be a blast...you will feel every movement that fish makes. Two parts that are key when choosing to go the ultralight direction is your line and your reel. I'd be leary with mono as it has so much stretch, however, if you have a high quality reel with a smooth drag, you are set up to have a lot of fun! Some of my bigger fish have come on light tackle when I've been just out for fun at the cottage. The only disadvantage to lighter tackle is if you are fishing around structure or thick weeds etc. but with that aside, have fun and experiment! Tight lines!

Cheers Becky

I have caught a lot of 4,5 lb speckled trout on ultra lite and light tackle in 4 or 6 lb. line. when some of the guys are catching 2 lb. fish the guy with the lighter line will often catch bigger fish

Nice to read some responses here. :)

I was out last week for the first time in a while chucking some 1/4oz X-Raps and it was too much fun...lol

Will be out there again this weekend, hopefully more will cooperate!

I love fishing with my ultralight rig. I do a lot of walleye fishing with it, really helps to feel the soft bites.
Hope your hand isn't slowing you down on fishing!

It was slowing me down some, but life eats into it as well. I'm going to purchase some better equipment for next year and maybe try a couple of pro/ams....maybe...