Ultralight Smallmouth Tactics

[Seth]

Lets timeline this for you Scooter.

A cat comes on here and posts looking for info on ULTRALIGHT action. Everyone starts posting to help him, including Al, info that is really not ULTRALIGHT tackle.

So I post up some ULTRALIGHT tackle options. Al posts right behind me dismissing everything I just posted while stating it won't work on his waters. Well, the OP didn't ask about Al's waters. He simply asked for info on ULTRALIGHT tackle.

So I call him on it. Which is what we do to one another. I call him out, he calls me out. Its nothing personal between us. And as Al says, it keeps us on our toes. Its our way of having a little fun. So don't think I "changed your tune after you realized you misinterpreted Al's post." I still stand 100% behind what I said.

Ok Chief.........

[Riverwhy]

I would recommend the smaller size Shimano Stradic C14 1000 reel spooled with a good quality clear 4 pound momofilament. 6 foot to 6.5 foot ML spinning rod. No need to spend more than $75 bucks on the rod.

Small blue floating Rapala's, wee crawdads of various colors, roostertails of various colors, small crappie style tube jigs with 1/32 oz jig heads, and beetle spins.

If you can pop for another outfit, I recommend the exact same rod and reel spooled with 6 to 8 pound clear monofilament with six inch purple curly tail worms and watermelon baby brushhogs.

Listen to Chief Grey Bear.

[Al Agnew]

Anybody using braid on ultralight? My only ultralight rod and reel, mainly used for crappie fishing on the rare occasion I do so, has 8 lb. test (1 lb. diameter) Power Pro. Seems to work quite well.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Anybody using braid on ultralight? My only ultralight rod and reel, mainly used for crappie fishing on the rare occasion I do so, has 8 lb. test (1 lb. diameter) Power Pro. Seems to work quite well.

I do. I have used Crystal Fireline for about 10 yrs now. I really like it.

I am going to switch to Sufix 832 once I use all the Fireline.

I have tried Power Pro twice. I swore to myself the first time I would never string it again. And unbenounced to you, you talked me into trying it again. Boy you should have me telling myself again I would never buy it again.

I know you like it and have great results with it. I have had nothing but trouble with it.

[Guest]

Power Pro is the real deal.

Wally world sells it 24/7 in a smaller size spool for cheap.

I might tinker with UL & light braid, just for open water schooling fish at the lake.

[Seth]

Big fan of power pro here. My catfish/snagging setups have 65# and 80# on the reels. My 7' M/F bass spinning combo is spooled with 15#. I've been meaning to try it on an light rod for crappie but haven't done it yet. Most crappie guys tend to like it for light gear because you can usually just straighten the light wire jig hooks instead of breaking off when fishing around docks and brush piles.

[Bird Watcher]

Anybody using braid on ultralight? My only ultralight rod and reel, mainly used for crappie fishing on the rare occasion I do so, has 8 lb. test (1 lb. diameter) Power Pro. Seems to work quite well.

That's all I use on my crappie rods. I use the 4/10#? I think. it will straighten any light wire bronze hook. Can't even guess how much money it's saved me in roadrunner heads. That's the only thing I use it for though. I can't stand it for any other type of fishing. I take that back. I have a snagging rod from the days I when I would snag paddlefish that still has 80# Power pro on it.

[Terrierman]

I fish a 6'6" light fast Shimano Clarus with a Lew's Speed Spin 100 on it. 4 lb maxima or 8 lb nano with maxima for leader. That's what passes for ultralight now for me. A very versatile and capable rod and reel combo for under $200, line included. Just bought two new 6'6" light fastTemple Fork Outfitter rods and the same reels for grandsons at Christmas. Fished with one a while down at Rim Shoals, that rod is every bit as good as the Clarus, actually maybe a bit more sensitive. They're not super expensive either.

[grizwilson]

I fish a 6'6" light fast Shimano Clarus with a Lew's Speed Spin 100 on it. 4 lb maxima or 8 lb nano with maxima for leader. That's what passes for ultralight now for me. A very versatile and capable rod and reel combo for under $200, line included. Just bought two new 6'6" light fastTemple Fork Outfitter rods and the same reels for grandsons at Christmas. Fished with one a while down at Rim Shoals, that rod is every bit as good as the Clarus, actually maybe a bit more sensitive. They're not super expensive either.

He does get Lucky Once in a while

Thanks Goodness you got those boys some equipment, they were stuck with a willow limb and baler twine while you fished a Clarus...

LOL

Good going Terrierman

[trythisonemv]

I grew up on a small stream like this. I always had the best luck for smallies on maribou jigs and small rubber crawdads. My father always used half a night crawler or a rebel craw and he out fished me every time out. Saw him land a 25" one on a brown and orange jig.he always uses a light action with four lb test mono. Just be patient he says. Lol