Query

[Dan]

Was working today and talked to a guy who said he uses an ultralight rod to bass fish. He claimed he could feel bites better with it. He also said he fishes tournaments and that lots of guys use them. I have never used an ultralight to bass fish with, and have never heard of anyone that does. Medium light yes, but an ultralight.?

[Waterfoul]

He must not fish any of the tournaments I fish.  I've actually NEVER owned an ultra light rod.  I don't even like medium light.

[Dan]

Ditto that. I told this guy that and he kind of looked at me like? He really wanted to argue about it with me.

[Manxfishing]

I work with a few guys that have mentioned they use a ultralight rod
For the reason they like to fight the fish
There also the guys that never get out, have line that's 10-20 years old on the reel or go to catch any thing biting.

I myself have never seen anyone in a Tournament useing a ultralight
I do have a Med DS rod with 6# and a 1000 reel that I use some times.
Any thing else is 10# min. with no rods under a med power


But if that's what he likes. Have at it

[fiker]

When I first got into Bass fishing I did use an ultralight to fish grubs with.  Back then I mostly caught smaller fish and fighting them on the UL was fun.  For me.
But, in order to catch and land fish I had to play them out more on the 4# line.  I came to the conclusion that I owed it to the fish to get them into the boat and back in the water as quickly as possible.  I quit using the UL rod for Bass altogether.

My ds rod is a St. Croix Avid.  They built this rod to be used for drop shot Bass.  It is a medium light rod with plenty of back bone.  I use 20# braid with a fluoro or sometimes mono leader.  I don't have any problems getting fish out of whatever and  into the boat quickly and humanely.

[motocross269]

In the elite event on LSC all the pros that I saw used long fence posts for rods........and heavier line, compared to what I use.....

[Got Fish??]

I have several ultralight rods and reels, I use them to  hone my fighting skills. There fun to use. I would never  use them in a tournament. Unless it was a light line tournament. I do use 8lb test line when I fish tournsments.

[Kal-Kevin]

I personally feel they are to light for tournaments but have friends that use them other wise. One guy I know has caught a boat load of bass on them and he will use ultra light to do it but he plays them a lot more them I like to.

[t-bone]

If you hook a 5 or 6 lber on a medium to medium heavy rod, you are in for a fight. No need for an ultralight rod, just find bigger fish. I lost a big fish the other day with pretty heavy setup and was left shaking my head for the rest of the night wishing I could have boated that fish. I don't like that feeling and don't want to repeat it often. If you tournament fish in Michigan and you target smallies, you want some strength in your equipment unless you like disappointment.

[Got Fish??]

It's not about catching bigger or more fish with ultralight gear. It's about  drag set,patients  and playing the fish out. I  have landed  more and bigger fish. After practicing with  my ultralight gear. I use 8lb or 10lb test line and 2-3ot hooks, med to med-heavy rods. When i fish clear water. I find  I get more hook ups. If your fishing cover, dirty water or water with a lot of riprap on the bottom. That's a different horse of another color.  Knowing the limits of your gear is key, when fishing tournaments. Or even fishing in general.