So when is ultra lite too light? Some of the ultra lite spinning reels available today are so tiny and lite that at least in my experience, are just too lite to use. They are more like toys. I have had a couple and they were difficult to cast and often would get tangled up. Lite is OK, but ultra lite is just too lite. Rods that are called ultra lite seem to be OK as long as they are not over 5'6". I prefer the older stuff and have some pretty lite vintage reels that are just right. Some of these have been labeled as "ultra lite" but they are still not as lite as some of the newer offerings available today.

Joe

I’ve got a up st croix trout series... I use it for trout, that’s about it

I don't use them, but I spent a week fishing for walleye and northerns in northwest Ontario this past June with my 77 year old mother and she outfished me using just ultra-lights....handled 24 inch walleyes and 30 inch northern pike just fine.   Her wrists won't handle more than a couple hours with my gear, but she managed almost 10 hours per day with ultra-lights just fine.

Too light for realistic bass fishing presentations, sure, but ultralight is a blast for panfish, trout, and other species. I have a St. Croix Avid rated 1-4lb test and I wouldn't go past that, 1/16oz is a heavy bait on it. A big bluegill is a knock dow , drag out fight, it's a lot of fun.

Use rebel critters and beetle spns with 4 and 6 # test...with shimano sienna spinning 1000...with shakespeare 5'6' light rod...in desoto national park and small creeks...small fish...2 & 3 pound bass are monsters and rare...each to his own...

 

I have a 7'6" ultra lite my brother gave me years ago and it just sits in the rack with 1000 spinning reel on it. It is like a buggy whip and will only handle really, really light baits.  I did land a small striper on it once using a shad dart (1/32oz) on the Potomac and that was a real thrill.