Hey there, I've not posted in a while. This year has been rough. I'm going to try to get back to post regularly.

In my time away one of my buddies turned me onto ultralight fishing. He'd come into work claiming to have caught 40 fish that morning and I always assumed he was telling a fish tale. I finally go out one morning with him and saw him catch 40 fish out of an office park pond. A humbling and exciting moment to be sure.

Long story short he put me on his juice. Ultralight tackle and throwing tiny little "trout magnet" jigs. I've started throwing these and my fish numbers are likewise double digits just bank fishing. Now, it's not all bass, but it's enough good size bass (3-4 lbs) that I'm super happy with it.

You all ever go down this rabbit hole? I'm talking ultralight rod, 4 lbs test, and swimming 1/64 oz jigheads. It's a lot of fun and works well!

Hmm it’s funny but someone else just posted something similar. I will say that although my favorite retention ponds aren’t giving up 3-4 pounders I really do think I can catch more fish as well throwing smaller presentations. I have a handful of spinning rods with 3 being true ultralight’s and I finally bought a proper bfs rod that I’m hoping works out as well.

Oh this is a rabbit hole I love and I extensively went into for about a 2 year period, it was a blast! Overtime I've built a dedicated ultralight fishing tackle box full of finesse poppers, trout magnets, micro chatterbaits, and tiny crankbaits. Typically catches a smaller class fish but oh man those occassional 3 and 4 pound bass give you a run for your money on 4lb line.

It really can up your numbers and honestly its just fun fishing. It gives a little bit of high stakes action on that light line and it makes reeling in even a 2lb fish a good fight. To me I use it to just enjoy myself and have the most fun possible during a trip. I'll even bring some night crawlers to mix it up and catch bluegill in between catching bass. Whats most fun is watching a bluegill hit your worm and immediately after seeing a maw open up behind it to inhale that bluegill!

I've also learned more about fish behavior when ultralight fishing for some reason. Its helped me built trust that fish will find my lure no matter what, which gives me alot of confidence since I night fish alot of stained or muddy water. They can locate these itty bitty lures and nail them, and they can do the same even when they can't see well. It also gives more time to feel how a fish fights, what they prioritize when fighting etc.

It gets put away when I get "serious" for a trip though. Thats when the big guns come out especially if I'm really trying to target a larger fish.

Yes. I spend a lot of time in this particular arena. My ponds are all a mix of bass, panfish and stocker trout. Ideally, I want a bait that could appeal to all three. Do you have any 1/16 or 1/32nd bullet weights? A 1/32nd bullet with a Texas rigged micro plastic is stupid effective at catching fish.

48 minutes ago, MontanaBasser said:

Yes. I spend a lot of time in this particular arena. My ponds are all a mix of bass, panfish and stocker trout. Ideally, I want a bait that could appeal to all three. Do you have any 1/16 or 1/32nd bullet weights? A 1/32nd bullet with a Texas rigged micro plastic is stupid effective at catching fish.

Oh that's super interesting. What kind of micro plastics and hooks are you using?

53 minutes ago, MontanaBasser said:

Yes. I spend a lot of time in this particular arena. My ponds are all a mix of bass, panfish and stocker trout. Ideally, I want a bait that could appeal to all three. Do you have any 1/16 or 1/32nd bullet weights? A 1/32nd bullet with a Texas rigged micro plastic is stupid effective at catching fish.

3 minutes ago, Rucksack said:

Oh that's super interesting. What kind of micro plastics and hooks are you using?

As already stated I’m very interested to hear as well.

21 minutes ago, Eric 26 said:

As already stated I’m very interested to hear as well.

My favorite stuff comes from moondogbaitco.com. For hooks I use the #8 EWGs he sells or some #6&4 from Decoy. For weights I like Nako tungsten. Another good web company is creeklifelureco.com They have some baits that are really innovative. Finally, Z-man micro series. The TPE has advantages(float) and disadvantages (hook set can be a problem).

Here are a bass and a trout I caught back to back earlier in the month. I was using a 1/8 tungsten bullet in front of GP/chart finesse leech from Moondog.

Moondog Bait Co -- Scratching a Niche https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/268400-moondog-bait-co-scratching-a-niche/

11 hours ago, Rucksack said:

Hey there, I've not posted in a while. This year has been rough. I'm going to try to get back to post regularly.

In my time away one of my buddies turned me onto ultralight fishing. He'd come into work claiming to have caught 40 fish that morning and I always assumed he was telling a fish tale. I finally go out one morning with him and saw him catch 40 fish out of an office park pond. A humbling and exciting moment to be sure.

Long story short he put me on his juice. Ultralight tackle and throwing tiny little "trout magnet" jigs. I've started throwing these and my fish numbers are likewise double digits just bank fishing. Now, it's not all bass, but it's enough good size bass (3-4 lbs) that I'm super happy with it.

You all ever go down this rabbit hole? I'm talking ultralight rod, 4 lbs test, and swimming 1/64 oz jigheads. It's a lot of fun and works well!

Ahhhhh, back to the beginning. The methods of youth when fishing was simple. It’s always been there but least we forget what got us here.

Good on ya, it’s about “catching “ isn’t it.

My finesse fishing is close to ultra lite fishing. Sometimes 4lb test 3” twister tail. Most of time 6lb test.

I fish rivers and creeks mostly, not really many lakes.

Back when I was growing up. I would go dig some worms and fish them most of the time. 😃

Carolina rig with a 1/16 tungsten weight, 12-24" of 2-4lb Maxima leader, 1" Powerbait minnow on a #8 mosquito hook. It will hook whatever may be present. Fun and versatile little rig. The same bait also works great on a 1-1.5g cheb weight.

Greetings @Rucksack and others,

I've got several decades of recreational angling adventures. Yeah, just another old guy. Through the years Ultra-lite gear allowed me to catch more fish. I'm all over that as that is just fun. It is rare, that I am compelled to upsize. I do OK using the UL gear.

I mentioned that UL gear cattches more for me. It is also easier for me to make very accurate casts. The lower overall mass makes it easy to manipulate for that level of precision. Out here in Southern AZ fishing waters are limited. They are also very pressured. Stealth with accuracy helps put things in your favor.

The UL gear is easier on me too. Keeping the load to a minimum is very helpful. I don't have to work too hard to recreate.

The other day I was out at one of the fishing locations just over 100 miles distant. So I had limited time there to do my thing. Being spring time, I figured I might find more spirited fish in the warmer areas. So I did upsize to rigs with 8 pound mono. After some time in mid-morning it was time for a change. Things were not happening. I went back to the truck and brought out the UL gear.

Using the UL gear, I had caught and released in the upper teens bunches of small large mouth bass. A great time to have any fish on-line using the UL gear. Right about lunch time there was over 10 minutes of high drama as I hooked into an over 5 pound channel cat using the weedless worm segment. Both fish and I were pretty tired.

Yeah, I have many reasons to prefer UL angling. Yes, you can catch double digit sized fish on 4 pound mono, just do it carefully with some good fortune!

Enjoy the UL gear and catching fish! Be well, Cheers!

@Fishing_Rod you've got a great way with words and are really inspiring me to keep with it! What a fantastic sounding day.

For the uneducated, would yall mind listing a couple examples of UL setups? As in, what reels match with a UL rod to make up a UL combo?

Greetings @Red Beard , and others,

There are a number of very nice UL spinning rigs available at the popular retailers. Easy to shop and find gear within your comfort zone.

The rig I use frequently is made up of a Shimano Sienna 500 series reel, with 4 pound mono, mounted to a Shimano Stimula 5.5 foot UL rod. Back when I purchased each the total was close to $50 USD. I believe current day costs are similar.

A few years ago while at my local big box retailer, I saw a packaged combo rig by Shimano with the 500 series Sienna reel and a very similar rod. The rod was not marked with a name as I believe it was a dedicated combo package. I bought a couple of them and they handle similar to what I compiled for my rig. Those combos have color coordination with visual appeal, stunning!

The other rig is a lower cost basic BFS reel, also with 4 pound mono, it is mounted to a Shakespeare 5.5 foot Reverb rod. The rod was part of a low cost spin cast combo. The rod had a nice action for my needs. It works well for me tossing things around the 1/16 oz ( 2 ~ 3 ish grams) weight range.

The BFS reel is a right hand retrieve, so I cast it using my left hand. The spinning reel is left hand retrieve and it gets handled using my right hand. It makes the angling adventure go smoothing switching back and forth between the two. Both sides get a nice workout, it keeps me balanced.

Also both configurations are similar in overall weight. Both are pretty light so again, easy on me while facilitating those precision casts due to the low mass.

The main advantage is the modest cost. The other is the high utility to me. The 5.5 foot package fits easily inside the cab of the ole pickup truck. Similarly, when using the kayak the length makes things easier for me when catching and releasing, I’m not fumbling or fussing with overly long whippy rods. Even when I put them on deck, there is minimum overhang so minimal snag risk when poking about the reeds and weeds.

I hope that helps provide perspective with rationale for an understanding of my approach.

Be well, Cheers!

In all reality BFS and Ultralight fishing equipment is the same, just with different names.

Distinguishing differences is the BFS movement made an ultralight spinning rig into a baitcasting set up. You can accomplish the same ends with either setups, throwing the same ultra light baits, lures and weights.

My ultralight setup is a 500 series spinning reel on a 5’6” “light” spinning rod with 6lb copoly line. I also use a 6’4” medium light BFS casting rod with a 100 sized BFS reel and 8lb braid for up 1/4oz moving lures.

Both combos will throw the same lures so depending on what I’m fishing determines which gets used at that moment.

I also have a micro setup which will throw a 1/32 lure ,,,,forever!

It a five foot Tsurinoya Dragon light trout rod and Hurricane reel used for trout lures and tiny bass lures in creeks. All thrown on two pound nylon line. It’s a hoot!

I run a Leland TCB ultralight rod, 4 lbs mono, and a Piscusfun viper 500. I also have a St. Croix light rod that I run a viper on.

PS

I'll brag a bit and share yesterday I brought in a 3.5 lbs bass on my light gear throwing a trout magnet. Felt like Moby Dick.

Greetings All,
@Rucksack You are most kind. I do put in a good effort to be clear. I suspect it is that English as a second language thing.

By the way, here is a photo of the 10 minutes of high drama dealing with the channel cat.

Somehow I've not figured out how to get them to hold still while the countdown timer rolls. Oh, so it goes...

@Motoboss Yes, that is a fair characterization of general BFS marketing. One of the reasons I chose to investigate was to figure out how it could be of utility to me.

The overall weight and handling are pretty similar between my two rigs. Where the difference became clearer is retrieve characteristics. This was very evident over the colder months here where I had fun with the stocked trout using metal spoons. I did do several side by side comparisons using same line and same Kastmaster 1/8 oz.

Both caught a bunch of trout. It was more the user experience that was the difference. Sending the spoon and starting the retrieve was easier on me with the BFS. I did not have to confirm the line was taunt before starting the retrieve. Mainly due to thumb action required to halt the spool at cast conclusion. The spinning reel has a bit more user engagement needed to administer to the reel, even when feathering the spool in the winds.

The wind issue highlights a difference too. Tossing the BFS into the wind required adjustment of the magnetic brakes by several clicks. Then when the wind changed to gain the distance compelled adjustment of the magnetic brake to gain back that distance. So, in the gusty, swirling conditions, you are fussing with the BFS to optimize and control the spool. Using the spinning rig doesn't matter much when dealing with wind other than keeping the line associated to your finger for cast prep. There were a few occasions the wind gust were strong enough to blow the line clear of my finger. Yes, crazy wintertime AZ weather. I manged to catch trout even during 'red flag' conditions.

I greatly appreciate the click style drag on the BFS just as it is with the spinning reel. I'm not a fan of the silent drag on traditional bait cast reels.

This is just my comparison of how I use dynamic, moving, baits.

I don't find much of a difference when using the two using slower baits like with soft plastics rigged weedless. Those operate at a slower pace. Because there is no open hook you've got all the time in the world.

The other difference is attributed to the limited window of happy sized (weight,mass) baits with the BFS. My reel has a bottom level at about 1/16 oz. Just too much diligence required to go lower in weight than that. If there is a way I've not discovered it, yet. I try from time to time and do what I can without blowing up the reel.

My spinning gear does not have the size (weight, mass) limitation. I frequently use 1/64, 1/32 oz rigs. Those are fine on the spinning UL rig. No drama. I like that. Yes, the fish, bass, like it too!

At this time I'm not prepared to identify if the BFS constraint is the reel or me. The lower cost BFS reel is not known for adequate magnetic brake force for those smaller mass baits. Then again I've been re-learning how to cast better through the use of bait cast reels. More learning for sure. Hopefully, much more catching associated too!

The BFS has a place for my use case. Not quite equally as versatile as the UL spinning rig.

I did have a great time doing the initial comparison. I got to enjoy a fantastic number of trout meals. Trout season is my time to harvest. In my region there are consumption advisories due to the tainted water quality. The trout are not native to these waters and only available for that limited time. So, they are safer to harvest.

I greatly enjoy recreating during my angling adventures. That means, plenty of catching, with minimal effort. I don't want to work too hard to have fun.

I hope some of this has been of assistance. Wishing everyone well, Cheers!

@Fishing_Rod Your observations mirror mine. Below 1/8th oz and I would prefer to be on spinning gear. But, the nature of a casting reel makes it possible to present baits differently. Have you tried pitching and flipping with BFS? I have had good luck pitching small soft plastics under overgrowth along small creeks and streams. With a short rod and practice, it's possible to sneak under the bushes and be nearly silent entering the water. Have you tried the Yo-zuri L minnow for trout? It's a great little trout plug/crank.

I also believe I catch more fish downsizing. Sometimes small, sometimes big ones. I caught this fish, 5.86 on a 1/16 little jig with a skirt and a 2” craw. Another nice one on the same setup:

I was a hard core UL guy. For decades.

I had stopped, briefly, because the tiny baits and tackle were very difficult to get in North America. But then there seemed to be a renaissance in UL fishing with BFS being added. And that allowed for more baits and gear availability.

I still fish nothing heavier than Light. But with the current technology of high end rods, I can throw 1/16 th and lighter in these rods.

I've tested so much UL/L gear over the years.

FWIW, my favorite UL EWG hooks are the Ryugi Infini Hobbit (light wire) and the Decoy SS Worm 19 ("heavy" wire). They go all the way down to #8! It's a bit comical to see a teeny #8 EWG!

Here's #4 and #8 compared for your amusement!

On 4/30/2026 at 12:49 PM, RRocket said:

I was a hard core UL guy. For decades.

I had stopped, briefly, because the tiny baits and tackle were very difficult to get in North America. But then there seemed to be a renaissance in UL fishing with BFS being added. And that allowed for more baits and gear availability.

I still fish nothing heavier than Light. But with the current technology of high end rods, I can throw 1/16 th and lighter in these rods.

I've tested so much UL/L gear over the years.

FWIW, my favorite UL EWG hooks are the Ryugi Infini Hobbit (light wire) and the Decoy SS Worm 19 ("heavy" wire). They go all the way down to #8! It's a bit comical to see a teeny #8 EWG!

Here's #4 and #8 compared for your amusement!

What plastic are you rigging on those EWGs? Those look like a blast!

Greetings, and Happy Friday All!

@MontanaBasser

Yes, more pitching rather than flippling, when using the BFS rig. The subtle spool drag works favorably for a softer entry approach speed. It appears to be a smoother presentation in those shallower locations. Lowers the spook factor. Very helpful out here where there is so little water and everyone is out there.

I do what I can to try the non-typical spots because of the gear I use. The higher accuracy provides more reachable locations. When you do connect the drama begins. Some times it is necessary to back way off the tension after the initial sweep. This way they don't thrash until you're able to 'guide' or coax them to more open conditions where the UL gear is better suited for a protracted struggle.

I find the similar feature with extra hang time to slide things under overhangs. It does take some time and practice to get it all to play properly. My neighbors are of the opinion I'm on the wonky side for practice casting in my wife's lovely front garden, just for that ability to slide the baits without penalty (I can get my bait back if stuck in the shrubs). It can be done with spinning reels but the finger feathering is not like what can be done with the spool inertia or simply dialing the magnetics. It is all good learning. OK, I admit I've not devoted as much time on the spinning gear, yet. Later, I'm having fun, right?

I have only been working the lakes, ponds, and urban canals here in AZ. Later in the spring I may have time to try up in the highland streams. The trout and small mouth bass are always good times in those alpine regions. Unfortunately for me, that requires several hundred miles to get there. So, not a day trip. Soon enough. I have a truck and I'm not afraid to use it. OK, the fuel prices are scary right now.

I will look into those smaller EWGs!

I've used 4s and 6s with very good success. Tucson has a hardware store handy on the east side and they keep those Gamakatsu EWGs in regular inventory. Those smaller EWGs may work really well with the Micro TRDs to create a sort of Necko or simply a better proportioned weedless micro worm.

@RRocket thanks for posting info on them!

Sigh, almost done with document purgatory for the week. Time to go and retie some knots and get ready for possible weekend adventures. Hah, "Frayed knot" syndrome.

Be well, Cheers!

6 hours ago, Rucksack said:

What plastic are you rigging on those EWGs? Those look like a blast!

#8 : Fish Arrow Flash-J Slim 1.5"

Fish Arrow Flash-J 1"

Keitech Custom Leech 3"

Ice fishing 1" swimbait

#4 is the Geecrack recommended hook for the 2.8" Bellows stick. These look like a fat grub ready to explode!

A 1/16 oz. inline spinner, or a small Original Floating Minnow will catch anything in the lake.