Light tackle means different things to different people. Here is my take on the how to and benefits of light fishing, the biggest of which is catching more bass! To me, it means a 6- to 7-foot rod that weighs only three or four ounces with a very soft tip, such as the Duckett Micro Magic Medium or Medium Heavy spinning rods. The reel is of the open-faced type, LEW’s LS300 which is designed for four to eight-pound test line. I hardly ever use the eight-pound line, relying on either four- or six-pound test and in the Fluorocarbon Vicious Elite.
With this set up, I can easily cast lures weighing as little as 1/16- to 1/8 ounces jigs and including small crankbaits. Some anglers live by the old adage, “It takes a big lure to catch a big fish.” This isn’t always accurate, especially during the cold winter months. Sure, you might lose a few bigger fish that might have been landed on heavier tackle, but experience has shown that one can often catch 10 times more fish by using light tackle.
During winter and hot summer months, many lakes and ponds tend to become gin-clear, making it easier for fish to spot heavy lines. The four- and six-pound lines, in most cases, are nearly invisible to fish, even in very clear water. You must have the proper rod and reel combination. The reel must have a drag system that works well and does not freeze up. This is essential because a big fish can easily break the light line if the drag doesn’t work properly. Your rod needs a good soft tip, while yet having a strong back bone for the hook-set. My light tackle/line lures include Rapala Shad Raps, SPRO Little John Crankbaits, Missile Baby D-Bombs, Turbo Tail, Fuse 4.4 rigged on a Spot Remover 1/8 ounce head.
If you have never tried light fishing, you are in store for a treat; not to mention that you will get more strikes. You may be wondering what situations would be best to get started with light fishing. Here is some situations when I change over to light tackle:
Light tackle and methods may be used anytime by anglers who find this style and philosophy of fishing appealing. However, there are a few special situations where light tackle is the most practical and productive fishing method available.
Where fishing pressure is heavy: Heavily pressured fish get spooky, and they become less likely to bite large, fast moving baits. However, they are much more prone to eat lures that are inconspicuous in terms of size and action.
Extremely clear water: Crystal clear water is another condition that makes fish spooky. Thin line is less visible, and smaller baits are more visible, and smaller baits are less threatening, hence more appealing, than larger lures with abrasive actions.
Post-cold front conditions: When a cold front blows through and the barometer rises, bass get uncomfortable, much like a human with indigestion. Offer him a steak, and he will turn it down flat. But pass a spoon of vanilla ice cream in front of him, and he’ll probably take it. Ultra-light is the vanilla ice cream of fishing.
When natural forage is small: Sometimes, when minnows or insects are small, predator fish refuse to bite larger baits, but smaller lures which approximate the size of the natural food will still work.
Next time you go to hit the water, especially if conditions are tough and the fish have shut down, remember to try light fishing for smallmouth bass
Capt. Jake Davis is a USCG Licensed Professional Fishing Guide, on Tim’s Ford and Lake Guntersville; to reserve your “Day on the Lake,” visit www.midsouthbassguide.com or call/email (615) 613-2382 msbassguide@comcast.net
.