"The Truth About Light Tackle" 2024
roadwarrior reply :
If you skipped this article by Craig De Fronzo (earthworm77), go back to the Home Page and pull it up!
Craig has written a short article summarizing some of the high points from his new book. I think we are all interested in ways to improve our catch, both in terms of quantity and quality. This is a very intersting article that I hope everyone takes the time to read.
Comments welcome. What do you think about light tackle techniques? Is this a part of your fishing package? Have they worked for you?
justfishin reply :
Thanks for the heads up on this article. It was well written as well as well rounded. It covered all the bases. The writer obviously knows his stuff. I use both light and heavy tackle but, for river fishing and fast water as well as in the gin clear lakes of Western Maryland light tackle is what you have to use. I have caught some #6+ green bass fishing light tackle and a ton of smallies in the #5-#6 range over the years on #6 and #8 line. I really didn't like spinning rods until about 15 years ago but, I have to admit it has made a difference in my fishing. That Stradic and #8 test certainly fill a lot of the venues I fish. Opps, did I mention Shimano Stradic? , am I bad ?, lol.
guest reply :
Thaks for the direction to that article Roadwarrior I fish light a lot. #7 Rapalas, finesse worms I even trig light drop shot worms Im really tire and just got off work Im gonna sleep I think I can add some constuctive experience toi this thread b/c It is very sucsessful for Later fellas 
jdw174 reply :
I can't begin to remember all the LM and SM that I pulled out from under boat docks on Chautauqua lake in western NY using an AllStar SRML rod spooled with 8lb SST line. The lure was always a 3" tube jig rigged with an original Gitzit 1/16oz head. This lure was skipped up underneath the docks, and some of those fish went to 4+lb. That's about as light as it gets for this kid..........
jomatty reply :
in the recent thread about what we planned on working on in the coming year i was stumped. believe me i have no shortage of weaknesses but couldnt really think of one that needed more attention.
now i remember. i used to fish spinning gear almost exclusively but became so obsessed with learning to us bc equipment and learning to pitch that i stopped using it very much at all. even when i know i should downsize i use baitcasting gear anyways. about the only thing i fish on spinning gear anymore is shaky heads and drop shots and i dont fish them much at all. this year im going to start using the lighter gear more for sure. i may start fishing senkos on spinning gear, although im not totally sold on that yet. more likely it will depend on what size line i can get away with. anyways great read and now ive got my new years resolution (or one of them anyways).
matt
fishinyank reply :
I guess all I fish is light tackle, I've never fished over ten pound line for bass. Ive never found it nessecary up here in NY where a big largemouth is six or seven pounds. Besides, lighter line allows better action in your lure, and is harder to detect by the fish, etc, etc.
senile1 reply :
This was a good introduction to Earthworm's book and the general issues surrounding the use of light tackle. I do use 8 lb test with lighter lures quite a bit, but after reading this I believe I should make a concerted effort to experiment more with the light side.
RW or Earthworm, where can this e-book be purchased? Can we get it from this site?
Raul reply :
What do you think about light tackle techniques?
A versatile angler has to adapt to the conditions, to how behavior of fish will be affected by those conditions, an angler that can adapt will be more successful than one that doesn 't adapt, you no longer let "luck" dictate, they don 't want to bite ? you make them bite.
Is this a part of your fishing package?
Yes it is, I always have at least one outfit rigged and ready to be called upon action in case of being needed.
Have they worked for you?
Certainly, I grew up fishing for trout in crystal clear impoundments, when I moved to bass country I discovered that bass can be as spooky as trout and the same techniques can be applied to them and they work.
MALTESE FALCON reply :
FOR YEARS I WOULD ONLY FISH WITH MY ULTRA LIGHT SPINNING TACKLE. IT WAS ALWAYS VERY PRODUCTIVE. ONCE I STARTED USING MY BAITCASTING EQUIPMENT I HARDLY EVER PICK UP MY LIGHT TACKLE.
MAYBE IT'S TIME TO RE-THINK MY STRATEGY.
earthworm77 reply :
If anyone is interested in the book, you can either PM me or go directly to my site where it is available. I'm not sure if I can post the website address but since it was asked about I will, if it is in any violation, I'm sure it will tactfully be editted.
www.micromunchtackle.com
roadwarrior reply :
Well, no you can't post your website. But, every situation is evaluated on its own merits and some exceptions are made....
I think this might be one of those exceptions!
Craig, you know YOU turned my fishing around a few years ago and I REALLY appreciate that. I attribute a lot of my success fishing for smallmouth bass to smaller diameter line.
You introduced me to Yo-Zuri...Thank you!
clipper reply :
When I started fishing Lake Allatoona, I was using 12 and 14 lb line like I used to. I caught nothing in the deep clear waters of the the Dead Sea. Then I took some advice and switched to 8 lb line and smaller baits and started catching fish. I now fish 4 lb line on Allatoona using one of Ray Scott's light tackle outfits and get a lot more fun out of catching the 12-14" spots that predominate that lake. I also do fine on the occassional larger bass as well. My current goal is to land a bass larger than five pounds on 4 lb line. I caught one that would go 4+ lbs at Charlie Elliot last spring out of a small tree top using 4 lb test line. I managed to get the bass to open water and keep it there.
I enjoyed the article as it reinforced what I have been doing. I failed to see one important practice mentioned in the article that is vital to success with light line, that is retying after every fish or hangup. Also, check your line often for nicks and frayed places. I will use 8 lb line when the situation calls for it or if I'm using a bait that might get taken by a large hybrid or striper. I dont throw my Lucky Craft lures on 4lb line! If you want to add enjoyment to your fishing, pick up a good light tackle rig. A 3 lb bass on 4lb test line is a real thrill.
guest reply :
Hey Fellas this is my favorite light tackle approach I like to use drop shot worms ( Robo and manns finesse hardheads) 3 to 4 inches in green i use spinning Gear (6'6"Med St. Croix Premier Rod Pflueger President#35 spooled with 6 # test Mono) I put a small barrell swivel(no Sap) on the tag end and 8 to 12" of leader a light wire 1/0 wide gap hook T rig them weedless and on emerging weeds, right in front of Pads and around any shoreline structure THIS IS DEADLY most of the Bass are less than 2#'s but most are keepers ( in my lake15") and the fish usually get lip hooked so C&R is easy I love to fish this way particularly in late spring and early summer
bassnleo reply :
Reading the article made me realize how much I do use light tackle in combination with heavier gear. I really never thought of my approaches or techniques as finessing or light tackle but I guess I'm guilty!
Using properly balanced spinning gear is one of my favorite ways to skip baits around cover and under docks. Someone else above mentioned Chautauqua Lake and skipping baits under docks. The pic of me on Low Budget Hookers members video III thread, well, that's a 4 pound smallmouth that came from under a dock on Chautauqua, 8 lb floro line, and on a tube rigged with a 1 /16 oz weight that was skipped waaayyy back into a shady pocket beside a pontoon boat. That fish fought really hard and was wrapped around a post at one point, I still managed to get him out and in the boat on 8 lb test.
Another thought....
I love to catch steelhead when it's to cold for bassin. It's not uncommon to catch 8-10 lb steelhead that will fight for minutes and minutes and jump mulitple times. All of this is usually on 4-8 lb test due to really clear water and spooky fish. The key to landing them? A longer, lighter action rod that will absorb the head shakes, long runs, jumps, IE: balanced equpiment.
Can this be applied to bass fishing. I think absolutely, and I have. I'm firmly convincd that steelhead fishing has improved my skills when it comes to catching and landing bass on lighter tackle.
Nice article Craig!
earthworm77 reply :
It is kind of an interesting story how I got invloved with light tackle. Back in the late 1980's or so as soon as I was old enough to drive, I got a boat and spent like 250+ days a year on the water for several consecutive years. There came a point where I had felt my fishing was mundane and I had peaked as an angler. A trip to Florida and the advice of a guide to downsize changed my whole out look on bass fishing. Oh yea, I also caught a 13.9 on 6lb line while I was down there. Anyway I took this back to NY with me and dedicated a season to learning light line methods. By the next year I had become formidable with it and I was fishing tournaments with no experience against guys who we good anglers. The light tackle approach was wrecking them despite their experience and I gained a reputation as a good competitor as well as big fish guy. It was kind of the building block for my approach and I certainly gained part of my reputation based on light gear know how. I had gone on to take a really large number of bass over 5lbs despite using light gear. It worked out really well even though many people could understand that you could be successful fishing this way. The bottom line is that it is simply a fun way to fish.
roadwarrior reply :
It is a fun way to fish!
Grey Wolf reply :
I love lite tackle.
Ozarker reply :
I liked the part about "balanced tackle" the best. I think too often people pick rods with reels and line and lures that do not work well togather. For example, I just read in another post where someone tried 20# P-Line CXX and said it was like speaker cable. It probably would if you were using a T-rigged Worm or tube and a 1/4oz weight. But put a 1/2 oz jig with a trailer on there and see what happens. JMHO
Siebert Outdoors reply :
Ok, someone please throw me a clue. Do you have a link for this article?
dodgeguy reply :
I'VE KNOWN CRAIG FOR A FEW YEARS NOW FROM NYBASS.BEFORE I EVER HEARD OF HIM I USED TO STRICTLY POWERFISH.I STILL ONLY HAVE 1 SPINNING ROD BUT I USE IT TO FISH LIGHT BAITS.I DON'T FISH AS LIGHT AS CRAIG DOES BUT HE HAS INFLUENCED MY FISHING.OPPS,SORRY FOR THE CAPS LOCK!!!i never thought i would fish 8 and 10 pound line on a spinning road with small tubes.4 icnh senkos and shakey head fishing can also save the day.
roadwarrior reply :
GMAN,
This is earthworm77's article:
http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/light_line.html
-Drums- reply :
QuoteI liked the part about "balanced tackle" the best. I think too often people pick rods with reels and line and lures that do not work well togather. For example, I just read in another post where someone tried 20# P-Line CXX and said it was like speaker cable. It probably would if you were using a T-rigged Worm or tube and a 1/4oz weight. But put a 1/2 oz jig with a trailer on there and see what happens. JMHO
That was me; and not to derail this thread, but you brought it up so I thought I'd respond. FYI, it's a 5/8 ounce jig & chunk I've got on the end of that 20# CXX. It still handles like a slinky. But that said, your point is absolutely valid about balanced tackle and I fully agree.
-Rich
Ozarker reply :
Drums,
The heaviest P-line CXX I have used is 15lb. and I have to say that it does have quite a lot of memory and is stiff. I can imagine what 20lb. would be like. But the stuff is so TUFF and has little stretch and that is why I liked it. I also like 15lb Trilene Big Game which is a little softer but not quite as tuff.
roadwarrior reply :
I don't think earthworm77 had 20 lb P-Line or 15 lb Big Game in mind when he wrote the article. Lighter line and especially thinner diameters have fewer memory issues.
-Drums- reply :
QuoteI don't think earthworm77 had 20 lb P-Line or 15 lb Big Game in mind when he rote the article. Lighter line and especially thinner diameters have fewer memory issues.
Agreed. So, since I contributed to steering us off topic, let me help try to bring it back. Today I'll be fishing a pond (which I've never been to or even seen) with an old friend of mine. I plan on starting with the lighter shakey-head setup, rather than falling back to it if needed. Spinning tackle, 8lb. P-line, 1/8oz. jig head. I realize this is towards the upper end of the light tackle spectrum earthworm77 wrote about, but I think it still qualifies. I'm psyched!
Ozarker reply :
Sorry for using the somewhat unrelated example. I have fished light tackle for years for river smallies. 6lb test mostly. Last year I switched to Hybrid 6lb. which is about .001" larger than what 6lb. I had previously used. So far I have not noticed a difference but I may have to do a little head to head fishing this winter because this seems to be when the fish are pickiest and it matters the most.
roadwarrior reply :
Ozarker,
Although I "recommend" #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft for everyone's spinning rig, I actually use #4 (.009" diameter, 8.5 lb test) on my main smallmouth rod.
earthworm77 reply :
I've been popping the bass on 4lb Yo Zuri Soft on a float n fly rig here on the river in Fl. This stuff is strong, especially when you have a 10lb+ mudfish whack you jig and go through a no holds barred fight.
Garnet reply :
In my multi species fishing I use between 2lb and 80 lb.
In my area most water is clear to drinking water.
I use 2 lb leaders ice fishing for perch/crappie. 4lb for Steelhead I would catch more if I down sized.
8 and 10 for walleye mostly bucktail jigs/plastic and small cranks.
Bass Fishing I use 8 to 80 mostly I go for the lightest line without being on the edge.
Most anglers can get the fish hooked but never learn how to fight fish on lighter line.
If you have a fish hooked and they start pulling hard just by dropping your wrist and still keeping your line tight that fish can run 10-15 ft and never pull drag. Now you can decrease your drag by pointing your rod almost straight at a running fish and still miantain a tight line. As the fish slows down you put bend back in your rod.
This is a bit of a dance but you will land a ton more fish on light line.
In smallie fishing it's harder to land 2-3 lb fish than 5's. The little ones just freakout were the bigguns use power.
Garnet
roadwarrior reply :
Garnet,
I'm not dissing your technique, it obviously works for you, but my suggestion is 180 degrees different than yours. I would NEVER point my rod at a fish! The rod is what fights a fish. If the drag is PROPERLY set, a big fish can run line against drag and the fisherman can still apply a great deal of heat to the rod. When I am fighting a big smallmouth, my rod is pointed up at 11-12 o'clock.Since converting to Yo-Zuri Hybrid and Hybrid Ultra Soft, I have never been broken off by a fish. I generally recommend #6 (11.9 lb test) for spinning tackle, but I actually fish #4. Both of the brown fish in my avatar were caught on this line (#4).
I also have to disagree with you on the fight. Both largemouth and smallmouth change dramatically at around 3 lbs. The body mass of the fish is the major factor, especially in current. The fat fish in my avatar was the hardest fighting fish I have ever caught in freshwater. I hooked-up with the fish between the boat and the bank. The bass ran a short distance downstream to get around the boat, then headed to deep water in the middle of the Tennessee River. That particular fish ran nearly 100 yards of line, against drag until it turned and jumped. When I finally got it to the boat, it surged and ran more than 25 yards the second time. The fish was fighting the rod the entire time. BTW, the rod is a G.Loomis PR844S, a Medium Power, light saltwater rig! I'm telling you, that was quite a fish.
Garnet reply :
I think you are mistaking pointing the rod at a fish and leting them have slack line never to I let a fish get slack line.
Garnet
Garnet reply :
I made it back from the boat show.
You are right open water fish have but 2 tools the jump. Truly large fish are rotten jumpers. If you hold max presure on a jumping fish you will lose lots. Get your rod infront of you keep a bend in the rod and use your wrist to neutralize head shake.
The surge is a truly large fishs #1 weapon. Even if the fish is 100ft away the surge is dangerous just a little sticky drag can be bad. You see people lose gaints at the boat by keeping the rod bent to max and relying on the drag. When that fish makes 1 more surge from a rod postion above your head just drop your wrist at the speed your brute fish is surging. If the fish starts slowing down with your wrist apply pressure until you are in max rod position.
Fighting fish in this manner makes lighter line angling easier and will give you more tools for largies in the junk around docks ect.
Garnet
Garnet
roadwarrior reply :
Three weeks ago my partner hooked up with what turned out to be an 8 lb smallmouth. When it jumped 2-3' out of the water I thought it might be the new World Record. Two years ago the same guy, my partner Speedy Madewell, boated the only 10 lb smallmouth I have ever seen. Immediately after the strike, this bad girl came boiling out of the water in what appeared to be a 3-4" jump, her next two were not quite as high, but she still showed quite a bit of enthusiasm.
I hate to be so aggressive, but have you actually ever caught a big smallmouth?
Almost everything in your last several posts is incorrect and sounds as if it is being retold from someone else that doesn't know brown fish from green trout. I gave you some slack earlier about pointing your rod at a fish, but you have continued down a slippery slope. If there is a misunderstanding, I would like to clear it up. Otherwise, let's just drop it. I am not trying to embarass you or drive a point.
On topic.
You can't catch a trophy fish unless you first get it hooked-up. Light line leads to more bites.
burleytog reply :
Big smallies can fight for forever, then have enough energy in reserve to fight for 10 more minutes.
They never give up.
cart7t reply :
I used to think 14lb line was the only way to go on a reel. Nowadays, I spool up with mostly 12 with quite a few rods with 10. I suppose if I was fishing clearer lakes I'd probably see a bigger difference in catch rates.
roadwarrior reply :
cart7,
I'm not convinced it makes a difference with largemouth bass unless the water is ultra-clear, but it makes a HUGE difference with smallmouth bass. Line diameter, not just visibility, can be crucial.
Garnet reply :
Sorry 7 lb smallies pb dozens of 6's. You need to hit the steelhead river to learn how to fight fish.
Basically if you hands like clubs you fight fish the same. You really need to try it.
Garnet
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