Big Fish on Light tackle, little baits 2024
Brad Reid reply :
Fishing has been so great here in sort of the pre-spawn/spawn period on Lake Athens in Texas. Well, two evenings ago, the LMB bite was slow; but, my neighbor was seeing plenty of fish on his electronics as he idled by. Hmm? Could it be the white bass have finally come in shallow to spawn? Is he seeing white bass?
So, yesterday afternoon I grabbed a finesse rod and reel, spooled with 2lbs. Sufix Nanobraid and a #2 Mepps Plain Aglia inline spinner in silver, thought I'd paddle around in my kayak and see what was down there.
No white bass, rats! So much fun to catch on light tackle as they grow extra large on our lake and make for a good fight. What did happen was I got into to some nice LMBs, sort of in the 2.5 lbs. range. On a 7'+ finesse rod, a 1000 series spinning reel and 2 lbs. test, you know I really let the rod do the work, took my time bringing them in.
Nothing, so far, over several seasons has ever snapped my 2 lbs. braid. Sufix says it is multiple times stronger than other similar lines, whatever that means. I have landed a 3+ lbs. white bass, an LMB close to 4.5 lbs. and about a 5 lbs. catfish with this in previous seasons.
I'd like to hear more stories, anecdotes, since it happens to all of us. We go out with gear for LMBs or SMBs and they want no part of it. Go out with some tiny finesse gear and tackle to target panfish or smaller fish? Some big fish jumps on it!
Cheers! Brad
Subaqua Adinterim reply :
I usually am fishing somewhat small to start with, since my primary technique is the ned rig. If that doesn't work, I try Trig and shakeyhead with bigger plastics. If the bass are having none of that, I have my ultralight setup with me in the kayak at all times. I usually throw small jigs with twister tail plastics or crappie magnet type plastics. I will also throw small spinners such as Panther Martin,as well as small Yozuri pin minnow type baits. By doing this I will at least be having fun catching all types of panfish; and I will usually catch several bass as well. As you know, catching bass is a blast on ultralight gear.
TOXIC reply :
When people find out I fish Senko's and DShads on the Potomac river on 6lb test, they look at me like I'm from outer space.
primetime reply :
As long as the structure is not too bad, weeds, abrasions etc..You can another site on light line, I never go as light as 2lb braid, but I believe you are correct with it being stronger than 2lb test.
I use 4lb Mono as my lightest, and in open water, I have landed some 4-5lb fish, but I prefer 6lb test and feel I can land just about any fish if I am patient and trust my drag....Although, even in open water, I have found that bigger bass will often win the battle since they will find structure to break you off.
Getting extra strikes with light tackle is addicting, however the landing ratio with quality fish can be difficult. I just really enjoy lighter tackle and sometimes get a bit greedy with it and use it in places I have no business attempting it.
I have not tried a small spinner in years. I am going to bring one the next time I go pond fishing, I forget about how good a small spinner can work.
microotter reply :
I transitioned from small creek trout fishing to bass fishing. My first couple bass setups were cheap ultralight trout rods and a light rated 2 piece shimano. My lures were inline spinners, the smallest rapalas (jointed shad raps, floating minnows, husky jerks), rebel wee craws, and beetle spins. I remember thinking that all of the bass lures looked way too big for the fish that I thought were near me. (Turns out even small bass hit big lures). Anyways, for the first couple of years before I got really into bass fishing I caught some nice fish on my ultralight crankbaits and inline spinners on light tackle. The other day I put a couple of the jointed shad raps in my backpack to try this Spring.
J Francho reply :
My biggest NY state bass is 7-2, caught on a 10" Powerworm and 1/2 oz. bullet weight using 50# braid. My second largest NY state bass was 7-1, caught on a 3/32 oz. wacky jig using a 6# leader. Go figure.
fishwizzard reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 2:13 AM, TOXIC said:When people find out I fish Senko's and DShads on the Potomac river on 6lb test, they look at me like I'm from outer space.
I am going to try to fish senkos “the right way” this season but I can’t make myself start with 6lb line. I am starting with 15lb braid to 10lb Sniper and will work down from there.
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 2:13 AM, TOXIC said:When people find out I fish Senko's and DShads on the Potomac river on 6lb test, they look at me like I'm from outer space.
????
Why do you use 6lb test?
OkobojiEagle reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 2:28 AM, J Francho said:My biggest NY state bass is 7-2, caught on a 10" Powerworm and 1/2 oz. bullet weight using 50# braid. My second largest NY state bass was 7-1, caught on a 3/32 oz. wacky jig using a 6# leader. Go figure.
They were both hungry...
oe
WRB reply :
I use 5 lb Maxima Ultra green for most of my finesse spinning and catch bass between 5 lbs to 7 lbs each year, caught a 13.2 lb LMB on 6 lb Maxima mono.
My biggest achievement was a 4 lb line class world record California Yellowtail 14 lbs 2 oz on 4 lb Maxima mono, record didn't last long however someone from New Zealand topped it the next year.
My 2 top LMB 19.3 lbs was caught on 10 lb Big Game mono, the 18.6 lb on 10 lb XT mono, all top 5 LMB were caught on 10 to 12 lb mono using hair jigs. I don't consider myself as a light line angler but sometimes you got to get bit and lighter line allows me make longer casts.
Check your line and retie often, set drags accurately and play the fish, you can't be in a hurry using light line.
Tom
jimmyjoe reply :
For 5 years (about 9 years ago) I had arthritis so bad that all I could use was an ultralight. I used 4 lb mono, usually. I thought, "There's no big fish gonna hit those tiny little lures!"
Hahahahaha!
So I learned the hard way. Pike on a UL ain't easy, but it teaches you what a light setup really can do. But I know that I'm sooooo lucky to fish unobstructed water. If I had had to deal with slop, I'd have had to give up fishing. ???????? jj
A-Jay reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 7:33 AM, jimmyjoe said:For 5 years (about 9 years ago) I had arthritis so bad that all I could use was an ultralight. I used 4 lb mono, usually. I thought, "There's no big fish gonna hit those tiny little lures!"
Hahahahaha!
So I learned the hard way. Pike on a UL ain't easy, but it teaches you what a light setup really can do. But I know that I'm sooooo lucky to fish unobstructed water. If I had had to deal with slop, I'd have had to give up fishing. ???????? jj
Pike on light tackle can be quite an adventure ~
This one sure was for me.
A-Jay
WRB reply :
I spent about about 20 years fishing Ontario Canada during vacations with the inlaws at Lake of The Woods trying to catch a 40 lb class musky. Heavy musky tackle and Suick, Musky Hawks, Teddy and Bobby lures. I catch my PB musky one afternoon on my smallmouth bass outfit Abu 2500C reel with 1/4 oz jg on 8 lb mono,37 lbs. my wife was with me so this was a special fish.
Tom
Brad Reid reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 6:55 AM, WRB said:I use 5 lb Maxima Ultra green for most of my finesse spinning and catch bass between 5 lbs to 7 lbs each year, caught a 13.2 lb LMB on 6 lb Maxima mono.
My biggest achievement was a 4 lb line class world record California Yellowtail 14 lbs 2 oz on 4 lb Maxima mono, record didn't last long however someone from New Zealand topped it the next year.
My 2 top LMB 19.3 lbs was caught on 10 lb Big Game mono, the 18.6 lb on 10 lb XT mono, all top 5 LMB were caught on 10 to 12 lb mono using hair jigs. I don't consider myself as a light line angler but sometimes you got to get bit and lighter line allows me make longer casts.
Check your line and retie often, set drags accurately and play the fish, you can't be in a hurry using light line.
Tom
Tom, just based on my own experience, those I hear and read of others, I am sort of surprised that so few pro bass anglers seem to really scale down to get bites. I mean, yes, I know they do Drop Shot, but I mean like little spinnerbaits, finesse jigs and more. Maybe some do and I just don't know it.
I went down again this afternoon, just fished off by dock and I caught 2 nice bass and an average sized crappie. 2 lbs. braid and that same long finesse rod, 1000 series spinning reel.
With that 2 lbs. braid, I can cast a #2 Mepps Plain Aglia really far, cover a lot of water!
Brad
haggard reply :
A year or two ago I was trying for panfish with an ultralight and a small jig head and caught an accidental largemouth. Chunky but probably only a 2+ pounder. What a thrill it was bringing it in on that ultralight.
Now I always like to bring one panfish combo. There are many days when I don't land a single bass so on the way back to the launch it's satisfying to know I can at least catch a perch or bluegill before getting off the water. A day on the water without a fish is still a great day, but it's just better when you can land something, even a small something.
Vilas15 reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 7:33 AM, jimmyjoe said:So I learned the hard way. Pike on a UL ain't easy, but it teaches you what a light setup really can do. But I know that I'm sooooo lucky to fish unobstructed water. If I had had to deal with slop, I'd have had to give up fishing. ???????? jj
Same, there's some lily pads in one corner of the 10 lakes I fish and I don't go near 'em.
WRB reply :
The Texas state LMB record was caught by a crappie angler, sometimes elephants eat peanuts.
Tom
Bluebasser86 reply :
10lb braid, 8lb mono leader, ML/XF spinning rod, 1/16oz head with a #2 hook and a TRD (Ned rig).
One of my biggest 5 of the year last year fell for a 1/8oz micro finesse jig on 8lb flouro and a M/F spinning rod under a dock. Kind of easy to miss but the bait is laying on top of the fish on the measuring board picture.
TOXIC reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 4:10 AM, fishwizzard said:I am going to try to fish senkos “the right way” this season but I can’t make myself start with 6lb line. I am starting with 15lb braid to 10lb Sniper and will work down from there.
Give 8lb a try and you'll feel better and it will still work. The only braid I use on a Senko is in Michigan dragging a Wong rig with no leader.
On 3/20/2019 at 4:26 AM, Tennessee Boy said:Why do you use 6lb test?
A few reasons. First thing is that I do not make long casts over the weed beds we usually fish. The more line you have out the more the advantage goes to the fish. Second, it gives less resistance to letting the Senko fall through the holes in the mats and keep its signature action. Make no mistake, I "go to" a lot of my bigger fish hooked on that setup. I don't try to drag them out. We fish a lot of windy days as well and the lighter line is less affected by it. A Senko has always been a finesse bait to me and the lightest line you can get away with is always better. I know I've posted this pic before, but this 14.9 Northern Snakehead was caught on a Senko and 6lb test mono.
N Florida Mike reply :
I dont use anything less than #6 pound test for any kind of fishing anymore. For bass, it's usually 10-12 pound mono.
I have caught a fair number of 4-5 pound bass on the 6, which I thought was pretty good. Ive cuaght several of these while fishing with a 5 ft rod and tiny hook for bream or shiners to use for bait. The bass clobber them while reeling them in. Its harder for me to get a good hookset without breaking the line with light line, but I succeed sometimes.???? All about the drag !
Brad Reid reply :
I went down last night again, same finesse Soare rod, 1000 spinning reel, 2 lbs. test, and I caught a 2.5 and a 3.5 pounder, LMBs, and one average sized crappie. 30 minutes of fishing.
I totally agree with the earlier comment that there is no reason to drop all the way down to 2 lbs. (not if the true goal is LMBs and not really panfish) and that 6 lbs. braid would eliminate margin of error, still allow for longer casts, if needed, say in open water. And, I'd certainly move off of a true finesse rod and go to an L or ML with the proper rod characteristics for what I am doing, how and where I am fishing.
"Moving to fish." Since, more often than not, I am fishing out of a canoe or kayak, I know exactly what Toxic means here. Too, my lake has tons of American Lotus and other lily pads making this a skill worth learning. If you can't move the fish, move your boat.
*** So, it really makes me wonder for these pro anglers in the new competitive format of weighing fish on the boats, no numbers limitations, why in the heck don't they use lighter gear, again other than maybe just a drop shot, to catch some fish?
In that tournament the other day where Mike Iaconelli got off to a huge first round lead? I think Mike was fishing something small. I'll have to go back and watch it again. But, several anglers were just not catching a thing as I recall. Mike had 20 pounds while one or two anglers had zip, zero. Why in the heck would they NOT downsize? Some do, but I think it is sort of far down in the thought process for many of them. Maybe a bit of ego, too? Not certain.
I think if I were a pro bass angler, I'd have at least one rod set up in the manner we are talking about, maybe put a red ribbon on it as a reminder. Ha!
We ought to discuss what that perfect set-up for finesse, but truly intended for bass and not panfish, would be. The rod, the reel, the line, some favorite small lures. Sure, Ned Rig and Drop Shot, but others???
Brad
thinkingredneck reply :
I am currently putting together a finesse box, so this is timely for me. I have some 2 inch grubs with 1/8 - 1/4 oz ball jigs. Small, 2 inch boot tail storm shad type baits, some Luck E Strike 4 inch curl tail worms, Zoom finesse worms, split shot rigs, some slider rigs, beetle spins, large size. Variety of Ned rig stuff. I use 8 lb fireline with 6 lb maxima leader on a M Ugly stick spinning rod with a Pfluger Trion reel. I have several spinning rods, but this one is the most sensitive and accurate to me.
I am careful to keep Elastec in a separate bag.
I also have arthritis which makes fishing with a BC tough on some days.
fishwizzard reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 6:37 PM, TOXIC said:Give 8lb a try and you'll feel better and it will still work. The only braid I use on a Senko is in Michigan dragging a Wong rig with no leader.
I use 7lb Sniper for some
stuff and will give that a go. I want to stick with a braid mainline as the reel I want to use is on the small side and I don’t know how well it will handle any flouro.
What’s the diameter of the 6lb fluoro you use?
TOXIC reply :
I don't use fluro or leaders on my finesse setups. 6lb mono. The only thing I use fluro for is 10-12lb on casting reels with cranks.
Darren. reply :
Big fan of "light tackle" and "smaller" baits.
My PB of 7.5 was on a 10# leader in thick slop. While not
what I consider "light", it isn't heavy either.
Regularly use 6 and 8# leaders in fresh and saltwater.
J Francho reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 6:37 PM, TOXIC said:The only braid I use on a Senko is in Michigan dragging a Wong rig with no leader.
FYI:
Tennessee Boy reply :
Very interesting thread.
I’m having a hard time imagining hooking a 6lb bass in heavy vegetation. The bass gets wrapped up in the vegetation without breaking the line then I go in and net the immobilized fish. Sounds very challenging to me. Am I missing something?
JLindsey reply :
There are a few lakes stocked with rainbow trout near me, so I keep an ultralight combo spooled with 4lb mono and a box with some small spinners, spoons and panfish jigs in the trunk of my car at all times. This guarantees that I won’t catch any trout, but I WILL catch the biggest chain pickerel in the lake.
Brad Reid reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 11:11 PM, Tennessee Boy said:Very interesting thread.
I’m having a hard time imagining hooking a 6lb bass in heavy vegetation. The bass gets wrapped up in the vegetation without breaking the line then I go in and net the immobilized fish. Sounds very challenging to me. Am I missing something?
Well, a 6 pounder that hits the veggies is going to be a challenge. What I do if they get wrapped up in pad stems is sort of reel my line in and I have grabbed some nice fish right out of the lily pads after plucking a few. I must say that it is the biggest obstacle to using light lines and small baits. We have large bowfin on my home lake and when they grab one of my standard bass presentations, 8 lbs. leaders, they take off and go straight down into vegetation/pads and rather quickly break me off. Bass, less so, but still and issue to deal with.
Brad
Allen Der reply :
we use 8lb mono for wacky senkos around lily pads all the time. mostly on the edge or in pockets
Tennessee Boy reply :
Over the years, I've slowly moved to heavier and heavier tackle. In the spring, I fish trickworms on 16lb Sunline Super Natural (0.013 D) on Shimano 4000 spinning reels. I throw into all kinds of heavy vegetation. Been fishing that way for years. This thread has given me the courage to lighten up a little this year. I may try 14lb or maybe even 12lb test....maybe.
6 lb test? I don't see that happening. People will talk about you if they find out your fishing 6lb test on Kentucky Lake. ????
standman reply :
Still cold in Chicagoland, so fishing is definitely a challenge. My go to in this situation is an UL Whoopin’ Stick with 1000 Sienna, 10lb braid, and a crappie jig under a bobber. Haven’t caught anything of size this year - yet, but I’m catching dink BASS all day long. My 16yo nephew (eats/sleeps fishing) just caught a 5+lb on a 1.5” Marabou jig.
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
I used to fish a lot lighter line, I’m talking #4 - #8 copolymer line, even caught a 20+lbs carp with #4 Izorline on Calcutta 50. Over the years I gradually go up in line diameter 6 - 15lb line since bass is not so line shy and to avoid line break off on hookset.
I do sometime caught bass on my panfish setup #4 Izorline.
it was fun but I wouldn’t target bass using this rig.
Brad Reid reply :
Oh gosh! I went out last evening around 5:30 and was casting a #2 Mepps on my finesse gear, randomly picking up beautiful crappie all over my cove. Well, the downside to tiny treble hooks is, whew!, a big bass can spit one out rather easily on an acrobatic jump. 50/50? I have had it happen twice in the past 3 days.
The one last night? I was handling her so well, my Soare rod was really working her in, what a rod, but then she jumped about 20 feet away from my canoe. I got to see this LMB up close and personal: huge, long and chunky. It is always hard to say how big . . . but it'd have easily been my biggest bass of this year. Oh well. I cried, tears shed, then got over it. I always do.
Some pics of some crappie that made it all worthwhile!
Brad
Koz reply :
I love to grab a baitcaster and power fish but the fishing has been slow so far this year. Normally by this time of year we've had a few weeks of warm weather and this fishing is great, but this year the temps have been up and down. I had about 90 minutes to fish after work today so I forced myself to put the baitcaster and power fishing aside for once.
Instead I grabbed a spinning reel and a medium rod and tied on a beetle spin, but the weather was not cooperative as there was a constant 15-18 mph wind even late in the day. But on the third or 4th cast I caught a one pounder and within an hour I caught 4 more from the bank.
No giants today as the heaviest weighed only 3.7 pounds. But about that - she was long but skinny. When I saw the size of it as I was bringing it in I thought it was a 5 pounder. In that same lagoon a few weeks ago I had the same thing happen when by length I thought I had a 7-8 pounder but it weighed in at just under 6.
My guess is with the water warming and cooling the water hasn't stayed warm enough for them to go into pre-spawn feeding mode yet. Hopefully that happens soon. But I'm definitely heading out tomorrow to toss some more beetle spins and probably some small spinnerbaits as well. Maybe I'll finally give a shaky head a try as well. I've got all day to fish and I'll be there as long as my knees hold out.
Brad Reid reply :
Just to keep the thread alive, I was out last late afternoon and ended up with 3 gills (bluegill and redbreast), 3 crappie and a single 3 lbs. 7 oz. LMB all using the same thing I have been fishing for a week or so. A long ultralight rod for long casts to cover water with a #2 plain Mepps silver Aglia, 2# Sufix Nanobraid.
The bass WAS a challenge but more so for the ultralight rod than the 2# line. My neighbor, Joe, was in a boat next to my canoe as we were wrapping up the evening of fishing and he weighed the bass for me. One of the gills was closing in on one pound but I didn't weigh it. The crappie were all nice legal keepers but I released everything.
One side benefit of using light tackle? If you like catching multiple species, it definitely increases your chances. I had a "3 species" outcome!
Some pics. Brad
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
If I know how to find bullgill and crappies that would be fun. I have not touch my crappies rig for months, even I promised myself to do more crappies fishing.
The Bassman reply :
On 3/23/2019 at 7:22 PM, Brad Reid said:Just to keep the thread alive, I was out last late afternoon and ended up with 3 gills (bluegill and redbreast), 3 crappie and a single 3 lbs. 7 oz. LMB all using the same thing I have been fishing for a week or so. A long ultralight rod for long casts to cover water with a #2 plain Mepps silver Aglia, 2# Sufix Nanobraid.
The bass WAS a challenge but more so for the ultralight rod than the 2# line. My neighbor, Joe, was in a boat next to my canoe as we were wrapping up the evening of fishing and he weighed the bass for me. One of the gills was closing in on one pound but I didn't weigh it. The crappie were all nice legal keepers but I released everything.
One side benefit of using light tackle? If you like catching multiple species, it definitely increases your chances. I had a "3 species" outcome!
Some pics. Brad
Really didn't know much beyond Mepps spinners and Rapalas when I was a teenager wading creeks. I need to revisit that.
waymont reply :
Every year I catch some big bass on 1/16 and 1/8oz Bitsy Bugs jigs and small crankbaits on 6lb line.
This mini crankbait is amazing. Something about the size and wobble catches tons of fish. It's a touch under 1.5".
I get them on AliExpress for around $1.50 ea. So when ever the baitfish are small I use this guy.
I have two 4lber bass, one 34" pike and countless 1-2.5lb bass on this little crank.
Brad Reid reply :
The small inline spinners like Mepps, some others? I think they do a really good job of emulating smaller shad. And, for whatever reason, in terms of the variety of fish attracted to them, few are better.
Would it be my first choice to catch panfish or bass and so on? Likely not, but it is the "Jack of all trades, master of none" sort of lure. I think that is how I have it dialed in.
I haven't done it yet, but on my next order I want to go up to either 4 or 6 lbs. Sufix Nanobraid just to give me a bit more margin for error if I get a really big girl on. However, I still haven't had anything bust my line. So, insurance, I suppose!
Brad
MIbassyaker reply :
On 3/24/2019 at 8:35 AM, Brad Reid said:The small inline spinners like Mepps, some others? I think they do a really good job of emulating smaller shad. And, for whatever reason, in terms of the variety of fish attracted to them, few are better.
Would it be my first choice to catch panfish or bass and so on? Likely not, but it is the "Jack of all trades, master of none" sort of lure. I think that is how I have it dialed in.
I haven't done it yet, but on my next order I want to go up to either 4 or 6 lbs. Sufix Nanobraid just to give me a bit more margin for error if I get a really big girl on. However, I still haven't had anything bust my line. So, insurance, I suppose!
Brad
I am of the same mind with in-line spinners.
I have mostly Mepps, but there's Blue Fox, Panther Martin, Rooster Tail and some others. They mimic...well, anything that is small and on-the-move, either reflective or noisy or both. Not much shad up here, but we have shiners, chub minnows, silversides minnows, and many other small, flashy baitfish. Also, larger waterbugs which zoom around noisily, not unlike a vibrating blade.
As all-purpose, multi-species skunk repellent -- especially in rivers, streams, and ponds-- there is possibly nothing better than an in-line spinner, with a 3" curly-tail grub it's chief rival.
But that's also the in-line's curse: anything and everything will try to eat it. So it's not very efficient to target bass with them, unless you are fishing where other species aren't. Growing up, my dad and brothers and I caught everything but bass with them: pike, walleye, sauger, crappie, bluegill, multiple species of sunfish, drum, and some other oddballs I'm not sure we ever identified.
Brad Reid reply :
MIbassyaker makes a very good point: catching 3 gills, 3 crappie . . . and just one LMB is fun but not always desirable.
If we downsize to these inline spinners and others, there is little doubt other species are going to bite them.
Same thing here on the 3" curly-tail grubs! It'd be right there with inline spinners and bass just love them. Two years ago, I was tandem fishing from my canoe with my high school aged neighbor, and he was throwing a frog into the pads, doing well, and I was tossing one of these grubs in the open channel we were sitting . . . and getting bit on every cast!
One issue is I think I was using Yamamoto tiny curly tails and blue gills can nip the tails off them rather easily. But, bass love them!
Brad
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