What is Ultralight Fishing?

Ultralight fishing refers to fishing with ultralight class tackle: ultralight power rods, 1-6lb test main line, and lures or bait weighing 1/32 oz to 1/8 oz. Note that for the upper limit of the main line and lure weight, there is no precise cutoff. Ultralight exists to serve the lightest possible tackle as far as spinning tackle goes.

While you can throw less than 1/32 oz on an ultralight, its very limited casting distance means you are better off using a fly fishing combo in most cases. Baitcasters generally don't scale down into ultralight territory, but there is a new class of rods and reels called bait finesse system that keeps getting lighter as the years go by.

While ultralight anglers tend to target fish under 1 lb in weight, it doesn't have to be that way. Big fish can also be caught on ultralight gear, it just takes more effort and time playing the fish to avoid breaking your line. Note that for catch and release, ultralight fishing can end up killing the fish from stress from extended fights that drag on too long, so fish responsibly.

Ultralight fishing is not exclusive to any target species or environment. Ultralight fishing can be done in freshwater, saltwater, streams, ponds, rivers, lakes, from land, by boat, by kayak, or just about anywhere else. Although for practical purposes ultralight gear really can't stand up to high winds, heavy current, or distance casting only situations.

Ultralight Fishing