Having ultra fun with an ultra-light rod

I cut my fishing teeth with a Pfleuger bait-casting reel and a Shakespeare fiberglass rod stiff enough to land the Loch Ness monster. Back then, we used braided line so thick that you needed a 2-ounce sinker or a plug that was six inches long in order to cast.

Then came the Mitchell 300 spinning reel—a marvel of modern civilization—allowing an angler to use 8-pound monofilament line and ordinary-sized lures. My life really changed with the Mitchell 308, one of the first ultra-light reels ever made. Ultra-light meant you could use 4- or even 2-pound test and cast lures weighing as little as 1/36 of an ounce. This was especially beneficial for trout anglers who like to throw tiny spoons and spinners. After trying to heave that old bait caster, it was pure joy to have the feel of an ultra-light.

When I moved to Virginia in 1967, I took ultra-light fishing a step farther and began using 2-pound test for bass fishing. Why? Because it was fun, and I caught a pile of bass.

My technique was to use a plain, size-4 hook with no weight whatsoever and simply penetrate all the way through the head of a basic purple worm. Because of the light line and no drag, the worm sank naturally, fluttering gently to the bottom. Most strikes came on the fall. But if not, I twitched the rig seductively on the retrieve and hooked an amazing number of bass. Note that I said hooked, not necessarily landed. Setting the hook was a problem because you couldn't slam the hook home or you'd break off. Many times I would break the line on a hook set, re-rig, throw out and catch the same bass, still with my first purple worm in his mouth. He never knew he was hooked.

The summer I went totally ultra-light, the biggest bass I landed on 2-pound test weighed 4 pounds, but I had one at my feet that that would have gone 8 or 9 pounds. If only I had a net.

Last weekend, I decided to try the ultra-light technique again. And it still works. This time, however, my equipment was far superior to what we had available 40 years ago. The reels, for example, now have multiple ball bearings and much smoother drag systems. The line is also stronger and thinner. I was able to use 4-pound test and throw a worm just as far as I used to with 2-pound test. The worms are also better, many salt impregnated and with wiggly tails. But purple is still a great color.

It was spitting rain and overcast when I pulled up to a private, five-acre lake. It was simply a perfect day to fish. I tied on a June Bug (purple with green flake) 4-inch worm, hooked it once through the head (not Texas rig) and caught bass non-stop for two hours. This is still a devastating way to catch bass.

Lefty Kreh once told me that fish can see any size line. Seeing the line isn't the problem. What fish don't like seeing is the drag on the bait caused by sinkers and heavier line. With this ultra-light technique, there is no drag. The worm falls naturally. Fish don't hesitate to hit it and the new razor sharp hooks allow an angler to strike and not break off, because it doesn't take that much effort to drive the barb home.

Fall is an ideal time for ultra-light fishing. The water is generally clear and often low; a simple worm twitching along or over cover will produce strike after strike. And it's fun. Landing even a modest size bass on ultra light tackle is a joy rarely equaled in outdoor sports.

For bait, use one of the modern finesse worms and try purple, salt and pepper, pumpkin and red. One of those colors should work. Use a medium or heavier shanked hook to give the rig enough weight to cast without a sinker. Either hook the worm directly through the head and leave the barb completely exposed, or use a Texas rig if you're pulling the bait through cover. Remember, though, you can't strike as hard as you would with 10-pound test. A quick sweep with the rod tip works best.

Give it a try. You'll be amazed how many fish you will catch and how much fun you'll have doing it.