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Everyone knows if you want to do a job right, it takes the right tools. When it comes to fly fishing, the most important tools you can bring to the table are the right lures. Keep reading to discover what you need to consider when selecting the right fly fishing lure.

Do Your Research

Unfortunately, there’s no one answer that makes sense across the board. The types of bugs fish eat can differ greatly from one body of water to the next, even when it’s the same exact fish you’re after.

However, you have help in things called hatch charts. These basically tell you what bugs are local to the body of water you’ll be fishing in. Some people take it a step further, though, and actually do a preliminary search of the water they’ll be fishing in. They’ll put down bug nets to see what shows up, investigate the foliage or simply sit down by the shore and observe. It might sound like a lot of work, but you won’t have any luck simply putting on any old lure.

The Most Common Patterns

Luckily, fish don’t have the best eyesight and there are three patterns of fly lures that will cover most of your bases. This doesn’t mean they’ll work all the time. Nor does it mean you shouldn’t put in some time to do the aforementioned research. However, while you’re learning about the local insects, there’s no sense in at least not trying your luck.

Dry Flies

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Dry flies so get their name from perching on top of the water. As such, they are lures meant to look like mayflies, stoneflies and a host of other flies that stick to the surface. A lure known as the Adams bares an amazing resemblance to the mayfly. It has a gray body with a sharp brown coat and bristly tail. This lure fits the bill for all manner of mayflies and other similar insects fish find irresistible.

Nymphs

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While Dry Flies are stand-ins for mature flies, nymphs are meant to look like the younger variety. These flies don’t have a problem dipping below the surface, which is why these lures are also sometimes called wet flies. If at all possible, use this lure right before a hatch or around the time water-born insects will be hatching. The pheasant tail fly lure works well here. It has a shiny body reminiscent of a young insect with a bit of a bulge at the front of the body and small bristles.

Streamers

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When you’re on the hunt for larger fish, your best bet is to use a streamer. This lure is just like a wet fly, except it’s made to look like a smaller baitfish that bigger fish hunt. While there are countless baitfish you can choose from to imitate, minnows and leeches are the best animals to imitate for this purpose. They are common enough and hunted enough that most large fish will strike.

Get Local Advice

Another way to give yourself a better at chance at picking the right lure is simply asking the locals if you’re from out of town. Go to the nearest bait shop. That’s where you can find the necessary hatch chart, but you can also ask the proprietor what people use in that area to fly fish.

Selecting the right fly lure is an important task that can ultimately decide your success on the water. However, it might be an ongoing process. Unfortunately, just because the trout on one river go for a certain lure doesn’t mean it will be the same with trout in other rivers. Do your research, seek advice and carry those three aforementioned lures. If nothing else, they’ll help you practice your casting.

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It’s difficult to observe someone fly fishing and not take an interest in what they’re doing. Between the solitude involved and the hypnotic motion of a fly fisherman’s rhythmic cast, it’s understandable that so many observers can’t wait to learn more. To better understand it, though, let’s take a look at how it compares to conventional ultralight lure fishing.

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The Goal

Obviously, both methods of ultralight fishing are aimed at catching fish by providing them with a lure and tricking them into thinking it’s a free meal. Once they do, the hook that’s used snags the fish and your cast is successful.

In conventional ultralight fishing, the bait can vary. Generally, it is meant to appear like any number of creatures that call the body of water home and that the intended fish is known to eat. Depending on the bait used, the fisherman will utilize different tactics to further the ruse.

With ultralight fly fishing, the fisherman’s bait resembles a fly or any other airborne insect that hangs around the particular body of water. Their rhythmic casting motion is designed to make the bait further resemble the insects that dart around, before finally resting it on the surface of the water.

The Equipment

Both styles involve poles, though they are very different. Simply put, both poles are designed to facilitate how their respective fisherman cast. Conventional fishermen usually cast out once and then leave the bait in that spot for some time. Their pole is generally heavier, with a lighter line. There’s a bobber attached to the end of the line to let you know where your bait is and give
you an indication if it’s being eaten and there’s also a sinker that helps keep the bait from floating to the surface.

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ultralight Fly fishermen need much lighter poles to make their casting motion possible. Their line, however, is much heavier as they need this extra weight to make up for how light their bait is. Extra weight makes it easier for them to cast farther out.

Though we touched on the bait already, it’s notable that many fly fishermen actually design their own bait based on the fish they’re chasing, the water where they fish, the conditions they fish in, etc. Conventional fishermen sometimes do this as well, but they also use a much wider array of bait, even for the same kind of fish.

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A big difference between the two poles is that traditional fishing poles include a mechanism for pulling the line back in. You simply use the reel to help return the line. Fly fishing poles don’t have this. In order to gather the line, a fisherman must do it by hand. Sometimes they will wear little baskets on their waist which they can put the line into when it’s gathered. One of the reasons fly fishing is the oldest form of fishing is this lack of reel. Traditional fishing didn’t really catch on like we know it today until after the first spinning real was invented shortly after WWII.

As fly fishermen actually step into the water, a key piece of equipment is waders. They’re basically waterproof overalls that keep the fly fisherman dry.

Settings

Fly fishermen fish almost exclusively in rivers or deep streams where the water is constantly in motion. However, fly fishermen have been known to fish still water from time to time. Conventional fishermen, on the other hand, generally fish in all kinds of water. They don’t get in the water like fly fishermen do, making a boat one very important piece of equipment at times. Those who practice conventional ultralight fishing do it in lakes, rivers, ponds, the sea and the ocean. Even ice won’t stop conventional fishermen from dropping a line.

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Hopefully, this brief synopsis has helped shed some light on these two very different forms of fishing. Which one you choose to do will ultimately come down to preference, but there’s no law saying you can’t love both.

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If you’ve been ultralight fishing for a while and just need a change of pace, fly fishing might be the answer. Or if you’ve never been much for fishing, but you love the great outdoors and would like an activity that would help you enjoy it more, ultralight fly fishing may be just the ticket. Continue reading for a short primer on fly fishing basics.

What is Fly Fishing?

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Put simply, ultralight fly fishing has the same goal as traditional ultralight fishing, but with lures that resemble flies (or similar flying insects). So just as you look for bait that appears and acts like a worm, small fish or other creature that could be found underwater when traditional fishing, you do the same while fly fishing, but with lures that resemble insects that typically appear just above the surface of the water. Part of making your bait appear that way is utilizing a unique motion specific to fly fishing. The goal of this specific casting method is to further imitate these insects and trick fish into reacting.

How to Fly Fish

The secret to fly fishing is all in the unique casting motion. Because the lures fly fishers use don’t carry much weight to them, they need to carry out a very specific motion in order to get their cast far away to where the fish are.

Unlike with traditional fishing, fly fishing involves almost continuous casting (some methods involve less, but on average, you’ll be casting the majority of the time). It’s a fluid motion that almost resembles cracking a whip. This motion’s job is to use the weight of the line to carry the bait out as far as possible, and then use all the stored energy in the line to pull it back. The return almost resembles the cast in reverse as the bait goes all the way behind the fly fisherman, gathers energy and then propels it forward again. A skilled fly fisherman makes the entire process seem like nothing more than a flick of the wrist.

Equipment

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As you can imagine, fly fishing calls for much different equipment than its traditional cousin. For example, fly fishing needs a rod that is lighter and more agile, as this lends itself to the motion discussed earlier. We covered the difference in bait, but the line that a fly fisherman needs to use will actually be much heavier than the traditional version. That’s because the bait itself doesn’t have the hefty type of weight that makes casting easy.
Unlike traditional fishing, fly fishermen almost always cast from in the water. An important piece of equipment is waders, waterproof overalls that allow the fisherman to get a good distance into a body of water before beginning.

Fish

Fly fishing used to be aimed mostly at trout and other fish that were well known for jumping out of the water for their meals. But as the sport has grown, fly fishermen have gone after just about any fish they can find. Overall, they’ve been successful. One of the central tenets of fly fishing is to challenge oneself in the type of fish you go for and where you try to find them. Therefore, it’s not all that surprising that fly fishermen would be up for a challenge.
Bodies of Water

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Typically, fly fishing is done in moving water. The fishermen use their waders so they can actually get in the water itself. From there, they begin their casting motion. However, fly fishers have been known to find success in still water as well.
If you’re up for a challenge and you love the great outdoors, consider giving fly fishing a try. It will get you out into nature, right into its moving water and provide you with a fun activity at the same time.

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Source:

http://theflyfishingbasics.com/what-is-fly-fishing/

http://www.thecatchandthehatch.com/the-difference-between-fly-fishing-and-spin-fishing/

There is always an ongoing heated debate on C & R (catch and release) within the ultralight fishing community. The debate usually centers on whether or not catch and release is better than just fishing for a meal. C & R is all about enjoying the outdoors and nature with the thrill of catching a fish every now and again.

What the average angler does with the fish often depends on a variety of factors that are not always as simple as good or bad. Some anglers believe that every fish that is caught should always be released, while others believe just the opposite. Some anglers believe the catching of fish just to release them back into their natural habitat is a cruel gesture and that if a fish is to be caught, it should be consumed.

Other anglers believe both things, and that the sport of fishing is a fundamental way to enjoy free time, and that consuming a fish one catches is a great way to feed oneself. Catch and release is also a popular practice in the sport of ultralight fishing. For some ultralight fishing enthusiasts, they just don’t like the fish however that shouldn’t stop them enjoying the thrill of the catch.

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Rethinking the Slot Limit

The enjoyment of catch and release has quickly become a major concern for many biologists and fishery managers. In all honesty, C & R has been under significant scrutiny for a long time. Fishery biologists make claims that the only sure way a “slot limit” can really work when managing a lake, is by eating the captured smaller fish (fish under the slot limit) in significant quantities. However, that goes against the current trends with those associated with bass fishing.

It is the biologists’ beliefs that by promoting catch and release as an efficient fishery plan there would be a balance in the amount of fish that are killed for food, and no fishing simply for sport. As a result though, catch and release has become an anglers dream, were few keep the fish they catch.

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C & R Can Create a Negative Impact

Recent research has indicated that catch and release can have a negative impact over the long term. Smaller fish that tend to be aggressive can quickly consume most of the food resources and leave the larger fish without a food supply. Biologists are quick to claim that smaller fish tend to forage quicker and more often, based on their size, then they are worth in the value of the lake community. As a result, large fish are left with less food resources and will not grow nearly as quickly as they do under premium conditions when there is a large source of food to consume.

New studies are indicating that imposed limits are not working quite as efficiently as once believed. Some biologists believe that the way to catch and release system is set up currently; the process might be stimulating an undesired evolution of a variety of fish. Additionally, the process of catch and release is helping to teach fish exactly how to avoid being captured the next time.

Fish Are Becoming Smarter

There are studies that are indicating that many fish, including bass, tend to become smarter, after being captured on a lure. Experience teaches them ways of not being so easily caught a second time.

Striking the perfect balance between killing and C & R (catch and release) involves the process of creating a selective harvest that is more natural. However, this likely will not be easy to accomplish. Anglers are not inclined to keep every fish caught on a single day, and will need to understand the new ethics involved in properly managing the lake.

However, to be successful will require some type of compromise. One way to do this is to train new anglers and get them involved in the sport. Throwing back the little ones, just to keep the large ones will need to be avoided in the future. As new anglers seek to enjoy the sport more than just capturing the “designer” fish will help manage the waters.

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There are only a few things more annoying than seeing corrosion and rust crusted all over your ultralight fishing reel and lures. Properly maintaining fishing tackle is the best way to ensure the gear is in proper working condition for a long time. Routine maintenance can also help maximize every piece of gear’s resale value when the angler wants to sell it to purchase something newer or better.

Ultralight fishing gear is exposed to all types of harsh conditions including the sun, salt, water, wind and sand. Every one of these elements has the ability to quickly corrode nearly everything in the tackle box along with the rod and reel. There are a few simple steps that can be taken to fully protect the ultralight fishing tackle and eliminate the possibility of having it malfunction at the time when it truly counts. While these steps are not foolproof, they certainly have the ability to extend the length of time the gear will last.

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Fishing Reel Maintenance

It is essential to minimize the ultralight fishing reel’s direct exposure to salt water and sand. While it might seem obvious not to simply lay down the rod and reel on a sandy beach, there are other occurrences that can expose the equipment to these harsh conditions. Windy days can continually expose the reel to the high volumes of sea spray when the boat is moving. The salt water can penetrate deep into the workings or line of the fishing reel.

Without providing gentle care, it is easy to knock the reel around, hitting hard objects and rocks. This has a tendency to weaken the reel’s frame which can easily encourage the formation of rust or corrosion.

After fishing, it is important to lightly spray the rod and reel to remove any accumulated sand, salt or other harmful elements that might have collected on the line or in the reel. A light spraying can be accomplished using a hose and setting it to a light mist. Some anglers choose to thoroughly rinse them off after dunking them in a bucket of water that has a small amount of soap.

It is essential not to loosen the reel’s drag before washing it off. Additionally, applying high pressurized water can surely blast the salt or sand deeper into the fishing reel, defeating the entire purpose of keeping it clean.

An Aerosol Corrosion Inhibitor

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After the thorough cleaning, or light misting spray, it is imperative to dry it completely using a rag. Additionally, spinning the handle five or 10 times to flick off the remaining water can help a dry quicker. Lightly spraying an aerosol corrosion inhibitor or lubricant and wiping it down using a clean rag can maximize its longevity while inhibiting rust and corrosion.

Once completed, it is important to leave the ultralight fishing reel in an area that is open to the air. This will allow it to fully dry. Understand that there will be places in the reel that are inaccessible to dry with a cloth. If the angler is used to storing the reel away in a neoprene cover, or a box, it is important to keep it uncovered for a few days (based on the temperature and humidity) before putting it in storage. Even the slightest moisture still left inside the reel can hinder the drying process.

Proper maintenance should include taking the reel to a local fish tackle store for complete servicing at least once every year. This will ensure that all of the internal components have been fully maintained, and that it is in proper working order, when it matters most, while out spending the day fishing.

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Every year, all across North America, anglers participate in the seemingly endless number of derbies and ultralight fishing tournaments. The tournaments are often focused on catch and release, while the derbies typically require or allow the fish caught to be kept. Most tournaments are local one-day events while some others, primarily walleye and bass tournaments, are popular circuit events were the champions are often series winners at multiple events.

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The Amateur Angler

Fortunately, there are rich sources of wonderful fishing environments located all across the United States and Canada. Because of that, anglers do not have to go far to find a local ultralight fishing tournament. Any town in North America with a body of water close by will usually have a fishing tournament. Many of these local ultralight fishing events are sponsored by local clubs while others are national or regional circuit events that are held annually or semiannually.

The ideal way to get into tournament ultralight fishing is to begin as an amateur individually, or as a team member. In any event, it is best not to take the position of needing to operate the tournament boat. This will provide the amateur the opportunity to focus primarily on learning better ultralight fishing skills from any member of the team that has more experience.

Many times, new tournament participants will often feel the pressure because of the money involved. However, when participating in an ultralight fishing tournament, you will be essentially dealing with fishing conditions, the day’s weather, any experienced or inexperienced fishing partners, and the clock, all of which are out of the amateur’s control.

Being a non-boater or co-angler allows the amateur to stay close to the team’s more experienced anglers. It will provide the opportunity to see exactly how experienced fishermen handle the work conditions and the pressure instead of letting any of the uncontrollable conditions work against their favor.

Many of these ultralight fishing tournaments have the advantage of allowing the amateur and the pros to combine their catches rather than simply weighing the fish the pros caught separately from what the amateur catches. These types of tournaments offer the ability for the team to be the winner of their division even if the amateur has not caught a single fish, and can rely on the partner’s catches entirely.

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Selecting a Partner

Selecting the best partner can make all the difference in winning or losing an ultralight fishing tournament. It will also include the need to set aside much time for practice. The best partner will also be one with a personality that blends well with the amateur, especially under difficult and high pressure conditions. Having the right kind of chemistry will provide the opportunity to trust one another when seeking the best opportunities for maximizing the number and size of fish caught.

The chemistry shared between the beginning amateur and the experienced angler will focus on the patterns of how each one fishes. If both anglers are comfortable casting their lines off the bow of the boat, they will likely be in the others way. Selecting a partner that can complement each angler’s fishing style is better than one that simply mirrors it.

Finding the Tournaments

Seeking out community ultralight fishing tournaments is easy. Simply asking about tournaments at the local tackle store will usually point the amateur toward all the available local clubs. There are also circuit tours for bass anglers that have relatively low entry fees and quality sponsors.

In the United States alone, there are well over 500 tournaments held every year. Many of the national championships invite anglers that have participated in at least five tournaments in a year, and end up listed with the highest points (typically the top 500 high scorers).

Participating in an ultralight fishing tournament can be an enjoyable experience filled with the competitive spirit, while making new friends.

Here are just a few links for some popular ultralight fishing tournaments throughout the USA:

Crappie USA
Host various Crappie tournaments which are a great introduction to ultralight fishing tournaments.

USA Bassin
U.S.A. BASSIN is a fishing team tournament trail, catering to the weekend angler and our youth.

Bounty Fishing
A tournament with a different spin where you can compete from anywhere!

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Ultralight fishing with soft plastics is one of my favorite methods for catching a lot of largemouth bass, as well as larger fish in a wide variety of other species such as Crappie, Bluegill, Shellcrackers, and even Catfish. To switch out baits when you’re fishing with soft plastics, all you have to do is remove the bait that’s already hooked up, and swap it out for a new color or style, and you’re back to fishing within 30 seconds. Other types of baits require you to cut the line and retie if you want to change colors, or lure styles for a slightly different presentation. Listed below are 5 of my favorite soft plastics for ultralight fishing.

Zoom Super Fluke Jr.

When the fish are in an active mood, I will usually reach for a Zoom Super Fluke Jr. Rigging this soft plastic weightless is one of the best ways to give it a lifelike action. If it is windy when you’re fishing you can attach a small split shot directly in front of the bait to get it further out, and help give it a more aggressive action coming through the water. My favorite colors are black, Shad, and Green Pumpkin, depending on what forage species are in the waters you’re on.

3″ Yamamoto Senkos

The Yamamoto Senkos quickly made a name for themselves in the professional tournament circuit because of the much larger average fish size that they accounted for. The same thing holds true with the smaller 3″ versions. The baits are incredibly lightweight, and slightly under 3″ which makes them a perfect fit on a 1/0 wide gap hook tied to ultralight fishing line. You can cast the bait out, and if something doesn’t hit it on the fall, you can shimmy it a few times and allow it to sit. The fish will usually grab it after it gets done shaking and begins wiggling its way back onto the bottom.

Zoom 4″ Finesse Worms

Soft plastic worms were one of the original artificial baits used by anglers. To this day they still account for more fish than practically any other type of lure, soft or hard. When I have a 1/0 wide gap hook tied on, I love using Zoom’s 4″ plastic Finesse Worms. They feature the same action as the larger trick worms, which means you can work them back to you weightless, just under the surface, or with a small split shot in front of them, bouncing along the bottom, banging into light cover.

Berkley Gulp 1.5″ Grubs

If the fish are in a passive, or neutral mood, usually from a cold front passing through, I’ll go to a much smaller profile Berkley Gulp 1.5″ swimming or jigging grub. When you hook the grub onto a 1/8 or 1/16 ounce jighead and bounce them along the bottom, the smaller design helps to entice fish into biting that normally wouldn’t hit other, larger lures. The slim profile helps them cast for incredibly long distances, and I believe that the extra Gulp “sauce” helps the light lipped fish hold onto them, giving you time to sweep the hookset.

Zoom 4″ Lizards

During the spring time I reach for Zoom’s 4″ lizards if I know that the largemouth bass are spawning in the waters I’m on. These little lizards can take some incredibly huge fish, as long as you are patient, and are able to focus 100% of your efforts on watching the line for small movements. Small lizards are one of the biggest predators of largemouth bass eggs after they have spawned, which makes these an excellent bait to use to entice strikes when other baits won’t accomplish it. When you are fishing the lizards in this fashion, though, you usually will not get the fish to bite, but rather they will suck the lure into their mouth and move it away from the bed of eggs. That means you have to be quick on your toes if you want to get a solid hookset.

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You may be someone who enjoys ultralight fishing for the pure sport or alternatively you may be trying to put food on the table or maybe you enjoy ultralight fishing for both of these reasons. No matter what species you are targeting, you want to ensure that you are getting the most flesh from the bone as possible. There are plenty of ways to prepare fish for the table however one of the most popular methods which we are going to cover is filleting.

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It takes a trained touch to properly fillet a fish. When performed correctly, it can produce a high quantity of meat that contains no bones. Once an individual fully understands and can perform a quality filleting, they can quickly prepare a fish in no time.
There are not many things in this world that can beat the enjoyable flavor of eating fresh fish. However, to ensure that the caught fish maintains its flavor requires proper care.

Fish is an extremely perishable meat. To ensure that it stays fresh means that it should remain alive as long as absolutely possible, before the filleting process begins. Anglers can keep their catch fresh by using a fish basket, a live well (in a boat) or a good stringer. The ideal way to maximize fish freshness is to keep the fish directly on crushed or cubed ice.

The Ideal Knife

To properly fillet a fish requires a good knife designed specifically for filleting. It is usually crafted as a flexible, thin long blade. Anglers can locate a quality filleting knife at a department store, or sporting goods store that sells fillet knives. It should be of quality, so that it maintains its sharpness after repeated uses. To begin the filleting process requires a flat, smooth board to work as the ideal cutting surface. Many experienced anglers use a canoe paddle when filleting a fish to enjoy at lunchtime, while on a fishing adventure.

The ideal sportsmen will understand exactly how the bone structure of a freshwater or ocean fish is designed, to help them in the filleting process. It is important the fish be dead before the process of filleting begins. This will help avoid any type of injury by the fish moving around. To ensure the fish is dead, simply make a cut just behind the cover of the gill without cutting through it.

Filleting a Fish

The process of filleting a fish includes:

• Using the filleting knife, cut the fish’s head off at a position just behind its gills.

• Holding the fish by the tail, take the blade of the knife and eat it away from you. Start cutting toward the fish’s head (where it once was), while using the fish’s backbone as an effective guide for the knife.

• The easiest way to remove the skin is to hold a fillet knife and the fish’s tail with the skin side down. With the knife in a crosswise position insert it between the flesh and the skin (no one will be able to do this perfectly the first time). By carefully holding the skin, take the knife and move it toward where the head used to be. This process is more difficult when performed on larger fish.

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Contaminants

Many times, significant levels of contaminants can be found in the fish’s fat. By properly skinning, trimming and fully cooking the catch, many of these contaminants can be reduced. This often requires the process of trimming and skinning away nearly all of the fat located in the flap of the belly and along both sides of the fish. Additionally, fat can be found along the fish’s back and directly under its skin. All dark fatty tissue should be removed.

It should be noted that simply cooking the fish will not destroy any of the contaminants in the fish. However, the heating process will melt much of the fat and allow the contaminants to drip away. Therefore, baking, grilling and broiling skinned fish using a rack will help the melted fat drip away. The drippings of the fish should never be used as a way to prepare gravies or sauces.

As ultralight fishing continues to be one of the most favorite outdoor activities, it is important to understand the proper way of filleting a fish to fully enjoy every catch.

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Which is the best method for catching freshwater fish using ultralight fishing gear- bait or artificial lures? This is a question that different anglers will have different answers for. The short answer is that both methods are great ways to catch fish. The long answer depends on the specific fishing situation. In certain situations you will have more luck if you use bait and in other situations artificial lures are the way to go. Whether you want to fish with bait or lures will also depend on your personal preferences as an angler.

Artificial Lures

There are many different types of artificial lures, including crank baits, swim baits, jerk baits, spinner baits, plastics, jig heads, tube jigs and much more. These lures are often made of plastic or a gel-like material and they move in a way that is similar to a real prey item. You can successfully catch all species of freshwater fish using artificial lures. You can control their speed and their presentation to mimic swimming schools of baitfish or a single injured baitfish. They come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, styles and types. They can be used to represent a specific type of prey, such as a baitfish, crayfish, insect or other food item, or they can be very general to mimic several types of prey at once. Some artificial lures don’t mimic anything specific, but are bright and flashy enough to trigger strikes by fish.

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There are several advantages to using artificial lures when ultralight fishing. The first advantage is that you don’t have to handle smelly, stinky and nasty bait. You also don’t have to buy your bait ahead of time and worry about it dying while you are fishing. You can use a variety of fishing techniques and presentations with artificial lures as well. If one technique isn’t producing results you can always try another lure or presentation method. It is easy to carry lots of different lures with you when you go fishing. Carrying around different types of bait can be rather tricky, especially if you are wade fishing. One disadvantage to lures is that while they look good, they don’t actually smell like bait. You can add artificial scents to some lures however. Lures are also highly complimentary to ultralight fishing gear as the light weight rods, reels and lines let’s you have greater feel and control over the action.

Bait

There are many different kinds of bait that can be used for freshwater fishing. This includes live bait like minnows, worms or scuds, or cut bait such as chicken livers or cut fish. You can also purchase artificial baits. Bait can be a very effective way to catch all species of freshwater game fish, because it smells like the food many fish are looking to eat. Catfish are especially vulnerable to bait. Live or cut bait can be fished with a bobber, slip bobber, along the water’s bottom or it can drift along with the current. Sometimes you can actively fish with bait, such as when you are in a current or when you are throwing a live minnow, and other times you can place some stinky bait on the bottom of the water and wait for something to find it.

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You will have a lot of options when it comes to cut bait. Bait does have to be purchased or caught ahead of time, and it may die during transport or before you get the chance to fish with it. Probably the biggest disadvantage of bait for a majority of anglers is the gross out factor. Some anglers simply don’t enjoy gut hooking a live minnow or impaling a worm on a hook.

The decision of whether to use live or dead bait or to go with an artificial lure will be up to the angler. Some will use both at the same time. Both techniques can produce great results, so it is really up to you which one you want to use. A serious ultralight fishing enthusiast may swear by lures because this is a much more intense style of fishing, where your patience and skill are rewarded. However if you just want to dangle a line whilst nursing a beer, bait may be the answer!

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Anyone that is properly prepared for their ultralight fishing holiday will return back home from their exciting adventure more relaxed than they have felt in years. The outdoor adventure will provide the ultimate experience while spending time in some of the most beautiful bodies of water available in nature. The holiday experience will provide a chance to be one with nature while observing great scenery. Ultralight Fishing offers the opportunity to focus solely on the experience and leave every day cares behind.

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Taking a holiday to enjoy an ultralight fishing adventure will offer fun and excitement along with a much-needed rest. For the most relaxed adventure, it is important to develop a holiday checklist to ensure that you bring along everything necessary for your trip. While it is not imperative to bring along everything on the list, nor does it represent the ideal comprehensive guide, experienced anglers want to make sure they have everything necessary to be ready for nearly any type of experience on the water.

Fly Fishing Tackle

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When traveling, rod tubes are known to fare much better during transit than other varieties. Additional fly fishing tackle to take along on the holiday includes:

• Reels & line
• Leaders
• Tippets
• Flies
• Bite indicators

Cat Fishing Tackle

• Rod, reel and line – any line rated 10 kg or less breaking strength will minimize the potential for landing large fish.
• Bait casting reels
• Large spinning reels
• Miscellaneous tackle – i.e. bite alarms
• Barrel weights, pencil weights, cork balls, 3-swivels
• Float/bobber for live bait

Lure Fishing Tackle

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It is important to use a spinning rod that is crafted with a high level of flexibility. This will provide the opportunity to cast the lure at an effective distance. The longer the rod, the farther it will cast creating a longer trace, which could be a significant advantage for capturing large fish in clear water. The tackle you will need to bring along include:

• Reels & line
• Lure connections that minimize tangles and produce a more natural appearance
• Spinner louvers (spoons)
• Plugs
• Feathers
• Look-alikes

Clothing

Obviously, the type of clothing that needs to be taken will be highly dependent on exactly where the fishing destination is located. It will also involve the time of year, and whether or not the fishing adventure will be on land, on a boat, or in the wading waters.

• Fishing jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Gloves,
• Windproof jacket
• Undershirts
• Towels and toiletries
• Reading material
• Knife
• First aid kit and medications
• Comfortable pants
• Cell phone
• Hiking boots
• Plenty of comfortable, warm socks
• Down vest/jacket
• Hats

Miscellaneous Fishing Tackle

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No matter what type of fishing you will be experiencing on your holiday, it is important to bring along a specific variety of miscellaneous fishing tackle. These include:

• Line clippers
• Pliers
• Waders
• Polarized glasses
• Wader boots

You do not need to be a diehard fishing fanatic to enjoy the experience. Fishing in the beautiful waters is a sport that is accessible to every individual of varying skill levels. By being prepared, and having the right equipment, every member of the party will have the opportunity for the big catch and a lifetime of memories of the rich and rewarding ultralight fishing experience.

Many individuals enjoy fishing holidays as a way to meet individuals that have similar interests. It is important to take the time and fully prepare for the adventure, to ensure you have everything you need for the trip. This includes all of your tackle, rods and reels, along with the proper clothing that is ideally suited for the weather you will experience while on holiday. Adding too much, or redundant items, is much better than not having enough, or worse, leaving something behind.

Don’t Forget to check out our Ultralight Fishing Post!

For the experienced ultralight fisherman or beginning novice, the US has some of the most phenomenal fishing destinations in the world. Here are the top five ultralight fishing destinations.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

The salt marsh estuary on Kiawah Island provides an idyllic environment for world-class site fishing in shallow waters. The area is available year-round. During the months of late spring into the last days of summer, trout and redfish start their seasonal trek as they head back to the river seeking their natural prey residing along the edge of the river. During the colder months of the year, the water along the salt marsh will clear. This is when the island’s redfish will relocate in large schools to the area’s flats. They do this because of the warmth provided by the shallow waters, and as a safeguard from dolphin.

Port O’Connor, Texas

Situated on Texas’ middle coast, Port O’Connor provides one of the ultimate sight cast adventures in the US. Its clear water flats provide weight fishing opportunities, or sight fishing off of a skiff boat. The endless miles of Texas water flats are position all along the backwater lakes, and dozens of isolated islands. Fly fishermen visit from all corners of the globe to enjoy casting for reds. Usually, August and September offers quality red catching. However, with premium weather year-round, opportunities abound for the fisherman eager to work their ultralight equipment or fly rod.

Port Charlotte, Florida

Port Charlotte, Florida offers one of the most exciting and challenging types of flat fishing in the entire state. The high level of sight fishing experiences offers an extreme adventure. The water is clear enough to quickly identify every target, and judge its movement rate and direction. It offers a high level of precision fly fishing with the need to react lightning fast to capture your target. Even the most inexperienced fly fisherman is rewarded with an impressive strike. Using ultralight tackle, fisherman typically utilize weed less spoons, small jigs, flies, jerk baits (soft plastic) and jumbo shrimp.

Missoula, Montana

The state of Montana has some of the most phenomenal sight fishing available in the United States. Much of the area is undisturbed, with pristine waters filled with natural wildlife and plant life. The lakes, rivers and streams all throughout the area provide the ultimate experience for a hard-core angler. Many of the regions along the glacier country in Montana offer easy accessibility for the diehard fisherman, or casual angler. The location where the Clark Fork River meets the Blackfoot River offers some of the best experiences for sight fishing, located just minutes outside of downtown Missoula. Farther north, in Lincoln County, is an even more phenomenal fishing experience that offers both wading and shoreline fishing along the Kootenai River.

Clear Lake, Washington

From late April, to the end of October, both serious and novice anglers can enjoy a variety of trout, black crappie and largemouth bass fishing using ultralight tackle. The Brown Trout fishing is best experienced during the month of October, at Clear Lake, when the trout travel to forage while preparing for their spawning in the late part of the fall.

The finesse and delicate touch involved in ultralight fishing requires the best equipment and the perfect timing. Using a lightweight, short rod, the task of outwitting a fish in shallow waters requires identifying the target and a lightning fast release.

Experienced anglers know the proper way of sneaking up on their selected target, and making the perfect little splash across the surface of the water. When the lure provides an almost perfect natural arrival on the water surface, the unsuspecting fish is lured to the angler’s line. The United States offer some of the most phenomenal ultralight fishing opportunities anywhere in the world.

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Ultralight fishing can be taken to a whole new level if you are lucky enough to own a tournament style fishing boat. These types of power boats are generally built for speed and stability and are perfect for targeting ultralight fishing species in various waterways and dams. A tournament style power boat will be equipped with a trolling motor at the front (the bow) and an outboard motor on the back (the stern). Most tournament style boats generally can easily move through the water because they are crafted with a sleek profile that sits low in the water. Most are constructed to accommodate up to three anglers that can either stand, or sit in swivel chairs during competition.

While most tournament style fishing power boats range between 16 feet and 18 feet, there are tournament style boats that are much longer (up to 25 feet). Often fabricated out of fiberglass or aluminum, they all contain a live well that uses recirculating water to effectively keep the catch alive.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a brief look at 5 popular power boats perfect for ultralight fishing.

#1 Crestliner VT

One of the most popular tournament style power boats available is the Crestliner VT. This sleek design is available in both a 17 foot a 19 foot model. It offers top-of-the-line performance, and maximum horsepower. As an aluminum boat, it offers optimal gear storage with its enhanced quality constructed structure. It comes complete with an aerated live well (30 gallons) situated behind the cockpit. The live well is constructed with dividers to separate the caught fish.

#2 Tracker 190 TX

For the serious angler, the professional grade tournament style Tracker 190 TX has a larger deck area with significant power. At nearly 19 feet long, it offers a trolling motor, onboard battery charger, and aerated live well (16 gallon), with a Mercury outboard motor (90 hp). Its all-welded aluminum frame and trolling motor (45 pound thrust) is ideal for moving into the tightest undisturbed areas when fishing.

#3 Larson FX 2020

Using the latest technology, the Larson FX 2020 offer serious anglers a tournament style power boat. It features two aerated live wells (18 gallon-bow, 29 gallon-aft), trolling motor, rod lockers, and fish finders. This dual console boat has an integrated designed fiberglass floor that accommodates two fishing seats with six well-positioned bases.

#4 Rangers Z522 Comanche

The 22’4” Rangers Z522 Comanche is a top-of-the-line tournament style power boat design for the serious angler. It offers extended deck space, a larger fuel capacity, and lockable storage. With 300 horses, and 58 gallons of fuel, this boat can take the angler anywhere they need to go. The interior is one large superstructure crafted out of fiberglass. It has an onboard battery charger and a 26 gallon aerated live well, polished trim (aluminum), rod buckets (retractable), and a carpeted floor deck step.

#5 Nitro Z9

The Nitro Z9 is nearly 21 feet in length, with a 96 inch beam. This high level professional grade tournament style power boat is the top-selling choice bass boat. Dominating tournaments for years, Nitro offers every amenity needed on the water. It has two rod lockers with lighting, an aft folding chair and a bicycle seat located on the bow. Its trolling motor provides 80 pounds of thrust. It has an in dash fish finder and GPS, along with a re-boarding ladder (fold-down). Its two onboard insulated aerated live wells (20 gallons each) are built with continuous water circulators, oxygen generators, pump out systems and timers. This high-end, high-performance tournament style power boat has every desirable feature for the serious angler that enjoys tournament fishing.

These boats are made with the finest materials available. They offer tournament style angling with the optimal features required for competitive fishing. With wider beams, and quality features that become an integral part of the boat, anglers can have a better overall experience at a professional level. For generations, competitors have used the best fishing equipment available for fun, relaxation, practice and tournament play.

Take your ultralight fishing obsession to the next level with one of these beautiful machines!

Don’t Forget to check out our Ultralight Fishing Post!