I’ve recently had the chance to to try out some polarized sunglasses from BTB Sport Optics. I’ve tested them for about a month in some of the most rugged conditions, interior Alaska in the beginning of “winter”. This is what I think about them.

At first glance, the sunglasses I got from BTB seemed very average. I would know, since I’ve owned about 10-15 pairs of sunglasses in the last few years. But after a few fishing and hunting trips, I really started to like them.

Tint: The lenses that I got had the perfect amount of tint. They were dark enough to shade your eyes from the bright sun but yet didn’t compromise your vision. It’s very important, in my opinion, if you’re upland game bird hunting or sight fishing.

Polarization: I found the the polarization filter applied to these glasses did a great job of reducing the blinding glare when I was salmon fishing (pic above). It helped me clearly see the fish so I could place the lure right in its face, therefor increasing strikes.

Quality: After using these glasses for about a month, I realized that they are well built. I dropped them a few times and even stepped on them once. All that caused only minor scuffs on the frame with no damage to the lenses. The lenses are actually ballistic grade polycarbonate, and can handle a direct hit from a 12 gauge shotgun a 50 feet. Tough Lenses! Check out the video:

Conclusion: I would definitely recommend these glasses to a friend. At under $50, you can’t beat them. To get glasses this nice you would have to pay more than $100. Here is their official website: Fishing Sunglasses

                          

I have never heard of back reeling until I came across this video on myoutdoortv.com. It’s an interesting concept, where instead of relying on your drag, you reel backwards to give the fish line, when it makes a strong run.

I can’t believe I never though of this myself. I’ll have to try this next time I hook a large fish, to see if it has all the benefits mentioned in the video.

Watch the video here: Back Reeling to Success by Wade Bourne

Here is another video from YouTube that demonstrates the Technique:

                          

I searched Google for the “world’s smallest game fish”, and came across an interesting article on Fishing Fury. The article is about tanago fishing in Japan. Tanago are tiny freshwater fish that are targeted by anglers using super light bamboo rods, human hair as fishing line, and micro hooks. The point is not to catch the largest one, but rather the smallest. The smaller the tanago you catch, the more skilled you are considered. This is surely ultralight fishing taken to the extreme.

Anyway, I don’t want to ruin the article for you. It’s definitely worth a read. Here’s the link:

Tanago Fishing in Japan – Fishing Fury

                          

Check out the size of this brown trout, caught on Lake Michigan. This would be the perfect sized fish to test out your ultralight fishing skills. If you can get a fish like this in, on 4 pound line, that would make you the king of all UL anglers. Anyway, enjoy the vid.

                          

Based on personal experience and a few fishing forums I visited, the “release vs. keep” subject seems to be a touchy one. There are anglers on both sides of the spectrum that have extreme views on this matter.

The catch-and-release extremists believe that all fish caught should be released immediately. And if you want to eat fish, you should go out any buy it, rather than depleting a resource. These people have a problem with others that keep their full legal limits and may even confront those anglers with verbal out-lashes.

On the other side, there are those anglers that keep every single fish they catch. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 2 incher or a state record, they are keeping the fish “to eat”. Yet, their freezers are packed full of them. Many of these anglers believe that there is no point fishing if you don’t keep the fish.

Put two of these extremes into one room together and you’re sure to get a fist fight.

What do I think? I fall somewhere in the middle. I believe that as long as the angler follows the law, it’s none of my business if they keep or release. I think that the state fish and game departments do a good job of determining the limits of the fish you can catch. Therefore, I don’t really care if you decide to keep every fish you catch (within the limit) or release them all.

What do I do? I catch and release about 70% of the time, and keep about 30%. I would probably release all of my fish caught because I really don’t like to clean them, but MY WIFE CAN COOK. Every fish I catch is a potential gourmet meal (Pan-Fried Trout with Orange, Mint, and Fried Capers), so you can see why I would keep them. Just thinking about it gets me hungry, even though I just ate.

Plus, I like the idea of providing for my family and having fun at the same time. I go out fishing and bring back food for the table. There is a certain satisfaction I get from that.

What do you think about Catch and Release vs. Catch and Keep? Share your opinion in the comment section below.

                          

Check out this funny/cute video of a 3 year old boy catching his first fish. It definitely brought a smile to my face. I though you guys would like the video as much as I did. Enjoy.

                          

Then it crossed my mind… What’s the most expensive ultralight rod and reel combination that is possible to buy today? Not that I would buy one, just though it would be interesting to know.

After searching around for a few hours I came up with a number. That number was $1140. Wooooow! That’s the price of the most expensive ultralight combo I could find. Crazy, isn’t it? That’s just the rod and reel, no line or anything else.

I bet you want to know what they are. Well I’ll tell you.

The Rod – $440

The G. Loomis Trout Series GLX model TSR801-2 GLX is the highest priced rod I could find. This 6′ 8″, fast action, ultralight rod is priced at an eye-popping $440. For that amount, this rod better be the best… and it is. G. Loomis makes the best production rods in the world. You “might” be able to get something better from skilled custom rod builder.

(official website)

The Reel – $700

The Shimano Stella FE model STL1000FE is the priciest spinning reel that comes in UL sizes. It has a whole laundry list of top-of-the-line, premium features. It was actually voted as the BEST freshwater spinning reel in the 2010 ICAST Awards. Some people think this means it’s worth the $700 price tag.

(official website)

What I think…

While this ultralight combo may be considered “the best”, I don’t believe it’s even close to a necessity to fully enjoy ultralight fishing. My whole family’s yearly fishing budget doesn’t come close to the price of this, one combo. It would be nice to have, but I would rather try out more new fishing lines and lures. Plus, the $50 – $100 ultralight combos I own suit me perfectly.

                          

This mini crankbait has been out for a few years now, but I have never heard of it. So, it’s new to me. It’s called the ScatBack and it’s made by Storm. It seems like a great tiny crankbait to add to my ultralight fishing arsenal. Watch the video, and you can see for yourself.

Have any of you had the chance to try this one out? If so, what do you think about it and would you recommend it?

                          

Suffix Performance Braid

One of my favorite braids for ultralight fishing has to be the Suffix Performance Braid. The line is slightly on the expensive side, but the old adage “You get what you pay for” rings true every time I purchase another spool. Suffix tests their braided lines in some of the harshest conditions to ensure that even us lowly ultralight anglers will get the best use from it. Their Y6 digital braiding technology and smooth coating make it last, almost, forever, no matter what punishment you can put it through. When I’m using Suffix Braid I will actually tie on a Suffix Siege leader.

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PowerPro Spectra

It is hard for me to decide which I like more, the Suffix line above, or a spool of PowerPro Spectra. In the end, the PowerPro came in second because I have been using the Suffix line on my reels this season and haven’t had any problems with it. The Spectra boasts one of the highest diameter to strength ratios of any braided line, and features a smooth texture, instead of the waxy coating on other lines, which makes it easy to tie knots, and leaders.

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Berkley Fireline

Berkley Fireline is excellent for making long casts, and not having to worry about your knots slipping as easily as other types of braid or fused lines. The 6lb test operates flawlessly under all fishing conditions, from super cold fall and winter afternoons, to some of the hottest, muggiest days in the bright summer sun.

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SpiderWire Stealth

SpiderWire comes into the ultralight fishing market with a 6lb test line that features a 1lb test diameter, making it incredibly thin. A unique Teflon coating on the line helps maintain a reliable cross section and makes it super quiet during casting and retrieving. One thing I like about SpiderWire the most is that it does not usually bleed its colors onto your clothing, or lose its coloring over the course of the season like other, lower quality, lines will.

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Tuf-Line Dura Cast

Tuf-Line understands the problems anglers have when they are trying to spool braided lines onto their ultralight spinning reels. From slipping, to creating loose loops, the problems are taken care of with the extensive engineering that goes into each spool of Tuf-Line Dura Cast braided lines. The line helps to reduce the line guide noise, wind knots, and wrapping around the rod tip.

                          

While this doesn’t have much to do with ultralight fishing, it’s an interesting video I’d like to share with you. It’s a video of a pike ambushing and eating a duckling. This video is a little sad, but it shows the grim reality of predator vs. prey.

Larger trout, bass, pike, and muskies are known to eat small mammals and birds that find their way into the water. I’ve heard of trout picking off mice that fall in the water and pike are known to snag a duckling or two once in a while (like in the video). Some manufacturers even make lures to look like ducklings and rodents to take advantage of this.

Have you seen anything like this with your own eyes? I sure haven’t. Have you caught fish on duckling or rodent lures? Let me know.