First, put a regular hook on the line, and find something sturdy that you can hook it to outside. Make sure you have a clear area, so you can let out about 10 yards, or 30 feet of line. You want to do this on monofilament, and fluorocarbon fishing lines, and they will snap, where braid won’t. Ultralight Braided Fishing Line has a different technique, where you just adjust it according to the bend of the rod. Just enough to keep from snapping it!

Once you have about 30 feet out, tighten the drag down as tight as possible. In most cases, with this much line out, you won’t be able to put enough pressure to snap it. If you do feel like it will snap though, loosen the drag a few clicks.

Now reel in about 10 feet. Test again, pulling against the hook to find the point that the line or the rod feels like they are going to break. Loosen the drag until it starts letting off pressure.

Ok, reel in another 10 feet or so. This is for when the fish is right next to the bank, or at the side of the boat. Put as much pressure as you can with one hand, trying to find that magic point. This is where you want to loosen it just enough to allow your drag and bail to spin. Not freely though. Loosen it in small intervals to ensure the best placement. When the drag on your open reel is set correctly at this point, you will be able to put enough pressure on the fish to control him, but once he makes his powerful runs next to the bank or boat, he will be able to pull some drag, but with enough resistance to tire him down.

If you use these techniques, you should be able to bank more fish this season. Don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter to gain valuable tips for your next ultralight fishing adventure!

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The open reel, or spinning reel contains 4 parts. The bail, drag, handle, arm, and reel seat. The bail is the piece of metal wire, with the grooved cylinder that holds the line. These are a crucial aspect of ultralight fishing rod open reel because most times, if your drag is set tight enough, and you set the hook, the bail will spring open letting all of your line fly out. When you are in the store looking at them, flip the bail open and closed a few times. It should feel firm, and have a nice clicking action and sound to it. It should also lock in place firmly at both open and closed.

The drag on most spinning reels will be on the front of the reel itself. It has a little knob that you can turn to tighten or loosen the drag. To properly set this, you want to read the article How To Properly Set The Drag On Your Ultralight Fishing Rod Open Reel. You can usually read on the package to tell what the drag’s components are made of. Avoid plastic at all costs! Also, if you plan to do any saltwater fishing, avoid magnesium, as it will rust before you get home from your trip!

The handle on most spinning reels is chrome plated. They usually add a decorative knob to it as well. Some open reels have reversible handles, meaning you can fish either right or left handed. These come in handy when changing fishing styles from say, underspin, or push button fishing. It should not have any flex it in at all. Also, remember to avoid plastic at all costs!

The arm and reel seat on the “ultralight fishing rod open reel” are one piece, but I consider them two different aspects of the reel. Some manufacturers will use cheap materials, or skimp on the amount of metal located on the arm and reel seat. This will allow flex, and on an ultralight fishing rod, that is something you want to reduce, any way possible. Usually on the decent and higher end models you don’t have to worry about this however.

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The storage of this thing means you can take it anywhere. If you spot a pond on the side of the road, you can just jump out and go fishing. Ever been trekking through the woods, and find a nice little honey hole? Ever try to drag your tackle box, and 2 heavy action baitcasters back there? Then try casting with trees around? You will understand why you need one of these rods.

The combo part of the deal however, is where most people go down the wrong path. They automatically assume that combo means better price, which mostly relates to better deal. This is true, however, most of these combos use plastic parts. If you haven’t checked it out yet, take a look at one of my previous articles, We Discuss Your Ultralight Fishing Rod Open Reel, in it I explain what plastic parts mean to ultralight fishing. Nothing good!

As long as you take the time while you are in the market for a new rod or combo, you can find a decent deal, with very good quality. On telescoping ultralight fishing rods/combos there are a few key things to look for while you are wanting to purchase. Make sure the fiberglass or graphite is reinforced where the parts join together when you extend the rod. I have had rods snap at this point before, so just a heads up.

One other thing, is the rod eyes. Make sure they are built of decent materials, not paperclip thick metal bent around the rod. These should have a decent amount of fiberglass hardener over them, so they should be thicker than most parts of the rod. So just keep an eye out for those couple of things, and you can’t go wrong!

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Some people believe that you must use a short rod, 4′6″ to 5′0″ in order to have the most whip and backbone action to get the baits the furthest. This is a common misconception however. Ultralight Fishing Rods in this length are usually used solely for creek fishing, or places where there is a lot of overhead hanging cover for lures and line to get tangled in. Rods this short in length provide precise lure placement, but you must practice to get it correct. The short length also provides the shortest casting distance of all the ultralight fishing rods.

Rods that come in the range of 5′6″ to 6′0″ are found in the middle in terms of balance. Their whippy tip still allows a decent casting distance, much greater than that of a 4′6″ rod. The length of it allows for more backbone as well, which helps while setting the hook, and applying pressure to the fish. This is a general use rod, and most people will get away with using 6′0″ ultralight fishing rods. They provide precise lure placement, although after more practice than is required with a shorter 4′6″ rod.

The longest of the ultralight fishing rods, 6′6″ and up provide the greatest casting distance. You can get an ultralight lure going so far, that it is almost hard to see the little thing. These long ultralight fishing rods are not for tight places where precise placement is needed, however. You can get away with using the length as a flipping stick, flipping and pitching light jigs into places … but this is a technique really geared torward heavier line usage. Not really reccomended on ultralight fishing rods. These long rods are also good for topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and other moving baits that benefit from having an extra long casting distance.

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Everything looks prepared and ready to go, but wait, you have to go to the restroom! You set the rod in the corner next to the door, and don’t notice that it has slid into the crack. You rush off to the bathroom, ignorant to anything coming your way. Once you shut the bathroom door, you hear “crack”. You look up, and your favorite ultralight fishing rod has just lost a few inches. No fishing for you, compadre. You should have used a fishing rod case ultralight size. This would have kept it out of the crack, and kept you on your path to fishing freedom.

If you haven’t gotten the drift yet, you need a fishing rod case ultralight protector. It is a handy rod case built for ultralight fishing rods. Smaller in diameter than the larger counterparts, makes storage a lot easier. Not only is storing it easier, it keeps the tip of your rod from ending up in compromising circumstances like mentioned above, it actually happened to me.

The fact of the matter is, the quickest way to destroy your ultralight fishing rod is to get the tip caught in something to pinch it. If this doesn’t snap it by itself, the next fish you catch or lure you cast will break it. I promise. So keep this in mind when you are debating whether or not the ultralight fishing rod case is worth the extra money or not!

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This question comes up often. What length rod should I use for ultralight fishing? It isn’t an easy answer though. There is a couple things to consider about length when choosing a new rod. Some people believe that you must use a short rod in the 4 1/2 foot to 5 foot length. They believe that this length gives you the most whip, and backbone for fighting the fish. This is a common misconception however.

Rods of this length are usually used solely for creek fishing, or places where there is a lot of overhead hanging cover for baits to get stuck in. These short rods do provide excellent placement, but they also degrade casting distance severely. These provide the shortest casts of all lengths of rods.

Ultralight fishing rods in the lengths of 5 1/2 foot to 6 foot are found in the middle when thinking about balance. The tip still allows good casting distance, while the backbone gives plenty of strength for fighting the fish. You don’t sacrifice much accuracy with this length, you can still use it as a light action flipping stick, or pitching stick for 1/4oz jigs in tight places. This is a technique for smaller fish on ultralight gear however, use bigger gear for the bigger fish locked into the muck!

This length of rod is considered general use, and most people can get by using a 6 footer. They still give you good accuracy, and lure placement, but you must practice a little longer to achieve the same accuracy that you would with a 4 1/2 footer. The difference is minor, but it does take some adjusting.

The longest of the ultralight rods, 6 1/2 foot and longer provide the longest distance for casts. This is good for throwing spinnerbaits or topwaters, you can get them going so far that it is hard to see the little baits! These long rods kill your accuracy however, which is why they should be used for open water casting and swimming baits. You can really burn spinnerbaits and buzzbaits with these long rods, not to mention unloading your spool from casting so far!

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Shakespeare Ugly Stik Lite Spinning Rods – $39.99

The same durability and sensitivity as the original Ugly Stik, but with an extra layer of graphite around the blank. This rod is thinner, lighter, and even more sensitive! Exclusive quick-taper Clear Tip design. Blank-thru-handle construction. Top-grade cork handles.

Receive a FREE Ugly Stik T-Shirt with the purchase of any Ugly Stik branded Rod. Click here to for details and to print coupon. Offer valid from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Graphite Spinning Rods – $44.99

If you love light tackle, you?ll really enjoy these fun IM6 rods. We’ve juiced the blanks with real solid carbon tip sections for incredible sensitivity and toughness, plus ultra-thin, lightweight guides that balance almost weightlessly on the spline for an awesome feel.

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Glass Spinning Rods – $19.99

Advanced technology in a lightweight rod built for chasing panfish and trout. Bonded high-density tubular glass construction has just the right amount of flex for tossing light baits, and enough muscle to tame a bull gill heading for the brush.

St. Croix Triumph Series Spinning Rods – $59.99

Fashioned from premium SC II graphite, Triumph Spinning Rods offer finely tuned actions and tapers for precision casing and overall superior performance. Outfitted with hard aluminum oxide guides with black frames, Fuji DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods and a premium grade cork handle, these Triumph Spinning Rods finished with two coats of Flex Coat slow-cure finish.

Browning Fishing Medallion GT Spinning Rods – $69.99

Wherever you find fishable water, you’ll find a reason to put this dependable rod to the test. Every model is strong and sure, with time-honored actions throughout the line. Now laced with boron, the Medallion offers a level of sensitivity unmatched by other rods in its class.

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