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| Sea Trout |
I’m writing this article because I had forgotten what fun
light tackle can be. I was reminded one afternoon when all my rods were in use
and all that was left was an ultra-light rod and reel covered in dust. I was
rehooked on light tackle.
I’ve always fished lighter than my buddies, I remember the
first redfish tournament I fished with my old friend Richie. I was putting my
gear into his boat, when he looked at me like I was crazy.
“That’s what you’re going to
fish with?” Shaking his head.
“Yeah, why?”
“It’s too light. Redfish
aren’t bass or crappie.”
I was using a six-foot medium
action rod and a comparable Abu Garica spinning reel with 10-pound test line. I
told Richie not to worry about me, I know what I’m doing. At the end of the day
we took second place and Richie told our competitors, “I’ve never seen anybody
catch so much on such light tackle.”
Light tackle fishing runs in
my family, my uncle Bill caught an 18-pound striped bass on six-pound test line
out of Long Island Sound in the early 1970’s After all fishing is supposed to
be fun, exciting and frustrating all at the same time. Why not feel the fish at
the end of your line and truly learn the art of fishing? My dad would always
tell me, “Don’t horse that fish in, boy. You’ll break the line.” So, I learned
how to adjust the drag on the fly and let the fish play itself out.
Fishing light tackle requires
more effort from you the angler. It’s harder to turn the fish from cover that
might break you off, with a big fish you may just have to follow him up and
down the dock until he is ready to rest. There are times when you may have to
get a little wet and go get a fish that is stuck in cover, instead of using the
strength of a heavy action rod.
Go head, I dare you. Fish
light tackle just once, I guarantee you’ll be hooked. Did I mention, for
Christmas my wife gave me a six-foot light action Pfluger razor tip rod and a
Pfluger light Triton bait casting reel? Game on!
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| A nice Bass |
