Thread: Setup for gills

I just have a question. I have an ultra lite, and I was just wondering how big of a fish those flimsey things can actually catch. I want to use it, but i don't want to hook up with a big bass and have it snap in two. i know they eon't have drags, so should i still use it and just back reel if i need to? Thanks if you have any advice.

I've caught a couple 10 pound cats on 4 pound test using a little 4'6" quantum xtralite set up. The rod was rated for 1/64 ounce jig. It handled them fine. I just had to take my time. took about 15 minutes for each one to tire. Leave drag LOOSE so the fish can run and wear himself out. I broke the tip off myself on accident. now I have a BNM Sharpshooter. I like this rod too. CF

You won't break the rod if you use the drag or back reel. The only way you'd break the rod is if you loaded it with heavy line and screwed the drag down tight. Just use the line the rod is rated for.

I landed a 7 lb. largemouth on 2 lb. line and my 4 1/2 foot UL. I've also caught a bunch of 8-10 lb. channel cats on the same rod but with 4 lb. line.
My dad got a 20+ lb. drum on 4 lb. with his 5 foot UL.

ive hardly picked up anything other than my 5' UL with 4# line this year. catching fish on an UL rod is a blast. u just cant muscle the fish like u would with a longer/heavier rod.

I hooked into a 13 lb.buffalo w/4 lb mono & 12ft. B&M crappie pole. I had to play the drag a little, but was not much of a problem as the pole does all the work if you are set up right. I've never broke a pole on a fish. Always other issues involved. Now poor storage, car doors & hatchbacks have claimed their share.
As a side note- I have only returned one pole for replacement. It was a Wally Marshal that had the first guide a little out of line. Anything that has happened to my poles has never been what I considered to be the manufacture's fault.
Personally, I think the overall quality of the rods out there is great!! :D Mike

Falcon Smitty caught a 10 pound striper on four pound test line at Blackshear in January. We ate it at the fish fry. Not bad.

I had a friend catch a 10 pound northern pike on 4# line and a 4' 6" rod.

I like to use a jig and spinner, catches some nice ones and i dont have as many little ones messing with my. I can throw it in the bushes and get it out easy. Its my "bread and butter"!!!!