I have been out twice now to a local pond with my new kit (Bass Pro 6 foot one piece rod 1/8 to 1/2 oz, Shimano exage 1000RA and 20 lb Power pro)so i thought i would let you know how i got on. First session one small perch on a 2g Rublex Celta and a tangle off overloading the reel with braid. Cut a few feet off and next session had 6 small perch on the same lure. The rod is very nice but 2g is a bit light for casting any distance, just could not get a take on bigger lures! Really enjoyed the fishing, a perch on a lure is worth ten on the float! Anyone got any tips as i am hooked now!!
Cheers

Could argue that 1/8 to 1/2ozs isnt really that ultra light! but yes I know what you mean.I have always found big perch like big spoons the biggest ABU Atom being a renowned perch spoon.However for catching lots of smaller perch I found that the small Mr Twister worms fished on a very small jig head or "Northland Whistler" head very effective.

If you are finding a particuilar size of lure difficult to cast it is normally because the tackle ie rod and line are to heavy.

Dont do a great deal of UL stuff now but when I used to it was a real eye opener at the different species that would take a small lure.

Glad that you're enjoying the lighter side of lure fishing Steve, ain't nothing like it. The perfect antidote to big jerkbaits.

Have to agree with Budgie, by most standards you're fishing light to medium with 1/8th to 1/2ounce, hence your rod tip isnt really up to reacting well to 1/16th lures and whilst 20lb PowerPro is quite light it will still put a bit of drag on a 1/16th lure. For that weight of lure aimed at perch and chub, I use 10lb PowerPro and its never let me down.

Modern ultralite carbon/graphite rods are capable of dealing with the occasional very big fish, albeit not quickly, so dropping down a notch with a lighter rod rated for around 2-7 grams and a 1000 size reel to handle the very small jigs/rubbers, will not leave you severely disadvantaged when the occasional biggy comes along.

Now you know what to ask for on your birthday

Just to echo Budgies thoughts about the type of fish that will occasionally take a small lure, this is a thames 27.5lb fish caught on a rod rated 2-6 grams using a tiny Ondex spinner. I was fishing for perch at the time. Photo courtesy of my friend Andy Doughty.

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v415/argylle/26.bmp[/img]

[ 11. July 2005, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: argyll ]

Nice one Gerry, I can't match that on that sort of tackle. 18.12 is my biggest on out and out U/L tackle.

Took my grandson out perching today, on a water that is rumoured to be pike free! Trev, of Deep Invader' fame had given him an American 4'6" U/L outfit, loaded with 4 lb line!!! He's only seven, been with me when I've had a pike or two but he has never hooked and landed his own, until today. We had a goodly few perch in the 2 to 6 oz size, and great fun it was too. Then along comes a five pound pike, in said pike free water. The pike nearly won!! Hopefully he's hooked for life, only he can't stop talking about it and perch have been relegated to 'pants'!!

Peter - respool that outfit with 15lb powerpro.

My wife fishes with that sort of gear and we've been very happy with the results.

So right Newt! Have already given him a slightly tougher reel loaded with braid. Grand little rod (Silstar Tiny something) but the supplied reel is not the best in the world. His Mum has just phoned up, more than five hours later & he's still on about his pike & talking for England!!