Spinning rod, reel and cord for microjigging

Ultralight is an ultra-light spinning rod, which is designed for catching not only predatory, but also relatively peaceful fish: rudd, roach, bream, sabrefish, chub, dace, as well as perch and pike become prey for the angler. Like any fishing rod, it needs a fishing line. Using a fishing line, we throw the bait into the water, control it and fish out the fish from the water. There are two types of fishing lines: braided and monofilament. Each fisherman prefers his own type of fishing line: there are a lot of strong fans of both, and you can’t convince them. Braided fishing line is good because it allows you to perfectly control the bait, but it is too expensive and opaque. The advantages of monofilament are transparency, “friendship” with weak coils and low price.

What fishing line is used for ultralight? Oddly enough: both. Monofilament fishing line is more relevant for certain fishing conditions and fish: when there are not a lot of writhing and snags on the bottom, when you have to fight with not the strongest and largest fish. Braid is preferable in extreme conditions: when frequent snags on algae are inevitable or there is a possibility of catching a large specimen. Fishing on both lines is characterized by its own characteristics, is associated with certain difficulties and has certain advantages. It is worth dwelling in more detail on the features of monofilament and braided fishing line for ultralight.

Read: Catching pike with a winter spinning rod from ice

A little history

This debate was started by spinning fans. Braided fishing line for ultralight caused confusion a few years ago. Public opinion was unequivocal, only monofilament! And there was a completely acceptable explanation for this. The main thing is not only to use a thin line, but also to make a high-quality cast. And twenty years ago, a thin braid constantly got tangled and, when coming off the reel, formed numerous beards. At that time, the advantages of monofilament fishing line for ultralight seemed undeniable.

The laws of the market are such that the type of goods that are in greatest demand develops. As time passed and with the growing popularity of ultralight gear, small reels appeared that were capable of laying line evenly on the spool. Then the Dutch came up with a new, ultra-strong and thin Dyneema thread, which made it possible to make very thin braids. Since that time, braided cords have become widely used for ultralight gear. The braid began to crowd out the monofilament.

Currently, both braided fishing line and monofilament are used equally for ultralight and light in spinning fishing.

Line selection

Fishing Braided Line

The appearance of braided lines on the fishing market can easily be called revolutionary. Along with the use of carbon in the structure of fishing rods, or the appearance of the first wooden wobbler, planed from balsa by Louis Rapala, braided cord for spinning rods
became a discovery that greatly expanded the horizons of fishing.

The reason for this success is that the braided line is practically inextensible, and those bites that seem almost imperceptible on a monofilament line are loudly transmitted to the hand on the braided cord. In addition, “braid” is significantly stronger than monofilament fishing line of the same diameter.

Braided cords are usually made from high-modulus polyethylene. Hybrid models have begun to appear more and more often, for example a mixture of polyethylene and polyester, which, in addition to high strength, provide excellent casting characteristics.

Monofilament or braid

Some experienced fishermen clearly state that ultralight is only compatible with fishing line. And you can’t help but listen to them, because what can you do with your colossal experience? They say that wet line sticks to the rod, which prevents you from making long casts. But at the same time, if you are fishing on a small river, then long casting is not required. This is where you need to figure out which fishing line is the best.

Extensibility

In ultralight it is important to ensure maximum sensitivity of the gear. This is influenced by characteristics such as stretchability. The lower the stretch, the better the sensitivity. Cords have the least elongation, but with a very stiff line there will be problems with fishing, and hard braid does not absorb jerks well. Monofilament fishing line, on the contrary, does not tear the fish’s lips, but loses in sensitivity. This problem is solved as follows:

• Monofilament is used with a fast action rod and a tightly tightened reel clutch.
• It is rational to use braided fishing line with a spinning rod of a softer action and a loose clutch.

That is, the qualities required for fishing with ultralight are closely related to the fishing conditions and the selection of the rod.

It often happens that fish bite on ultralight right under your feet. If you have a braided line, then most likely there will be a breakdown, or, what is much worse, a breakage of the rod. But the monofilament line will stretch and thanks to this the bite will take place without loss.

When using braid, be prepared that if you hook it incorrectly, 30% of fish will have torn lips.

Diameter and tensile strength

Another important characteristic for ultralight is the thickness or diameter of the fishing line.

The diameter of the monofilament is larger compared to the braided line. Modern materials make it possible to make braid with a much smaller diameter than monofilament, with the same breaking load. This is a significant plus in favor of braided wire. But there are undercurrents here too. Some braided cord manufacturers cannot provide a perfectly round diameter for ultralight. Small diameter cords are flat. So, for example, for ultralight, Power Pro braid, woven from 4 threads, is not suitable.

Currently, cords have appeared that are woven not from 4, but from 8 threads. Increasing the thread count gives the cord a more rounded shape without increasing the diameter.

But, nevertheless, braiding can never achieve the perfect smooth shape that monofilament fishing line has, and this is a fact that you cannot argue with.

It can also be difficult to track the exact breaking load of braided lines. The manufacturer often underestimates this figure. To comply with the standards, the monofilament has an organization that monitors them. The reliability of the parameters indicated on the packages of braided cords depends on the integrity of the manufacturer. It may fit, but it may not.

The diameter of the monofilament used in ultralight is 0.1 mm – 0.16 mm.

Japanese braided cords and fishing lines have a different designation. 0.3 (0.09 mm) - 0.5 (0.117 mm) are better suited. For light -0.6 (0.128 mm).

PE cords

The latest generation of Japanese PE and super PE cords has approached a perfectly round diameter. But PE series cords can only be used effectively with a good fishing rod. If these thin cords pass through poor-quality guide rings, then their entire perfectly smooth cross-section becomes unusable and they quickly fail. The characteristics specified by manufacturers for PE cords are very impressive. This is probably why fishermen who use them for the first time expect a lot from them. But things don’t always go the way you want. Braided line may be good, but reel is not. A lot in fishing depends on a high-quality reel and proper placement of the cord. The amount of cord should not reach the edges of the spool 1-2 mm. In my opinion, the negative reviews about PE series cords are related to the coil.

Sunline SWS SMALL GAME FC

It’s no secret that the price of monofilament is much less than braided lines, so you need to take a differentiated approach to the choice of baits. For example, turntables can simply kill braided fish during shooting. Especially if this braid is not of very high quality.

Memory

Monofilament fishing line has one very bad feature: it has memory, that is, it does not straighten after leaving the reel. For heavy baits this is not so significant, but for light ultralight it’s a different matter. At the same time, most cords do not have such memory.

Wear resistance

If we compare such a characteristic as resistance to wear, then the braided line will last longer. At the same time, if the cord ends up on a cluttered or shell-filled bottom, then rupture is inevitable. Remember that after each fishing, the length of your fishing line will decrease by 2-3 meters. You will have to constantly inspect the fishing line and cut off the area that has become unusable. Otherwise, the loss of the bait cannot be avoided.

What kind of fish do you catch?

But, of course, the fish you are going to catch with ultralight plays a big role. For example, for perch, with its weaker lips, a monofilament line is better suited, but it is good to catch chub with a braided line. Ultralight cord is almost never used for catching fish such as trout or grayling.

Like monofilament line

Monofilament fishing line is a “stretchable” fishing line, characterized by transparency and low breaking load. If you are a beginner angler and are not going to catch any particularly large fish, this is quite enough. You can wind such a fishing line on your cheap reel, pass it through the not-so-strong guide rings of your ultralight, and fish in peace. Monoline will not damage your cheap gear: ultralight will last the entire season, and even many subsequent seasons. In addition, it is easier to handle: it is thicker and beards are less likely to occur with it. In a word, this is the best option for beginners and amateur fishermen: take an inexpensive 0.1-0.15 mm fishing line in a store and not worry about your gear.

What kind of fish can you catch with monofilament? Almost all fish that are caught using ultralight are too tough for monofilament. Well, who can break it? A playful perch weighing 100-300 g can only cut it with its dorsal fin (but it will even cut the braid). A rudd weighing up to 500 g can bend a rod, but will not do any harm to the fishing line. Chekhon, chub and ide are quite strong fish, but only small representatives of them will be tempted by miniature ultralight baits. Pike may also bite on the ultralight, but the situation is the same as with perch. A pike can easily cut any fishing line with its teeth, so strong leashes are used. For most small fish, which are the main catch for ultralight, monofilament is quite enough.

Read: When to fish with a jig and when with a vib?

But another important condition is a relatively clean bottom. If there are a lot of reeds, thickets, and green filamentous algae at the bottom, it will be difficult with monofilament fishing line. You will often lose baits. A spinner or vibrating tail will get caught on filamentous algae, and then it depends on your luck. You can pull out the bait along with the seaweed, or you can leave it at the bottom - the fishing line may not hold up.

Fluorocarbon

The third category of fishing line that is successfully used in ultralight is fluorocarbon. It is abrasion resistant and invisible in water, which is very important for ultralight.

If you take fluorocarbon fishing line, then choose a diameter of 0.14-0.16 mm. With such a diameter you can safely catch predators - pike or chub. Fluorocarbon line, with its invisibility, compensates for the number of bites that can be reduced due to thickness. The latest generation of fluorocarbon lines, quite durable.

The use of fluorocarbon as a leader material in conjunction with the main braided line is very justified. But here, of course, do not count on a 100% guarantee. Cliffs are an inevitability in fishing.

• Sunline SWS SMALL GAME FC- 2 lb.
• KUREHA SeaGuar R18 FLUORO LIMITED 100m #2.6 LB 0.128.

The conclusion is this: for ultralight you can use either monofilament, cord, or fluorocarbon. You just need to take into account the fishing conditions and the characteristics of the reservoir.

Folk sign: For a successful bite, you need to spit in the mouth of the first fish you catch.

Fluorocarbon and the problem of leashes

We cannot ignore the third category of threads that can be used in ultralight - fluorocarbon fishing lines. The material is quite durable, smooth, sinks well, and is also hardly noticeable in the water. Fluorocarbon has minimal residual deformation.

This thread can be used as a main thread for ultralight, along with monofilament or braid. Some fishermen do this, choosing a diameter of 0.14-0.18 mm. However, it makes more sense to use fluorocarbon for leaders.

In general, one of the principles of ultralight is that the less screwed on the main line, the better. Many people try to not only do without leashes, but also attach baits without swivels, using miniature homemade hook clasps. However, fishing conditions vary, and sometimes you can’t do without a leash.

An invisible fluorocarbon leader performs well when catching wary fish species - shy trout or elusive chub. Abrasion resistance allows you to work on shell rock and any other hard ground.

Steel leashes are used extremely rarely in ultralight - only in “pike-dangerous” places. The pike cannot cut such a structure, and the play of the wobbler on a steel leash is very bright. The problem is that it is very difficult to find a sufficiently elegant steel leader suitable for delicate ultralight tackle. Skilled fishermen make them with their own hands.

1. Take the first guitar string. Its standard thickness is 0.23 mm.
2. Cut 15 cm from the string.
3. They bend at one end and twist it, wrapping the tip of the string around the main part.
4. The same is repeated at the opposite end.

A leash in ultralight is rather a forced measure. In any case, you need to approach the question “to knit or not to knit” rationally.

Ultralight cord

Ultralight is very popular, just like those fishing methods that require inextensibility of the line are popular. First of all, this is a microjig. A braided cord for ultralight must have: inextensibility, real thinness (not on paper), round cross-section, wear resistance, softness and smoothness. All this combined makes the cord ideal for UL. In this rating we will consider only budget models, it would seem that budget and ideal are incompatible things, we’ll see...

• Power Phantom UltraLight Color: green, yellow, fluorescent yellow, Diameters (mm): 0.04-0.09, Unwinding (m): 105, Breaking load of diameter 0.04 mm. (kg): 2.8.

Naturally, as with all cords whose diameter is indicated in millimeters, it does not correspond to reality. But the UltraLight series cords, with diameters ranging from 0.04 mm to 0.06 mm, are truly thin. Round in cross-section, which is very important. A little stiff, but it lasts after a few fishing trips and the line warms up. Wear resistance is high, snags and stones do not immediately “wet” the section above the bait. Bright color options fade after a while, but still remain clearly visible. Holds knots well.

• YGK G-Soul Egi Metal WX4. Color: multicolor, Diameters (#PE): 0.4-0.5, Unwinding (m): 120, 150 or 180, Breaking load PE#0.4 (kg): 3.6.

Since the cord is Japanese, the diameters are already indicated according to Japanese numbering. 0.4 is a very thin cord with a fairly round cross-section and excellent flight qualities. Its disadvantages include its rather faded color, which is barely noticeable. The cord is rough, which, when using very sensitive gear, gives an unpleasant play on the form, transmitted from the braid to the rings during wiring. It is just as tough as the first number in the rating, but it is “cured” after a few fishing trips. Resistance to stones is rather weak, after each contact with them you need to carefully inspect the possible damaged area. It is demanding on knots - it is better to practice with a steelyard before using it and choose the most suitable knot option. But its big advantage is its unwinding lengths of 150 and 180 meters.

• Sunline Super PE #0.6 Color: dark green, white, light green, Diameter (#PE): 0.6, Unwinding (m): 150, Breaking load (kg): 3.

Another representative of budget cords made in Japan. Number #0.6 is on the verge of ultralight and light. In the conversion table, it corresponds to approximately a diameter of 0.13 mm. Its advantage is, first of all, its low cost and availability; it is very popular. Another plus is a good selection of colors, but again, colors other than dark green are rare. It is quite round in cross-section and has low wear resistance.

• Salmo Elite Braid 0.09 mm Color: dark green, yellow, Diameter (mm): 0.09, Unwinding (m): 125, Breaking load (kg): 3.5.

Also a very popular cord model. It is round in cross-section, quite thin, although it does not visually correspond to 0.09 mm. There is a lot of paint on the surface of the braid, the first fishing trips it will all be on the rings and line roller of the reel. The cast from the line is not bad, it is quite smooth compared to point 2. It also does not correspond to the written diameter in millimeters. It is visually similar to Japanese PE #0.6.

• Power Pro 0.06 mm. Color: dark green, yellow, Diameter (mm): 0.06, Unwinding (m): 135, Breaking load (kg): 3.

The last place in the ranking is occupied by the American Power Pro cord.
We attributed only its high wear resistance to its advantages. In thin diameters it is flat in cross-section and twists into a spiral. It is thick for its wilted size at 0.06mm. It is rigid, and its rigidity does not disappear as quickly as with the cord models above. There is a stretchy feel on dead hooks that is not present with other lines in this rating. It holds the knot well and is not very demanding on it. Choosing a braid is a complex process, and choosing a truly thin cord for an ultralight in the budget segment turns into a whole task. We hope that this rating will help you make an informed choice, and you will receive only positive emotions from fishing with delicate, thin tackle.

Rating:
4.14 (votes: 7 )

Choosing a cord for ultralight

As already mentioned, the weight of the bait in this type of fishing is minimal. Accordingly, the cord should be thin. At the same time, you shouldn’t lose sight of strength either. Contrary to the stereotype that fishing with ultralight is a “hunt for fleas,” light reeds sometimes provide bonuses in the form of a good pike.

The requirements for braided wire for ultralight are more stringent than for “medium”, “hard” or simply “light”. The first and main thing is that it must have a round cross-section. This braid has less sail and comes off the spool easier. As practice shows, when fishing with an ultra-light spinning rod, a flat line loses up to 40% of its casting distance.

Photo 3. Variety of braided cords.

According to reviews from ultralight adherents, the Pro-Jig . Its declared diameter corresponds to the real one, which is not always the case. This cord not only allows you to make long casts, but saves many baits due to its high strength.

The most often found in the first lines of fishing ratings are the following lines:

• " Power Phantom UltraLight" (diameter 0.04-0.09 mm);
• "Salmo Elite Braid " (diameter 0.09 mm);
• "Power Pro" (diameter 0.06 mm);
• “Climax Match” (diameter 0.06-0.08 mm);
• "Berkley Whiplash Crystal" (diameter 0.06-0.08 mm).

The latest manufacturer, the American one, has another interesting cord in its line - “Berkley Nanofil” . This is the so-called “second generation braided line”. The special coating and structure of the polymer fibers makes the “nanophilic” thread very slippery, which gives an excellent reach. Additional advantages are high strength and sensitivity. The price is quite reasonable.

Advice! When choosing a braid in a store, you need to take it in your hands and make a twisting movement. If the cord peels, it is of poor quality.

It is worth noting that even the best cord will not last long if the guide rings are of poor quality. Bad rings tear the coating and change the geometry of the braid cross section.

Ultralight braid

Line plays an important role in fishing with ultralight spinning rods. It provides the “fisherman-bait” connection. The angler’s ability to cast at a given distance, perform attractive retrieves and then reel in fish that have coveted the proposed lure or wobbler depends on its quality and reliability.

The idea to write this note appeared while reviewing summer gear and checking its quality. As always, I started with a jig kit, which turned out to be completely ready for early spring jig, then went through the gear for roach. It came to ultralight. And then it was discovered that it was time to replace the noticeably frayed cord...

Personal experience

At one time, I began to study ultralight using monofilament fishing line. At that time, thin braids were just appearing, and the main baits were spinners and crankbait wobblers. The stretchable monofilament thread was quite enough to successfully hunt perch, asp and pike. There were chub, ide, rudd, and saberfish.

I got my first cord, which could hardly be considered ultralight, a couple of years later. It was Fireline Crystal with a diameter of 0.08 mm. At that time it was not possible to find a thinner one. But this was enough to understand that multifilament thread is much superior to monofilament fishing line in many respects:

• With an equal diameter, its strength is higher;
• Much better sensitivity;
• The non-stretchability of the cord allows you to successfully catch minnows and small silicone baits using various animation techniques.

Yes, a good small-diameter braid costs several times more than a high-quality monofilament line. But the benefits it provides outweigh its high price.

Today I give preference only to high-quality Japanese cords. Their quality and performance characteristics do not need confirmation. I use stretchable nylon fishing line only when fishing with rotating spoons, so as not to unnecessarily spoil the expensive thread.

Overview of cords used

In more than fifteen years of ultralight fishing experience, I have not experimented, changing one model of braided line to another. I have handled several cords that have repeatedly proven their worth. That's why I continue to use them until more innovative products appear.

Sunline Small Game

My main cord. In my opinion, today it has the best price-quality ratio, and its performance characteristics are sufficient for successful fishing with ultra-light baits. I started fishing with a diameter of #0.3. It is quite suitable for microjigging and hunting predators up to a kilogram. For targeted fishing for chub and asp, I now use fishing line with a thickness of #0.4 - it’s more reliable.

Among the advantages of Sunline Small Game braid, I can note the following:

• Round section;
• The declared diameter and strength are close to real indicators;
• Good reach;
• The pleasant pink color is noticeable against the background of the pond and sky.

Now an even thinner cord with a diameter of #0.2 is being produced. So far there has been no urgent need to buy it. But I will definitely try it in the near future. I hope Sunline doesn't disappoint once again.

Varivas Light Game Mebaru

I bought this braid twice. In terms of its performance characteristics, it is in no way inferior to Small Game, even slightly superior to it. It has a pleasant blue color, dense structure, and is pleasant to the touch. One can note the good range of the fishing line, visibility in any light, and sufficient strength.

Some people prefer Varivas Light Game Mebaru, others prefer Sunline Small Game. In principle, both cords are similar and confidently cope with the responsibilities assigned to them. I prefer the second one because it is cheaper.

Fireline Nanofil

I fell for the advertisement that Fireline Nanofil is an absolutely revolutionary line that will significantly expand the capabilities of anglers in ultra-light spinning rods. I won’t particularly praise or scold this thread. For its budget price, it is a completely sane product that copes with its tasks.

I have it in a thickness of 0.04 mm. I have the cord wound on a reel, which I use for microjigging trips to bodies of water located within the city. Here you need weightless baits, and the size of the perch rarely exceeds 100 grams. Therefore, this braid is suitable for such fishing conditions.

YGK G-Soul Y3

I really liked the price of this cord and the positive reviews from many experienced spinning anglers. I took the thinnest diameter #0.25 with a breaking load of 4lb with an eye on microjigging. Also used when fishing with wobblers on small rivers, in conditions where catching large fish or the possibility of a hook is excluded.

I liked this braided fishing line both for its performance and affordable price. The actual diameter and breaking force are close to the declared ones. Available in a convenient unwinding length of 150 meters. The cord has a pleasant bright green color, which is important in microjigging for high-quality control of wiring.

Braided Line Diameter

The braid diameter indicated by the manufacturer on the spool is a very approximate value that may not correspond to the real one at all. After all, the same fishing line, even from premium brands, does not have a uniform thickness. The diameter of the braided cord is not a constant value along the entire length of the fishing line, but the value indicated on the spool is the average value of the diameter of the fishing line.

The problem also lies in the fact that it is almost impossible to accurately measure the diameter of the braid, and each cord manufacturer uses its own method for calculating it, based on the ratio of the mass of the material and other parameters of the multifilament fishing line.

What diameter of braid to choose...

What does the question mean: “what diameter of braid to choose” if it is not specified for what?

It means absolutely nothing without clarifying the parameters of the gear and fishing method. Moreover, if we talk about braid for spinning rods, for example, then the diameter of the braid can also fluctuate over a wide range. For spinning, ultralight is thin, delicate cords; for jig-spinning, it is much stronger, depending on the weight range of the baits used. What braid diameter should I choose in each specific case? Let's look at this in more detail, but first, a few facts about braid.

So is braided fishing line

An option for seasoned fishermen, gourmets and lovers of relatively large fish. What are the characteristics of its use? Firstly, fairly high-quality gear is important for braided fishing: a rod and reel. Braid is very durable: this is both a plus and a minus. The downside is that braid easily rubs through the weak guides of the rod, damages the plastic spool of the reel and quite quickly “kills” low-quality ultralight. But for an ultralight, braided line is not as dangerous as for a low-quality full-fledged spinning rod or, say, a feeder. Still, the weight of the baits is only 7-12g: the load on the rings is small. A fan of braided fishing will have perfect control over the bait and feel even the most cautious bite.

Read: Fishing with crank wobblers

What kind of fish can you catch with it? Absolutely everything. All that can be caught on monofilament fishing line. And also larger and more solid. For example, pike. Pike are quite often caught using ultralight: they are not bothered by the miniature size of the bait. Moreover, quite heavy pikes are caught: from 700 g to 1.5 kg and even 2 kg. the angler is not immune from being bitten by too large a pike, which is “not intended” for ultralight. Such a pike can damage the rod. But there is nothing to be done; the fisherman will have to somehow fish it ashore. Braid has great strength, and pike have less chance of simply tearing it. So, braid will help with pike bites.

And the braided line will also help out on an “unpleasant” day. If the bait gets caught on filamentous algae, you can pull it out along with it. Also, the braided line will cope with various “nettles”, branches and other cramps at the bottom (within reasonable limits). On a problematic bottom, it is better to use braided line - you will not lose bait so often. On such a bottom, the fish that comes across will certainly try to drag the tackle into the writhing, but you will be ready for this.