mono straight through

[yeungy]

hey i was wondering how to fish ultra light mono all the way through as i have herd bream pros use it. i've used it and i find that it is too strechy. can u give me any tips

[Nath_18]

Its not just 'pro' fisherman that use it. I know quite a few that use it when the fish become very finicky. It works a treat!!!!

I've tried it a few times. Its hard to get used to and you really need to use the right gear for the job if you want to actually land the fishies

Give it a go. Its great fun!

cheers, Nathan

[Ducks]

4lb mono straight through, coupled with what now seems like ridiculously heavy jig heads was how I learnt to fish soft plastics for bream Using hard bodies I always used a heavier leader from memory, never straight through.
I don't know if you could say "bream pro's do it", it is just another tool in the arsenal for when other things aren't working.
I still have 2 spools with 4lb mono and 1 with 2lb which come out occasionally. I'm certainly no bream pro... I don't know how I could explain the difference in fishing them. Certainly there is a different feel, but the only way to understand it is, I think, to get out there and give it a go.

[BIG PETE]

a mate of mine uses 2lb mono on a ultra light rod and a tiny cheap shimano reel he allways does well just need to be a bit more patient he uses the platapus platinum

[Shortlite]

I got into ultralighting in days before braidf, and cut my light tackle teeth on 4 and 6 lb. Then in Europe I got into the light float and leger bait fishing. A very good way to learn to fish delicate presentations, fish slowly and fight fish.

The learning curve is slow, because on the plus side you draw heaps more strikes and hookups, but not being used to light gear and stretch in the line often causes dropped fish and bustoffs. Even more so if you usually fish braid then go to using mono. You'll lose sensitivity a bit, and often miss the very subtle strikes, such as unweighted SP presentations. When you do connect, it's maximum pressure for the hookset, then a patient hustle where the fish dictates a lot of the time.

Being in tune with your tackle is essential because you have less marging for error. You have to get that hook in, cushion the lunges and runs, so knowing how far you can push the rod within your drag settings has to become second nature. Also knots: practice, practice, practice your rigging.

Such thin line is less abrasion resistant so choose the battleground carefully. Leaders are a good idea, and you'll basically be going with the same fluorocarbon leaders. Light lines go well with longer rods, and newer style setups with more smaller guides are good. Higher end reels help keep blowups, line tangles and twisting to a minimum, and the smoother drags are just what the doctor ordered.

I've got to say, though, a good system with UL braided line beats the hell out of the same setup with mono. Sensitivity and control is the name of the game in ultralighting, and I don't see the need to go full mono, when a long fluorocarbon leader can provide the same benefits. However, like others have and will say, it's another tool that you can use. You never know when you'll get busted off after a long run, or when the cumulative effect of tackle destroying encounters will leave you braid less. A spare spool or 2 with mono and a filler spool of your choice doesn't take up much space, and can save a trip.

[kamikazeghost]

It's not mono that some of the pros are using. They are using straight fluorocarbon straight through.

I use it like some others do as well, mainly from 2-4lb. I personally use 2lb fluorocarbon straight through.

The reason to do this is especially on the east coast where the yellowfin bream can be spooked quite easily unlike their southern eastern black bream cousins. Also, this is an advantage in very clear water when they can become quite spooked.

Fluorocarbon straight through doesn't have the refractive index of fishing mono straight through, which means, fluorocarbon will be practically invisible to the fish unlike mono. It is certainly more resistant to breakage than mono at that line class as well.

It is a great tool to have in your kit when fishing along the east coast. I'm not sure about the west coast.

I always carry the straight fluorocarbon reel with me rigged up and still have the reel spooled with fireline or braid to a 6lb fluorocarbon leader at least 6ft long.