I have a couple of small ultra lite reels and I have tried to use the tiny rooster tails but keep getting wind knots and creating a mess , how would you did them up for pan fish

add a light wait about 18 inches up from the rooster tail. the type you can just clamp on. thats what i do and it helps alot. you can feel it better also when the waves pounding it.

Thanks a bunch , I'll try it I keep a small rod in my truck all the time

make sure it's a round split shot and not a "removable" split shot with the little ear flanges. The flanges can add line twist. Also, don't attach a swivel to the line at all! That would be counterproductive to what the lure's action.

Was the line on the reel fairly fresh? What lb test? Smaller lb test it seems is finicky sometimes. You can spool up your reel and leave it sitting in your cool, dry closet for a month without fishing with it and the line might still have memory loops and other issues on the first few casts. Also, spooling the line on the reel correctly and making sure you pull slack out of the line and flib the bail over manually is as important to your light line issues than just about anything else.

Give us the skinny on the situation and we might be able to help you. BTW, plenty of Ultra Light, light line specialists in the Bluegill/Sunfish section if you wanna come on by.

If you use ultralight, go with a 1/6th oz rooster and you should have LITTLE to NO problems! I have been using that combo for 30 odd yrs or more now, and well, just ask anyone who's ever fished with me and my roosters! 1/8th or 1/16th and or bigger and smaller just don't seem to cut it. I use 6 lb test, and 1/6th oz. Period.



Any questions! 100% caught on 1/6th oz rooster tails.

Rudy

no split shots, no "tricking up" of the lure or gear.

ok great i'll try it. how do you work the rooster, any suggestions will be appreciated

When you cast it, depending on what time of yr,and weather, you might start reeling a steady retrieve AS SOON AS IT HITS THE WATER! KEEP ROD TIP POINTED DOWNWARD TOWARDS THE SURFACE. Biggest mistake i see people make is to keep the rod tip pointed towards the sun and the stars! You cannot get full spin action from that inline if you do that!

A big, no, huge. factor of the rooster's effectiveness is the flash in weather with sun! Second is the vibration in creates as it moves. Big attention getters in the fish community! Rod tip down, level wind critical.

Another HUGE factor is to have the rod at a slight angle. This creates a "bow" ever so slightly in the rod, and that enhances the spin on the blade. You get to develop such a feel on the line and the action of the lure as it moves in the water, that if a fish even hiccups near the lure, you can feel it!

Giant mistake i also see is the guy or gal casting out, and start reeling in the lure with the rod pointing straight to where he/she cast it. No tension,no proper spin, less chance of attracting your target towards the lure!

You can experiment with the depths you run it till you find the fish. The other day i was at Rowlett, and not doing well at all, yet a guy next to me was using a Blue Fox(same lure different manufacturer) and catching. Finally i asked him what the secret was, and he said cast out and give it a "4" count, then reel.

VIOLA! FISH!! Sometimes it's just that damn simple!

If you are fishing a stream with a current, two suggestions:

(1) Cast DOWNSTREAM WITH THE CURRENT! As you bring it back to you the current will enhance the spin on the blade, increase the "feel" you have of the lure's in water action, and you will attract more strikes and miss less hits!

(2)Fish CROSSCURRENT! Cast across creek slightly downstream from your position, and bring it back towards you moving across the creek rather than up, and hang on! Rod tip down towards surface AT ALL TIMES!

Try these suggestions and you too might some day strike the famous "T-FLY" POSE FOR THE TFF!



Good luck, and GO GETCHA SOME!!

Rudy

Good tips Rudy, thanks!