Ultralight fishing is at its best when it’s simple. You don’t need a huge tackle box, multiple rods, or a backpack full of fishing gear. With a good ultralight fishing setup, you can go surprisingly far.
The small size and lightweight nature of the gear are among the biggest advantages of ultralight fishing. When your fishing equipment is easy to bring along, you can take it hiking, travelling, on a road trip, or even on a SUP adventure—without having to plan your entire day around fishing.
But what do you actually need for ultralight fishing?
1. A Lightweight Fishing Rod
A good fishing setup starts with a lightweight rod or reel designed for small lures and light fishing lines.
When choosing a rod, it’s worth paying particular attention to its recommended lure weight. If you’re using small lures, a rod that is too stiff may not perform as well.
The length of the rod also matters. A shorter rod can be more practical when fishing small rivers or moving through dense terrain, while a longer rod may be better suited for shore fishing.
2. A Small Reel
For the reel, a lightweight and compact option that works well with your chosen fishing line is a good choice.
In ultralight fishing, the reel doesn’t need to be large. Small lures and thin lines don’t require a high line capacity. What matters more is that the reel is lightweight and has a reliable drag system.
MyReel is a compact fishing reel made in Finland, designed for situations where small size and easy portability are important. It offers an alternative for anyone who wants to keep their fishing gear as compact as possible.
3. A Lightweight Fishing Line
Ultralight fishing typically uses lighter fishing line than traditional fishing setups. A light line helps with casting small lures and keeps the entire setup compact.
However, you shouldn’t choose a line based on its diameter alone. Always consider the species you’re fishing for and the environment you’ll be fishing in. Rocky shores, aquatic vegetation and other obstacles may require a slightly stronger line.
The goal is to find the right balance between lightness and durability.
4. A Few Good Lures
Small and lightweight lures are at the heart of ultralight fishing. We usually use lures that weight between 7g to 25g.
A good basic selection might include small jigs, spinners, spoons or crankbaits. The right lure depends on where you’re fishing and which species you’re targeting.
Especially when hiking or travelling, it’s worth resisting the temptation to bring an entire tackle box. A few well-chosen lures are often more than enough.
5. Small Tools and Fish Handling
Even on an ultralight fishing trip, a few small tools can come in handy. For example, pliers or line cutters can make handling fish and changing lures easier.
If you plan to release a fish, handling it safely and quickly is important. It’s also always worth checking local fishing regulations and making sure you have any required permits before you start fishing.
What Don't You Actually Need?
The idea behind ultralight fishing is to leave unnecessary gear behind. You don’t necessarily need a large tackle box, several spare reels, a huge collection of tools or a heavy gear bag.
Of course, if you’re heading out on a dedicated fishing trip, you’ll naturally need more equipment. But if you’re going hiking, travelling or simply spending the day outdoors and want to keep the option to fish open, a very small amount of gear can be enough.
A good rule of thumb is simple: if you’re not sure whether you need something, you probably don’t.
A Simple Ultralight Fishing Setup
A good ultralight fishing setup can consist of just a few things: a lightweight rod or a compact reel, suitable fishing line and a few small lures. You may also want to bring a small tool, along with any required fishing permits.
That can be all you need.
And that’s exactly where the idea of ultralight fishing lies. When you have less gear and it’s easy to bring along, fishing becomes possible even when you didn’t originally set out to go fishing.
You can go hiking, travel or simply spend time outdoors and decide once you get there whether you want to make a few casts.
The best fishing setup isn’t necessarily the one with the most gear. It can be the one that’s easy enough to bring along that you actually do.
What if fishing could easily become part of your next adventure?
