Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 1, 1994 TAG: 9409280018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRUCE STANTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The smallmouth creating the havoc broke the top of the water and shook its mighty head back and forth in an effort to toss the moss-colored Rebel Crawfish from its mouth.
The fish then tried to swim downstream with the current, peeling out line and trying to take with it what it thought was a tasty meal.
Back and forth the struggle went between angler and fish until the smallmouth wearily and unwillingly succumbed.
While this sounds like a monumental battle between a fisherman and a lunker smallmouth, the fish that created this fight on the Roanoke River was barely 12 inches long.
What made it seem like a five-pound stringer-breaker was the use of the Micro rod and reel system, a downsized ``super'' ultralight outfit recently introduced by Quantum, a division of Zebco.
Unlike most other ultralight outfits, the Micro system features a rod that is scaled-down in size and is extremely limber. The tip of the rod is so elastic that it can be looped and is sensitive to the slightest bump or pull.
On a conventional ultralight outfit with a longer and stiffer rod, the aforementioned struggle with a 12-inch bass would have been little more than a few turns of the wrist on the reel.
But the Micro system is an equalizer for the fish. With fish in the one-pound range, it almost gives the angler a feeling of helplessness. Instead of horsing a fish right in, the angler with a Micro outfit must loosen the drag and be prepared for an intelligent fight.
While this new breed of ultralight rod tends to even things out, it can make an otherwise normal fishing outing one that is filled with excitement. No longer does it take a four- or five-pounder to get the heart beating or the whites showing on the knuckles. A Micro outfit in a school of white bass or in a fish-laden mountain stream will ensure an outing filled with fun and fights.
And that is the reason why Zebco introduced the Micro system.
``Bill Dance recently did a show on the Micro line,'' said Bob Bagby, the Quantum brand manager. ``He went to a small creek in Tennessee and floated for smallmouth, and he said it was a riot.
``When you shake the little rod and see how small the reel is, you want to go out and catch some fish with it,'' Bagby said in a telephone interview from Tulsa, Okla., where Zebco is headquartered. ``People like this outfit because of the absolute fun it presents''
To most anglers, part of the thrill of going fishing is catching ``the big one.'' Because of its construction, the Micro system can make a pintsized bluegill feel like ``the big one,'' even if it's not much longer than your crankbait.
For this reason, the Micro system is ideal for the creeks and small rivers in Western Virginia, which are loaded with smallmouth bass, redeyes, sunfish, fall fish and often trout. Because of the foliage that surrounds most of the streams, ultralight tackle is not only recommended, but nearly essential in many places.
And while rooster tails and spinners are typically standard fare for this area, there are other options worthy of examining with the Micro system. One of those options is the Rebel line of ultralight lures, which features the Teeny Crawfish, Hellgrammite, Crickhopper, Creek Creature, Cat'r Crawler, Teeny Frog and Tadfry. There's also the Bomber Fat A line of ultralight lures, which features crawfish and shad crankbaits.
These lures all emulate live creatures found in most creeks, rivers and lakes. And with the use of the Micro rod, the angler is able to feel the vibration of these lures, which are available in colors suitable to any area.
Jim Gowing, the chief lure designer for Rebel and Bomber and a product tester for Zebco, said the Micro system has greatly increased the effectiveness of his products.
``I think the action is better, and the baits move better with the Micro rod,'' he said in a telephone interview from Fort Smith, Ark., where Rebel and Bomber are based. ``I think the Micro is super because the rod is so tiny and the reel is so small that is allows you to have more fun.''
And fun isn't the only factor, Gowing said. The smaller outfit and tackle can help anglers increase their catches.
``Fish are suckers for smaller baits,'' he said. ``Nowadays, people have only a certain amount of time they can go fishing. And when they do go, they want to catch a lot of fish and have fun. I think the way to do that is to go small.''
When Quantum introduced the Micro line, it was available in four models. Now, there are 12 different types of rods, ranging in size from 24 inches to 61/2 feet, and there are eight different models of reels - two spincast, two trigger spin and four spinning. Graphite rod and reel combos are available from $85, and glass rod and reel combos start at $70.
``We knew that three out of every four fishermen fished ultralight to some degree, and we knew there was a demand in this area,'' Bagby said. ``But no one had really packaged it all together. So we worked within the ultralight category to go after the super ultralight category and put together rods and reels that are matched together. We wanted a rod capable of casting eighth-ounce jigs and teeny crankbaits real well. We virtually created a new category of ultralight.''
For more information about the Micro system, call Zebco at 918-836-5581 and ask for customer service. For more information about Rebel or Bomber crankbaits, call 1-800-422-FISH.
by CNB