Light Rock Fishing, or LRF, is a style of ultra-light lure fishing that originated in Japan and has grown steadily in popularity across the UK. Using light rods, fine braid or fluorocarbon, and tiny lures, LRF lets anglers target the wide variety of smaller species that live in and around our coasts - from wrasse and pollack to gobies, blennies, and even mini species like scorpionfish.

The method is accessible, exciting, and extremely rewarding. Every small fish feels like a monster on light gear, and because LRF is based around finesse and presentation, it teaches valuable lure fishing skills that transfer to other methods.

If you’re new to LRF, this guide will cover everything you need: setup, rigs, lures, tactics, and essential kit from Voyagers Hook to help you start confidently.

Why Light Rock Fishing Is Effective

Abundance of Species: UK harbours, breakwaters, rocky outcrops, and piers are home to dozens of species that will willingly take small lures.
Ultra-Sensitive Gear: Light rods (0.5-10 g casting range) and fine braid or fluorocarbon allow you to detect even the tiniest takes.
Accessible Locations: You don’t need a boat - harbours, piers, and rocky marks all produce fish.
Year-Round Sport: While summer and autumn offer the most variety, LRF can catch fish right through the colder months when larger species are scarce.
Low Cost, High Reward: A small selection of lures and jigheads will catch dozens of species without breaking the bank.

Essential Gear for LRF

A successful LRF setup is light, sensitive, and simple.

Rods

LRF rods are typically 6–8 ft long with casting weights anywhere between 0.5 g and 10 g. They have a soft, sensitive tip to register delicate bites but enough backbone to control fish around structures.

Mikado Bixlite LRF Rod (0.5-5 g) (top seller) - Perfect entry-level rod with excellent sensitivity + strength for its price point. - £24.99
SPRO Xtender V2 2.1m 1-8g Ultra Light (excellent mid range offering) - A superb option for finesse fishing with small soft plastics. packs down well to just 87cm - £61.95
Mikado Sensual N.G Ultra Light LRF (2-12 g) - Slightly more powerful, ideal if you’re fishing deeper water or expect larger wrasse and pollack. Still able to cast out tiny lures and the fight is excellent (My personal choice) - £24.99

(All available and more from Voyagers Hook – check the rods section for details.)

Reels

A 1000-2500 size spinning reel balances well with LRF rods.
Choose a lightweight model with a smooth drag - small fish often dive for cover.
Front-drag reels are generally preferred for sensitivity and control.
Mikado Shinju 2004 LRF Reel - Light and compact with 3+1 ball bearings - £19.99
Mikado Black Crystal 1005 FD - An excellent reel for good money, 4+1 ball bearings and as smooth as butter, one of the best reels at this price point without the big brand name attached. - £52.99

Line

Braid (PE 0.2–0.6 or 4–8 lb) is the standard for LRF due to its sensitivity and casting performance.
Always pair braid with a fluorocarbon leader (4–8 lb) for abrasion resistance against rocks and structures.
For ultra-finesse fishing, straight fluorocarbon (4–6 lb) can be effective.

Terminal Tackle

Jigheads: 1–7 g jigheads with size 8–12 hooks for soft plastics.
Dropshot weights and hooks: For presenting soft plastics in one spot.
Carolina or Texas rig components: For fishing weedless in rough ground.
Clips: Small lure clips make changing lures quicker.

Essentials

Landing net: A short-handled, rubber mesh net prevents damage to fish.
Unhooking mat: Not always practical on rocks, but strongly recommended when fishing from piers or harbour walls.
Forceps/disgorger: Some species engulf small lures deeply.
Polarised glasses: Help spot fish and snags.

Why we recommend Mikado Total Fishing Tackle?

Mikado is one of Europe’s leading lure fishing companies, trusted for producing reliable, innovative, and affordable tackle. Their Total Fishing range covers everything from ultra-light LRF rods to feeders, carp gear, and soft plastics, making them a go-to brand for anglers of all levels.

While some items are budget-friendly, the quality and aftercare match the standards of bigger-name brands, giving you excellent value without compromise. Mikado’s reputation is built on consistent performance, durability, and gear that’s been tested by anglers across Europe.

At Voyagers Hook, we stock a range of Mikado rods, lures, and accessories - offering kit that’s both accessible for beginners and dependable for experienced anglers.

Standard LRF Rigs

Jighead Rig (Most Common)

Thread your soft plastic lure (such as a small paddle tail or worm) onto a jighead.
Cast and let it sink to the bottom.
Work the lure back with gentle lifts, shakes, or steady retrieves.

💡 Jigheads are ideal for covering ground and searching for active fish.

Dropshot Rig (Finesse Approach)

Tie a dropshot hook (size 8–12) onto your leader with a Palomar knot, leaving a long tag end.
Pass the tag end back through the hook eye so the hook stands out at a right angle.
Attach a dropshot weight (with pinch swivel) to the end of the tag line. If using a proper LRF dropshot weight, you simply pass the line into the pinch swivel and secure it with a small overhand knot. This allows you to adjust depth easily.
Nose-hook a small soft plastic.
Fish it tight to the bottom or just off the deck with subtle rod movements.

Carolina Rig (Weedless Setup)

Slide a small bullet weight onto your main line, followed by a bead.
Tie on a swivel, then attach 30–50 cm of fluorocarbon.
Tie on a small offset hook and rig a worm-style lure weedless.
This rig excels in rough ground where jigheads would snag.

Lures & Baits

Soft Plastics: Small paddle tails, worms, and creature baits (1–3").
Metals: Micro-jigs and spoons for pollack, mackerel, and bass.
Hard Lures: Tiny crankbaits or minnow lures work well in harbours.
Natural Baits (LRF-Bait Hybrid): Some anglers use small pieces of ragworm or prawn on LRF rigs for species that are less lure-inclined.

From Voyagers Hook: check our Mikado soft plastics and SPRO micro lures — ideal for building your starter kit.

When & Where to Fish

Locations

Harbours & Piers: Excellent for gobies, blennies, scorpionfish, and small wrasse.
Rocky Headlands: Great for wrasse, pollack, and mini species.
Breakwaters & Sea Walls: Hold a wide variety of fish year-round.
Estuaries: Small bass and flounder often take LRF lures.

Time of Day

Low Light: Early morning and evening often see predators hunting more confidently.
Overcast Days: Fish feed closer to structures and are less wary.
Daytime: Mini species can still be caught steadily throughout the day around harbour walls and structures.

Reading Bites

LRF bites can be subtle:

Sharp taps: Often small wrasse or gobies nipping at the lure.
Slack line: Fish swimming toward you — always wind down quickly.
Steady pull: Indicates a larger fish, such as pollack or wrasse.

Always keep light tension on the line to feel everything.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Using heavy gear: Standard spinning rods (20–40 g) are too stiff — you’ll miss bites and snag more often.
Fishing too fast: LRF is about finesse — slow down and let the lure work.
Ignoring structure: Fish hug rocks, weed beds, and harbour walls — cast too far into open water and you’ll miss out.
Too big lures: Stick to 1–3 inch soft plastics to maximise bites.
Not checking leaders: Rocks and barnacles wear through fluorocarbon quickly — retie regularly.

Fish Care

Use a rubber mesh landing net to avoid scale damage.
Handle fish with wet hands and unhook them gently with forceps.
For photos, keep fish close to the ground or water.
Return mini species quickly — they are delicate.

Final Thoughts

LRF is one of the most accessible and enjoyable styles of fishing in the UK. With minimal gear and small lures, you can catch a surprising variety of species in harbours, piers, and rocky shorelines. For beginners, it offers fast action, light tackle excitement, and a perfect introduction to modern lure fishing.

At Voyagers Hook, we stock everything you need to get started — from Mikado and SPRO LRF rods to soft plastics, jigheads, and accessories. Build your starter kit, head to your nearest harbour or rocky mark, and discover the thrill of light rock fishing this season.

Tight lines — and enjoy your LRF journey!

Beginner’s Guide to Light Rock Fishing (LRF)