Fishing Line For Smallmouth

[bigdub]

Be careful with that Techtan line!!!!!!! I bought 2 spools of the 5.1LB and one role was a bad batch or something, I broke off nearly twenty times in one day on hook sets!! I would jerk and my line would just snap. The other roll was fine, so far, but that one spool was total garbage. This isn't the first time I've heard of this problem either. The line is great other than that issue and I have had no problems other than that one bad roll, but it sure made for a frustrating couple of outings. There are others on here who have encountered the same problem I've seen, I would probably just go with some 6# flouro and call it good!!

[RSBreth]

I use either 4/10 Fireline with an 8- or 10-pond Fluoro leader (Usually Vanish these days) for small cranks or finesse plastics.

6/14 Fireline w/a 12- or 14- pound test Fluoro leader for flipping jigs or plastics into cover, or sometimes for cranking murky water w/bigger lures.

Fluoro works. You can use heavier line and as far as I can tell, the fish don't notice.

If you ever go over to RiverSmallies.com (or even just ask Al A here) lot's of guys use superline tied direct, and really do well, so figure that one out.

I've been using 40-pound test (same diameter as 10-pound mono) Stren Superbraid tied direct for spinnerbaits.

I don't lose many fish to break-offs.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Spinning gear - 6 lb Maxima low-vis green or Trilene XL low-vis green

Baitcaster - throwing big topwater baits - 12 lb Cajun Red

Fly-rod - straight 2x-3x mono or just fish off the end of a 7.5 ft 3x tapered leader

[OzarkFishman]

P-line floroclear is the way to go for spinning gear ... unless the situation calls for braid (i've only used powerpro and it works great).

[Bassin' Man]

What pound test and type of line do you guys use for smallie fishing in streams with really clear water? I've just been using 6# Trilene XL because it was either that or the 2# Maxima on my trout reels. I was going to buy some Tectan Premium Plus from Cabelas in a diameter similar to 6# Trilene, but they were sold out. I'm thinking about using some fluorocarbon line like Vanish in 6 or 8#'s, but I've never used fluoro before.

I use 6lb. test Maxima on a 6' spinning rod with a spinning reel when I fish crank baits or finesse fish, but when I use bait casting outfits I go with 10lb. test High Abrasion Resistance Stren or Trilene on a 6'6" rod with a high speed 7:1 retrieve ratio reel, and I use buzz baits or throw a Jig and Chompers. Flourocarbon is a good choice for low stretch and increased feel, but I personally never used it.

[Ämp]

4lbs test trilene will pull in a marlin

[BeagleVoodoo]

Used 8# Trilene XL for several years on Current, never felt like I was spooking the smallies. Plus you never know when you might accidently hook a walleye. Seems like 8lb still gives plenty of casting distance with 1\4 oz jigs and small crankbaits.

[Al Agnew]

In my experience, you don't need really light line. I use the same lines for all my smallie fishing no matter how clear the water is...8 pound McCoys Mean Green co-poly on my baitcasting rods, and Power Pro braided line on spinning tackle. I've been fishing 2/10 Power Pro, but this year I'm trying 4/15 and 6/20 to see if it makes any difference to the fish.

[bhos]

I really like powerpro, I use 10,30,50 and 80 lb in moss green on spinning and baitcast gear and like them all. It looks really dark at first, but don't worry, it bleeds a lot of that color quickly and gets lighter green. VERY sensitive, you can feel a bite even on a slack line. Sometimes I'll use a leader in really clear water, pline cxx 12 for bass or basspro tourney tough 8 mono for smaller stuff, really like both those mono lines, but the pline has a lot of memory for a 12 lb test line. The bass pro 10 lb tourney tough mono is good (and cheap) too, I use it on a crankbait rig, little memory and casts great. I've tried vanish flouro, didn't like it at all, way to stiff for the lb rating. I've heard lots of good things about trilene 100% flouro, I'm going to pick some up and give it a try sometime soon.

[ozark trout fisher]

What pound test and type of line do you guys use for smallie fishing in streams with really clear water? I've just been using 6# Trilene XL because it was either that or the 2# Maxima on my trout reels. I was going to buy some Tectan Premium Plus from Cabelas in a diameter similar to 6# Trilene, but they were sold out. I'm thinking about using some fluorocarbon line like Vanish in 6 or 8#'s, but I've never used fluoro before.

I've used mono 4 to 8 pound test with good success, and I prefer spider wire, but that's just me.