Line Size For River Smallmouth

[Mitch f]

It seems when I talk with people I'm surprised they use ultralight rods and light line for river smallies. And of course they are surprised I use what they consider much too heavy of a line size. For me, I see no reason to use anything lighter than 8lb test, on an exceptional rare occasion maybe 6 pound, but that's the absolute lightest. Ultra light rods and light line make it easier to break off and possibly kill the fish, or work the fish to exhaustion in the summer when the water temps above 80. I once saw a guy with a fly rod at Cardiac hill below Meramec springs who told me his favorite tatic in the summer was to use a very light flyrod and fight the fish for a long time, "It just makes my day because it's more fun to fight the fish for a long time". Didnt want to burst his bubble but should've said something.

My biggest smallmouth in Missouri came on 15 lb test in the middle of the winter, but I admit that was overkill becuase I was fishing a larger jig.

Actually I can't think of one reason on the river fishing for smallmouth where an ultralight rig is appropriate. Yes, if you're fishing a lake in the winter for suspended fish with a float and fly, light line would be ok, but a river is something completely different.

[Greasy B]

My bait casters are rigged with 10#, the spinning rods are rigged with 8# during the majority of the season and 6# in the fall. I only use Trilene XT green, there might well be better lines but my time on the rivers is so valuable that I don't want to waste it experimenting. The Trilene is reliable and I know how it will behave. Loosing fish due to breaking line is has more to do with bad knots, frayed, kinked or old line than test. Loosing a fish because of too light a line never really happens. The heavier strength is just need to free valuable baits from snags. Frankly I don't want a line that has an incredible strength, theres a point were I just need to break off tie on a new bait and get on with fishing. Of course there is the whole issue of line diameter and sink rates but that's more than I can discuss typing into my telephone.

[fishinwrench]

Greasy, I used XT for 20 years and you're right about it being consistent and dependable, but I promise you that if you'll give P-Line CX Premium a try for just one day you'll never go back.

There are others equally as good and I haven't tried them all but old dependable XT took a back seat about 5 years ago. The decent co-poly lines are just so much better, especially for rocky river fishing.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I've used P-line Premium for many years in #8 test on my baitcasters and #6 on my spinning rod. I think as long as you're vigilant about making sure the first foot or so isn't damaged it is heavy enough for stream smallies. The only exception is for Sammies and fall jerkbaits and then it is 4/15 TUF braid. I like the fact that it floats and has no stretch when I fish these lures.

[Gavin]

I use 8-12lb mono on my baitcasters. No particular preferance...Mean Grean, Suffix Siege, Trilene, Maxima, I cant tell the difference. I usually spool up my spin rods with 6# Yellow Suffix Braid (which is way stronger than 6lb) and I tie on a 6' 8-12lb flouro leader. I switch out to 8# mono when its below freezing. When fly fishing for smallmouth, I usually go with 10lb mono tippets for poppers, 8# flouro for subsurface.

[Mitch f]

I've used P-line Premium for many years in #8 test on my baitcasters and #6 on my spinning rod. I think as long as you're vigilant about making sure the first foot or so isn't damaged it is heavy enough for stream smallies. The only exception is for Sammies and fall jerkbaits and then it is 4/15 TUF braid. I like the fact that it floats and has no stretch when I fish these lures.

yep , the braid is a whole different ballgame

[Mitch f]

Greasy, I used XT for 20 years and you're right about it being consistent and dependable, but I promise you that if you'll give P-Line CX Premium a try for just one day you'll never go back.

There are others equally as good and I haven't tried them all but old dependable XT took a back seat about 5 years ago. The decent co-poly lines are just so much better, especially for rocky river fishing.

I've never tried P-Line CX and should try it. Last year I switched over to Yozuri Hybrid after a recommendation and have never looked back. Awesome line too!

[gotmuddy]

I use 6-8lb on my spinning reels and 8-10lb on my baitcasters.

[Greasy B]

Greasy, I used XT for 20 years and you're right about it being consistent and dependable, but I promise you that if you'll give P-Line CX Premium a try for just one day you'll never go back.

There are others equally as good and I haven't tried them all but old dependable XT took a back seat about 5 years ago. The decent co-poly lines are just so much better, especially for rocky river fishing.

Thanks for the advice Wrench. I’m kind of amazed I’m only 5 years behind the times, I’ve long given up trying to keep up with the latest products and techniques in favor of just spending time on the rivers, but I can change, I think. I’ll pick up some P-Line next time I’m in Cabela’s spending my retirement savings on gear.

[exiledguide]

It's amazing that any fish were ever caught before Flourocarbon or Baraided lines were available.....I guess advertising works.