Clear water smallmouth

[roadrunner]

Art I agree with everything you have heard but do not forget Smallmouth like chartreuse I fish 3" grubs in chartreuse with pepper flake on sunny days Smoke on cloudy days on either 1/8 or 1/4 round head jigs sometimes they want you to crank it then drop it be aware of a tick on the drop. Also they like chartreuse spinner baits. If you are not getting bit slow down your presentation.

[artcarney_agr]

Anyone had much experience drop shotting smallmouth?

[EJHick]

give the spider a whirl

[redneckshadrap]

"6lb and 8lb is plenty low enough 4lb test isn't necessary."

Don't rule out 4. P-line Flouroclear is stronger than what most folks realize. If you've never used, you never know. Most use the "4lb Urban Legend" philosophy. Don't let that stop you from giving it a try. If it doesn't suit you, then you'll have at least try it for yourself.
On the right set up 4lb line will land anything you want.

[mhall]

"6lb and 8lb is plenty low enough 4lb test isn't necessary."

Don't rule out 4. P-line Flouroclear is stronger than what most folks realize. If you've never used, you never know. Most use the "4lb Urban Legend" philosophy. Don't let that stop you from giving it a try. If it doesn't suit you, then you'll have at least try it for yourself.
On the right set up 4lb line will land anything you want.

While I think it's strong for it's diameter, come'on down to Cumberland in the spring and sling a jerkbait or spinnerbait with that stuff and see how long it takes to get your heart broke, not long I can tell ya, LOL. Them 5lb brownies will flat break that stuff and I don't care who's holding the reel, maybe not everytime but why chance it if you don't have to??

[redneckshadrap]

While I think it's strong for it's diameter, come'on down to Cumberland in the spring and sling a jerkbait or spinnerbait with that stuff and see how long it takes to get your heart broke, not long I can tell ya, LOL. Them 5lb brownies will flat break that stuff and I don't care who's holding the reel, maybe not everytime but why chance it if you don't have to??

"On the right set up 4lb line will land anything you want"

Come on Mark....You know I don't throw spinnerbaits...LOL..., but I do throw APB topwaters...on 4lb line...all the time. And another thing, lake fish and river fish fight a whole lot different...LOL...LOL!!!!

But on the RIGHT EQUIMENT, it's what I like to fish.

[mhall]

"On the right set up 4lb line will land anything you want"

Come on Mark....You know I don't throw spinnerbaits...LOL..., but I do throw APB topwaters...on 4lb line...all the time. And another thing, lake fish and river fish fight a whole lot different...LOL...LOL!!!!

But on the RIGHT EQUIMENT, it's what I like to fish.

To each his own... Yea river, stream fish probably fight harder than lake fish, no argument there. HOWEVER, how many 22 inch plus five pound brown bass do you catch in those waters compared to a big lake. As I don't know the exact lake he is going I am familar with the type of smallmouth he will be encountering as there are some dudes up that way. If I was beside you in the creek I wouldn't shy away from 4lb P-Line depending on what I was throwing, I was using 6 the day you Andrew and I was out. Next spring you have to go with me a day on the big C and I'll do everything I can to put you on some 4lb plus smallmouth. Provided you don't use the noodle rod,i.e. FNF rod, I highly recommend you leave the 4lb stuff at home, LOL, LOL. But hey if you want to do that, have at it, I make a good netboy sometimes, I can wait 10 minutes or so, LOL.

[Moose1am]

[quote=redneckshadrap;295802]"6lb and 8lb is plenty low enough 4lb test isn't necessary."

Don't rule out 4. P-line Flouroclear is stronger than what most folks realize. If you've never used, you never know. Most use the "4lb Urban Legend" philosophy. Don't let that stop you from giving it a try. If it doesn't suit you, then you'll have at least try it for yourself.
On the right set up 4lb line will land anything you want!

Note: Right setup should include a long limber rod that can help you fight the fish not the line. And a good smooth drag system on your reel that's set up PROPERLY. You need to set the hook but you can always adjust the drag as you fight the fish. I adjust my drag as I am fighting the fish all the time. And if it's a big fish, use a net!

And the above comment is made with the thought that the fish are in clean clear water without standing timber or other obstructions that could help them break off. If you fish in waters with snags and obstructions then of course going to a larger diameter and stronger line is the way to go. But in clear water you need to downsize to get more strikes. If the water is dingy that goes out the window.

[mhall]

Hey guys,

Looking for a little insight as to what you would do.....

I am heading north,near the great lakes, to a clear water lake with lots of drops, rocks, etc. It's an impoundment lake, so current is non-existant. It's primarily known for it's walleye and perch fishing. I will be looking to catch some good size smallmouth, but have not had much experience with smallmouth. I've always targeted largemouth and any smallmouth I happened across were considered a bonus. Now I've got to target smallmouth and am not sure what to look for! Are there certain baits that would work better for smallmouth? I've always heard that tubes are the way to go. Any special color to use in crystal clear water? How about spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and jigs? How about live bait? I'm thinking maybe I can find them with live bait first and then switch to artifical once I know where they are at. Any hints, tips, or suggestions would be appreciated!

Sorry Scott I had no intension of highjacking your thread into a
fishing line pi$$ing contest, my bad. I hope you got some idea of what to fish with for them ole brown fish. I'm not an expert like some of these fellas, and I hope I don't come off that way. I do catch a few and have had several days over the last few years with 19 to 20 lb sacks for my best five. Go have fun and please post how you did when you return, I still wish I was going with ya.

[artcarney_agr]

Sorry Scott I had no intension of highjacking your thread into a
fishing line pi$$ing contest, my bad. I hope you got some idea of what to fish with for them ole brown fish. I'm not an expert like some of these fellas, and I hope I don't come off that way. I do catch a few and have had several days over the last few years with 19 to 20 lb sacks for my best five. Go have fun and please post how you did when you return, I still wish I was going with ya.

Ha ha ha! No problem! This thread is great! I am definitely taking notes here! Nets will not be allowed in this event, so therefore I think I might have to rule out the 4 lb test. Hopefully during practice I can experiment with the two lines and figure out how much of a difference that line diameter will make.....

[elnutsmalljaws]

Clear Water - light Flourocarbon line (4-6lb test) - 1/8 oz jigs in natural colors (Green Pumpkin, Avacado, or Crawfish Brown) with trailer should produce anywhere that a Smallie swims. Good Luck, I wish I was with you.

All this talk about small line, I will take my chances with the smallest diameter line I can get away with. I have heard it a million times that I fish too light a line, 4-6lb Flouro in winter, 10lb test on my baitcasters for the rest of the year with 12lb test for the main line on my C Rigs with 10lb leader. This may be light in comparison to what others fish but my rule is "You can't catch them if you can't get them to bite in the first place." The smaller the line the less chance the fish will see it and the better action you will get on your bait, espcially fishing a light small bait. I know I get more bites using the lighter line and let my drag do it's job in fighting the fish, don't horse them and you will land them just fine. I landed an 18 1/2 lb Striper on 10lb test a couple of weeks ago, landed 2 different 6lb Smallies on 6lb test last winter and saw a show where (I forgot his name) "The Fishin Hole" Guy land a 22lb Brown Trout on 4lb test many years ago. Light line equals longer fight but also equals more bites. Good Luck. Me, it is 4-6lb test on Medium Action 6 1/2 foot spinning rod, small jigs, tubes or grubs, natural colors, 1/8oz sinkers and take my chances with the rest. Wish I was with you.

[mhall]

All this talk about small line, I will take my chances with the smallest diameter line I can get away with. I have heard it a million times that I fish too light a line, 4-6lb Flouro in winter, 10lb test on my baitcasters for the rest of the year with 12lb test for the main line on my C Rigs with 10lb leader. This may be light in comparison to what others fish but my rule is "You can't catch them if you can't get them to bite in the first place." The smaller the line the less chance the fish will see it and the better action you will get on your bait, espcially fishing a light small bait. I know I get more bites using the lighter line and let my drag do it's job in fighting the fish, don't horse them and you will land them just fine. I landed an 18 1/2 lb Striper on 10lb test a couple of weeks ago, landed 2 different 6lb Smallies on 6lb test last winter and saw a show where (I forgot his name) "The Fishin Hole" Guy land a 22lb Brown Trout on 4lb test many years ago. Light line equals longer fight but also equals more bites. Good Luck. Me, it is 4-6lb test on Medium Action 6 1/2 foot spinning rod, small jigs, tubes or grubs, natural colors, 1/8oz sinkers and take my chances with the rest. Wish I was with you.

Unless I'm catfishing, I haven't fished over 12 lb line in probably 10 years plus. Spinning reels, 6 to 8 lb test year round. Baitcasters 10 lb on all except when C-rigging or nught fishing a jig or worm. This what stays on my reels.......