Clear water smallmouth

[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.......

[mhall]

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.......

Wait a minute I did fish 14 lb test with APB the other night striper fishing @ Cumberland. But all the other stuff I mentioned is my norm and has been for many, many years. My Mom gave birth to me with a fishing rod in my hand that's what she tells people sometimes. MAN, we use to use some big line back in the day though, LOL.