New smallmouth set up, advice please

[mtnman2888]

Hello all, i am getting a whole new set up for smallmouth (rod, reel, and line) and was wondering if anyone had any advice.

I’ve been fishing for smallmouth once and although i loved it, i haven’t had a chance to make it back in a while. Well now i’m gonna get serious about it so what would y’all recommend.

I figured a good 6wt. fast action rod but i’m not totally sure. Thanks for any advice.

[Zach Matthews]

I would go the other way and get a medium action 6 weight.

[anonymous]

I too like a little softer 6wt for smallies in small to medium sized waters.

[Mike Anderson]

6wt Xi2 would be a sweet smallie rod. The TFO Axiom would be another nice one. I use a multi tip line for my smallie rod but I keep a 250 grain sink tip for when the bite is mostly deep.

[lee church]

I fish a 7wt which works for both current (St. Louis River) and lakes.

[Mike Fielder]

I fish an old winston IM6 8.5′ 6wt rod.

[mtnman2888]

Thanks for the advice, i got alot of info to cipher through!

I actually prefer a slower action rod for trout, but i figured i would need a little faster action rod for smallies.

If anyone knows the area, i will most likely be fishing rivers the size of the french broad, south toe, and new river (in nc and va).

[Michael Exl]

I would go with a mod-fast or a fast action rod that is 9ft. A 6wt. is the best rod for almost all conditions you will face. A 7wt. is good, but is not neccessary, it does help with the bigger bass bugs, but if you are an ok caster you don’t need to go this heavy. As for line go with a multi-tip line. I prefer Rio’s VersiTip, the great thing about it is that the floating tip is the Clouser taper. With this you can fish poppers, streamers, nymphs, and terrestrials. You will be covered for an conditions with this line.

[john switow]

Craig,
I am going to put in a plug for the Scott S4 or X2S.

[john switow]

You know another rod you should try is the new Sage Bass Rod.

[mtnman2888]

Thanks y’all, i will look into all suggestions. I was looking at the sage rod and also scott and orvis’ options. I really need to go cast a few sometime soon so i can get into those bronze backs before it gets too cold.

[Buzz Bryson]

Craig,

Fished all those waters (close, more/less, to home town, Franklin).

[andrew grabham]

Guys,
can I ask a question here?

What flies are you casting for Smallmouth Bass?

I have heard it said that these bass are similar
to our Aussie bass – but that information is 3rd
hand. The type of fly I’m wanting to cast has much
to do with my rod selection – and line too.

Thanks,
Andrew

[mtnman2888]

I’ve heard great things about tfo rods and i forgot to mention that i’m also looking at them as well. Many people i know have purchased tfo rods for trout and say they are just as good as some of their more expensive rods.

[T. Wiles]

Craig,

I’ve fished my first productive smallie season with a rod that I have been exceptionally pleased with…the 6wt TFO Axiom—-9ft.

Here’s the catch, with the hardware and action, it’s really close to a 7.5 wt.  I cast 8wt floating line, and 250 grain (Tropic Express SA), and it flat out LAUNCHES both!  It’s got a smooth spring-action dampening effect, and only a few short false casts, and I’ve been able to cast farther than ever.
My buddy John throws a 7wt TiCrX and I also love this rod.  It’s got a little softer load on the rod which “cushions” your back cast a bit more.  I consider myself a bit aggressive while casting, so I still prefer the Axiom, but both would be Sweet rods to start smallie fishing with.

I’ve owned the rod Since February, and those smallies really gave it a workout this season.

Andrew, we often rig up with large flash fly streamers, Todd’s wiggle minnows, large (#4 and 1/0) buggers heavy weighted, and the Foam Diver pattern that I posted in fly tying a few months back.

Only a few weeks left before the fall bite starts winding down…Better get out while the bite is great.

Travis

[mtnman2888]

That is a heck of a smallie, great job.

You are the third person to speak highly of the axiom, i may look into that one.

[andrew grabham]

Travis,

thanks for the information on flies. That fish you are holding
is a beauty! I wish I could be there in the next week or so, but
I will put it on my wish list to be there for next season. I would
love to see how a fish like that puts a bend in a #6wt. Are fish
that size a regular catch?
From the look of the background they live in some fairly rough
terrain. I imagine that the river bed would have its fair share of
fallen timber and places for them to smash you up in, so what
pound leader
are you using?

Andrew

[todd taylor]

Craig, look around on Ebay for a good used 6 weight Sage Rplxi. I have the the Sage Bass rod and the Xi2. I think the Xi2 is fast for a 8 weight line and almost everybody overlines it by at least one if not two line sizes with a floater. It’s a cannon with a 300 or 350 gr sink line but, it’s just a little heavy for a smallie rod. The Sage Bass rod is the stuff if you are sling’n hamsters or small house cats for the big’uns. I have fished the 6 weight Rplxi for a few years now and I think it’s a great all around smallie rod. It will handle a 6 or 7 weight floater just fine and also a sinking line with ease. I have a 6, 7, 8 and 10 weights in the Rplxi and the 6 and 7 are the best. I have seen theses rods on Ebay for cheap. They may not be cutting edge tech but, they will get the job done! I would call them medium fast by today standards.

[Morsie]

Also consider the new Redington Predator rods, these are shorter bass style rod in 4 models and are outstanding value at sub- $200. I was very impressed with these rods, especially loaded with the new Rio Outbound “Short”. 😀

Morsie

[John Stanley]

Also, do not forget your 5wt, 9 foot trout rod.

[Author]

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