Smallmouth Leader Line Selection

[Benjamin J]

Just wondering what other preferences you all have about leader line for smallies. I've been using 8lb Yozuri Hybrid and its worked fine, but could I increase bites with lighter line in finesse situations (Ned, drop shot, hair jig)? Maybe lighter line in colder weather? Thanks in advance

[drakesndrum]

12lb Seaguar Bas-X or Red Label in the rivers I fish. 

[Blue Raider Bob]

May sound strange but lately I have been using low vis green straight braid with no leader. Don't know if it affects the bite but I seem to be catching as many as usual. I am more comfortable eliminating the extra knots as we all know that they are the weak link.

BTW I strictly river fish so the current may have some effect on the fish being less line shy.

I use the braid for finesse 1/16 oz Ned as well as larger lures such as cranks.

[gim]

I use 8 pound Seaguar Invisix leader on my finesse presentations for smallmouth.  For faster moving presentations, I use straight braid or straight mono depending on the application.

[roadwarrior]

#6 Seaguar Gold Label

 

https://seaguar.com/freshwater/new-lines/gold-label

 

[Junk Fisherman]

6 lb Gamma Edge

[Smokinal]

10# any fluoro on sale tied to 10# Berkley Jordan Lee X9 in HiVis Flame Green

[SWVABass]

I use the yo zuri as well. I think you should compare diameter to the floro lines you are thinking about moving to. Seaguar is really good line, can’t justify the gold like @roadwarrior but was plenty happy with the seaguar that I recently picked up at Walmart. Super supple had no issues throwing 10lb test for cb the others day.

[PaulVE64]

12, 17 or 20# x 5ft mono.

 

I cast bass streamers with a 1/16 oz bullet wt.

[Tennessee Boy]

Good question.  I was fishing 8# Power Pro braid with a 6# Red Label leader today and had a beautiful 5ish pound smallmouth break off at the boat.  I shouldn’t have been fishing that line at that location.  The line was a mess from all the stuff the fish rubbed it against and from the stretching it received.  I’m mad at myself and at fluorocarbon line for failing me again.  I’ll be using Sunline Supernatural leader for the foreseeable future.

[MickD]

With the smallies in Saginaw Bay and St Clair going over 6  pounds on occasion (like yesterday, 6 # 5 oz-yipee!) I sometimes use 8 pound FC, but that seems a little fragile for these fish.  I will use 8 when the water is really clear, but if it's not I go with 14 pound Hitena fly tippet material.  Very thin for its pound test, and is tough stuff.

 

Even if I were to convince myself that straight braid would work OK I would use a leader for a little cushion in the system and to save me from cutting my braid so often.

[A-Jay]

I fish in some of the clearest water around - early and late season in particular,

I can often see the bottom & fish in 20 ft. 

It's a different deal if you've never done it. 

I use 6, 8, 10 & 12 lb leaders on my spinning gear for brown bass.

8 & 10 Tatsu or InvisX FC for Jerkbaits & tubes.

10 & 12 lb Maxima Ultragreen for topwater walkers & poppers.

My 'lightest' deals get 6 lb Ultragreen for drop shot, hair jigs, Ned rigs & spybaits.

The 6 lb Maxima & the 8 lb Tatsu have the same diameter,

but the knot strength on the Mono is IMO WAY BETTER than the FC,

especially in the lighter line tests.

So when I get under 8 lbs I go with the mono. 

Finally, in the past I have used Berkley Big Game green for EVERYTHING listed above,

and I caught plenty of fish.

Fish Hard

A-Jay

 

 

[TnRiver46]

10 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Good question.  I was fishing 8# Power Pro braid with a 6# Red Label leader today and had a beautiful 5ish pound smallmouth break off at the boat.  I shouldn’t have been fishing that line where I hooked the fish.  The line was a mess from all the stuff that fish rubbed it against and from the stretching it received.  I’m mad at myself and at fluorocarbon line for failing me again.  I’ll be using Sunline Supernatural leader for the foreseeable future.

You wuz bear huntin with a switch 

[MickD]

43 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

The line was a mess from all the stuff that fish rubbed it against and from the stretching it received.  I’m mad at myself and at fluorocarbon line for failing me again.

I would not consider this experience as "fluorocarbon line. . . failing. . ."   

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, MickD said:

With the smallies in Saginaw Bay and St Clair going over 6  pounds on occasion (like yesterday, 6 # 5 oz-yipee!) I sometimes use 8 pound FC, but that seems a little fragile for these fish.  I will use 8 when the water is really clear, but if it's not I go with 14 pound Hitena fly tippet material.  Very thin for its pound test, and is tough stuff.

 

Even if I were to convince myself that straight braid would work OK I would use a leader for a little cushion in the system and to save me from cutting my braid so often.

Congrats ! 

Heck of smallie.

A-Jay

[galyonj]

I've lately been using 6lb Sunline Sniper for my leaders, and smallmouth are in play just about everywhere I fish.

 

It's fine. I've never felt like I didn't have enough gun, so to speak.

 

I'd just as soon use 4lb YZH Hybrid for the money.

 

Note this is for a spinning application. For casting, bump me up to 10 or 12lb, and I'd still take the hybrid. 

[king fisher]

I use Maxima Ultra Green for almost all my fresh water fishing, when using a leader.  Pound test depends on technique and cover.  I do use other leader for very light tippet when fly fishing with dries and nymphs'.

[Tennessee Boy]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

You wuz bear huntin with a switch 

Sometimes a bear shows up when you least expect it.  I was fishing an t-rig and kept getting annoying little nibbles.  I picked up the rod with 6# fluorocarbon leader and a crappie jig to see if I could catch what was nibbling on my bait.  That’s when the big smallmouth showed up. ?

 

Lesson learned (again):  You should always be loaded for bear  when there are bear in the woods.

[galyonj]

2 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

...a crappie jig...

 

Will catch just about anything in the TVA system. It's like a magic trick.