I've gotten into kayak fishin and found that I prefer to use bait casters to spinning rods. My delimma is that one of the rods I want to use is a 6'6" heavy power daiwa tierra rod. I will be using it for only soft plastics and I will be fishing in a river system with little grass/cover. Do you think the heavy power rod is to much for the smallmouth?

you would get good advice if you went to the smallmouth bass fishing forum

Yea I thought about that but i figured it's a subject more about the rod than the fish. An the mods can always move it if it's in the wrong spot.

might end up being useful if you want to fish heavy jigs to deal with the current. Dont worry about the fish, they wont be trying to read the blank.

NGaHB

I match the rod more to the bait weight than the size of the fish. If I were fishing from a boat where I was "close to my work", and no real heavy cover to worry about, a medium rod would be what I would be using. Is current an issue? If so I may jump it up to mh, but probably not.

I match the rod more to the bait weight than the size of the fish. If I were fishing from a boat where I was "close to my work", and no real heavy cover to worry about, a medium rod would be what I would be using. Is current an issue? If so I may jump it up to mh, but probably not.

If the lures you use are within the specs of the rod then you will be ok, but if you are looking to fish 3" tubes on a 1/8oz head with it then you may be a little over powered. I use medium and medium heavy outfits for smallies, I never use light or medium light as it takes too long to land a 4lb smallie on that kind of tackle and a long battle in the summer is sure death for the fish.

Sounds like i will be ok..the rod is rated for 3/8oz-1 1/2oz , where we fish there is considerable current so i wanted to use heavier weight. I put on a 3/16 weight and 1/4 weight last night and it casted fine for what we do. I was just worried that the heavier power might rip the hooks out of their mouths.

Thanks guys!!

It's really all about the lure/ bait. For the most part, spinning tackle and Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4 or #6 is the ticket.

If you fish a 3/4 oz Ledgebuster, heavier gear is the better option.

Cover would be another consideration. I caught this fish using a 1 oz. t-rig and a XH flipping stick. Smallies were in shallow weeds on that particular day.

Haha god that picture is funny. Love the face there.