Some guys like to fish braid vs fluoro for situations w/smallies. I'm thinking about 20# Braid w/8# fluoro leader for an all around set up.. Would you do this, or just straight 8# fluoro?

That combo sounds good to me. For smallies though, I actually go with 10# braid on the mainline. Others may disagree, but I think the 10lb is easier to manage with the smaller lures and plastics for smallies. I just dont think that heavier line is necessary because smallmouth aren't typically in the same thick slop that you sometimes pull largemouth from. Since you do find them in and around rocks though, that leader is essential. Braid doesn't hold up worth crap against abrasions.

I'm running 15lb braid instead of 20lb with the 8lb leader.  20lb braid would work though!

The very thin braid cuts skin very easy and I stick with 20.

I've used 10\2 power pro for a few years now. With and without leader and like it very much. Recently I purchased some 20\6 power pro in hopes of catching a striper or two this spring. I have been out with it a few times and it seems to work just fine. I prefer 10 but if 20 is what you got go for it. Like the poster said above the 10 will cut you nice so always wrap something around your hand first before trying to break off.

Most of my spinning rods that I use for throwing jigs/dropshots to smallies are spooled with 10-15lb PowerPro with a 6-10lb Red Seguar fluoro leader. Usually 10lb braid on my ML rods, and 15lb on my M rods. Anything above 8lb fluoro on the leader and I start having a harder time with wind and finesse presentations. For topwaters I'll usually switch the leader out to mono of the same diameter or use straight mono. For crankbaits and the like I'll usually throw 10-12lb mono on a baitcaster unless they are tiny lures.

 

I've found that a line conditioner helps to break the braid in much faster and prevents mono from memory and soaking up water. I use Ardent Line Butter, but I've heard good things about the KVD stuff too. 

For smallies:  I use 10 # braid with 8# fluoro leader on a ML spinning rod.  No stretch provides great sensitivity and hooksets.

I'm a 15lb Braid with 6-10 lb FC leader depending on the technique.

The consensus is light braid 10-20lb with fc/mono leader 8-15lb.

My main smallmouth technique is dropshot, which I use 8lb braid with a 6lb fluoro leader.  The smaller diameter braids never seem to bind up as much as the thicker ones.

Thanks guys! I figured that's what I would want. I don't want to mess w/the handling of fluoro, I just know some guys prefer it when you are not trying to get a gut wrenching hook set a mile from the boat. Thanks again!

15lb powerpro with 5lb gama touch leader for drop shot and spy baiting 8lb invisX for everything else no main line

15lb powerpro with 5lb gama touch leader for drop shot and spy baiting 8lb invisX for everything else no main line

Is the handling of 8# InvizX good on your spinning reel?

Is the handling of 8# InvizX good on your spinning reel?

 

I really like the invisX I use it on my baitcasters as well and have never had a problem with it. the only issue is that it is expensive, but no where near the gama line, which is 40 bucks for 100 yards.

I agree with most of what's been said. A 10# braid (your choice) as the main line, with a 4', 6# - 8# test fluoro leader is hard to beat. Just make sure you join it with an Alberto knot!

When you guys use braid as a main line, how long of a fluro leader do you use?

When you guys use braid as a main line, how long of a fluro leader do you use?

I only use 2-3 feet but I know some other guys like to use a lot longer. Our water is mostly stained so it's not really for the low vis, mainly for abrasion resistance in the rocks and zebra mussels.