On 7/26/2020 at 9:54 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

I fish the Little Miami River in southwest Ohio, a small narrow river about 3-5 ft deep on average

I'm in Columbus and fish the Scioto and Olentangy rivers almost every other day along with Darby creek for smallies here.  I personally would go ML unless you don't have any boulders or laydowns near the stretches you fish.  If you don't have any of those obstructions I think you'd be ok with a L power rod.  Just make sure to take time and revive the fish in the current properly, since more than likely you'll have to play the fish more on a lighter power rod and will wear them out.  I caught a 23 inch smallie just yesterday in a creek and the thing tried to drag me under a boulder first, then bolted for a brush pile of driftwood.  I tend to use casting gear and only use large lures these days because I'm after larger fish, so I use an old MH powered Zillion rod.  I hope this helps.....btw the smallies over here near Columbus are killing spooks and plopper style topwaters! Tight lines.

 

-Coak 

Medium light or medium.  For a long time I used a mh berkly tactix wacky rig edition ( to me it felt like more of a medium rod also my fav rod for wacky rigging around cover).  This happened to me the other day wading the Shiawassee River. Shiawassee River right now is only avg probably 2-3 feet and deep holes 4-6 feet. I hookEd into a 17 inch smallie (There are bigger fish that in the Shiawassee) on my ML dobyns colt while dragging a tube.  it basically did what it wanted because, I had 8 lbs red label on it. I think I’m bumping up to 10 lbs flouro now. 
 

After hooking it I should have moved to a better position( my fault) but, he dove under a log and I lost him. . Never had that problem with the Mh with 8 lbs berkly xt. My main goal is to find a good M spinning rod/reel this winter.  I guess I’d rather be over gunned than under gunned on a river with logs and other junk on the bottom.