I have a 7’ MH/F casting setup and I’m looking for advice on line. I’m planning on fishing paddletail swimbaits, jigs, other bottom baits, and I was wanting to ask what line I should use. I would primarily be fishing for smallmouth bass (sometimes largemouth), and I’ll be fishing in water with little to no cover with a rocky bottom. 

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

I also fish for smallmouth.

My 7' MH/F sticks are rated for 3/8-1 oz baits and 12-20 lb line.

I find 15 lb works for me when fishing with bottom contact baits.  I like FC or Mono depending on the application.  

If your tackle is similar,  this might be the way to go.

Good Luck

A-Jay

We don’t have smallmouth like A-Jay has.  We have highland reservoirs.  When I am using bottom contact baits like shaky and jigs I use 12# fluorocarbon line.  For non bottom baits I use braided line with a fluorocarbon leader.

Probably 12-15 lb Sniper... I much prefer 12 lb if I can get away with it.   

I use .011D to .013D Mono or FC line no leaders.

Berkley Big Game mono 10 lb is .012D.

Sunline Sniper or Seaguar InvisX 12 lb are .011D.

Your choice,

Tom

 

12 lb Fluorocarbon 

12lb FC. Either Sniper or Invizx. 

12 lb Big Game Mono

 

I use 12 pound Sufix Siege on my baitcasting rig for all purpose baits.