Thinking about giving live bait a try this year.  For those live bait users, what type of setup are you using?  Spinning vs Baitcaster, rod power/action/length, type of rig(splitshot, weightless, etc)?    Sorry for all of the broad questions, starting from the ground upon this.

Roadwarrior, if I remember correctly, you have had success with shiners for smallies. Are you still using this method?

Thanks in advance.

FD

I use a very inexpensive saltwater Jarvis Walker spinning combo with 14# braid connected to a 10# flouro leader by a swivel. I think the rod is 6'6" M.

My main rig for smallmouth fishing is a G.Loomis GLX PR844S/ Stella 2500FB,

#6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 and Gamkatsu Octopus Circle Hooks

size 6. We fish big, live shiners in a split shot rig.

For soft plastics St. Croix Legend Elited ES70MF/ Stella 2500FB and

Ultra Soft #6. With hard baits, line size is not an issue. I fish a

baitcaster and #12 for these lures.

8-)