what are good rods for smallmouth? i mean, i know that UL rods are a HOOT, but i have a MH/F pfleuger that i bought for soft plastic fishing for largemouth, and i want to build some mojo on it! is that a good choice?

Any rod is good for smallmouth the rod does not know what it is catching.

If you are targeting smallmouth 5 lbs and less, the St. Croix

Avid AVS66MLF matched up with a Stradic 1000FI is fine. For

a little more money, the G. Loomis SJR783 or SJR843 IMX or

GLX are perfect.

For bigger fish, I prefer G. Loomis GLX PR844S. Mine is matched

with a Stella 2500FD and Yo-Zuri Hybrid #6. On this rod smaller

fish are still fun, but it also handles 30 lb buffalo and drum! When

you have the fish of a lifetime tugging on your line, this is a rod

you can depend on.

8-)

Like largemouth fishing you will end up with different rods that do a different task well.

I do not think that there is a single perfect rod that covers everything.

I use a light action spinnning for weightless plastics to a Med heavy baitcaster and 20lb mono. for grassbeds and a med heavy inshore rod and 4000 size reel for jitterbugs. And yes on small streams I use an UL and UL lures. And for targeting big fish, use bigger tackle. I have learned to love my baitcasters for smallies.

Just depends on what you are fishing.

And after YEARS of fishing for smallies I have come to the conclusion that what works for a largemouth can be applied to smallmouth.

And dont think that a smallie wont eat a lure you intended for a largemouth either.

I wouldnt use a 10" worm or a 12" swimbait for a smallie though.

Ern

Well, believe me, I LOVE technique specific rods, but

a Medium Power/ Fast Action spinning rig could be used for

everything. There is nothing, except heavy swimbaits, that

my rod (PR844S) can't handle.

8-)

nice. thanks for all your help guys. i'm just glad that i've bought so many smaller lures for largemouth (in oregon, the lm don't get very big) so ya i'm excited. last night i found a smallie that was about 2 pounds in a pile of wood that kept hitting my crankbaits. lost 2 of them. i'm going back today to settle the score.

Well, believe me, I LOVE technique specific rods, but

a Medium Power/ Fast Action spinning rig could be used for

everything. There is nothing, except heavy swimbaits, that

my rod (PR844S) can't handle.

Same rod would work with about ANY fishing situation.

Don't mean that another rod wouldn't do the same tasks BETTER.  I don't use technique specific rods.  I use what I like.  What works for me.  

FWIW, I'm taking a 6'6" St Croix and Shimano 2000 combo Surf Fishing in three weeks to the Carolina coast.

Ern

Well, believe me, I LOVE technique specific rods, but

a Medium Power/ Fast Action spinning rig could be used for

everything. There is nothing, except heavy swimbaits, that

my rod (PR844S) can't handle.

8-)

I couldn't agree more. I have a 7' St Croix LE MF, and my son has a 6 1/2' Crucial MF. Both are fantastic smallmouth rods. The taper and build of his Crucial handles slightly smaller lures better than mine. Mine handles slightly larger lures better.

We wade the river, so we can only take one rod most of the time. Those rods handle about 95% of our needs. If I could take two, I would also have a 6 1/2' to 7' ML rod.

Of course, if I was fishing out of a boat in both the river or a lake, I would also have a MH casting setup.