Actually, Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4 is .009", #6 is .010".

 

RW- Are you guys using 6lb on the river also?  I can see it in a lake or pond but 6 lb seems a bit light for the size fish you guys get, especially in current.  

My partner fishes #6 original Hybrid, I fish #4 Ultra Soft.

I stand corrected.  Just checked my spools of #6 and #10.  The 6 is 0.010 and the 10 is 0.011.

I swore I would not get on the smallie post but, in this case I will. A guide should never fish with his clients unless they ask him to show them some things. I might point out where to throw and why but, I like to concentrate on the boat to give them the best advantage. Its not always easy in fast current. I have seen guides fishing like they were with some buddies and it is just not right. Most people hire a guide to learn a river and get some education on the whys and hows. I will not touch a rod unless asked. Sometimes they ask, " Why don't you fish too", and I will tell them, this is your trip, not mine. The guys are not paying $275.00 for eight hours of watching another guy catch fish.

     As far as line I use both. Eight is the line I use 99% of the time on a 6'6" med, fast or extra fast action. When I use six in clear water or when I can get away with it, I use a 6"6" med lite, moderate action. I like using #6 for smallies simply because it doesn't impede the action of your tube or grub as much. Unfortunately under most of the circumstances I fish I usually go with #8 and always green low vis. Why green? I don't know, I just like green,

If line size does have a huge effect should I use a leader on a baitcaster w 14 los vis green mono for crank, spinnerbaits, and buzz baits?

Maybe a 6 or 8 lb floro leader, anyone doing this now?

I am just learning my baitcaster and know I would have never ending birdsnests if I filled the spool with 6 or 8.

Thanks for any info

HOPTOAD

On your moving baits line size is not a factor. 8 lb is getting a little light for baitcaster. I like 14 lb for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

Garnet

If you want a smaller dia. per lb. of strength- check out "Tectan" in your cabelas catalog.  I know of a lot of smallmouth experts that use nothing but Tectan.  The dia. to lb. is printed in the catalog.  

6.4lb test= .0063dia.

7.3lbtest= .0071dia.

9.2lbtest= .0079dia.  

I have used the 6.4 in Canada smallie fishing and was impressed.  The only time I broke off is when I snagged bottom.  With all fishing lines, you need to regularly check the last two feet of line for nicks after every fish or every few cast depending on the type of cover/structure you are fishing.  

Jeff

flour works great .

Jnamo, I finally found someone whom had some experience with Tectan line. I wanted to try the 9.2. How was it as far as memory, stretch, etc.

I can only comment on the 6.4.  I had no complaints.  It did appear to have some stretch to it, as does all mono.  Now that I have changed the way I fish I don't really have much use for smaller lines anymore.  

If I was really worried about fish detecting my line I would use a Flouro. leader.  

As with all lines, people have their own opinions.   Something you like I might not and & vise/versa.  

Tectan is equally priced with most mono's so I would give it a try.  Just don't do it during a tourney!

Like I said, one of the best fisherman around swears by it and that is all he uses.  He does a lot more finesse type fishing- so to each his own!  

Jeff

 

The diameter difference is to little to even notice from 4 to 8 lb test unless you are using a caliper.

I use 8lb P-line cxx and never have a problem even in the clear water

of Lake Winnipesaukee,NH.

Not true. The circumference of the line is significantly different. Specifically, for example:

Yo-Zuri Hybrid #4 has a diameter of .009" and a circumference of ~.02826"

Yo-Zuri Hybrid #8 has a diameter of .011" and a circumference of ~.03454"

The difference is 22% which is not as noticable in terms of diameter alone, but appears significant in terms of circumference and volume.

i us a differnt approch due to the Rocky lakes here in New Brunswick on my Soft plastics rods i use 20lb power pro braid with a 10lb test iron silk shock tippet on the end about 4-5 feet long this stuff is very abrasion resistant and super strong i tie it on with a uni-uni knot and have never have had one break on a fish and the iron silk gives a little stretch that the braid does not have and gets really good hooksets

RW,

While it is a very interesting topic, the relation of line diameter to circumference and volume, wouldn't the fish have to have a cross section of the line rotated 90 degress across a horizontal plane in order to observe such measurements?  Being that line is round(ish) in nature wouldn't it always appear in a two dimension plane to the fish?  

That being the case, the difference between the .009" and .011" line would only be measureable by eye as a difference of .002" or .001" per side across a verticle plane.  

To be honest, I would be more worried about the cleanliness of my hands touching the lure than the .002" difference in the line and the fish's ability to observe/distinguish this and make an educated response.  

Jeff  ;

I think what is important is perhaps surface area and vibration sensed through the lateral line. I would not harp on this issue if it hadn't been so important to me. Line size has been the key to success on a couple of very specific occasions. The proponderance of evidence in these instances was so overwhelming, I have never questioned the results or conducted further experimentation.

As far a human smells on baits go, I am also convinced that all fish swimming in Tennessee and Arkansas enjoy the taste and aroma of tobacco & beer!

.002 in the world of fishing is nothing unless you convince yourself otherwise. Especially if your using flourocarbon, most fish stike on impulse anyway. So if .002 makes a difference on a reaction bite why can I can smallie's carolina rigging with a  braided main line and a 3 foot 10lb test leader? It should look like a cable dropping from the surface with lure behind it. Or how about when throwing spinnerbaits with 16lb test line?

If you have confidence in something it works, if you don't it won't.

Well, I wasn't very clear I guess. I use #12 on all my baitcasting equipment and this is what I throw for virtually all "reaction lures." The smaller diameter line is what has woked for me when fishing soft plastics and live bait. I assure you, at least in this very specific instance, it is REALLY NOT about confidence. The difference is line size has had a PROFOUND impact on my fishing success.

BTW,

This thread is about smallmouth, but line size has been equally important when fishing for big German brown trout on the White River in north central Arkansas.

Interesting RW. It seems the smallies in this area like the taste of pipe tobacco and beer as well. Why not bottle a new scent, RW's Smokey Hops Scent.

Is Yo-Zuri Hybrid(4lb diameter for 8.5lb test) and expensive line?

275 yards   $7.99

600 yards   $11.99

1 lb            $124.99

what is the stretch and memory like?