what's the best pound test to go with when fishing for smallies?

that is one of the broadest questions on this site. it all depends on the conditions. on onieda lake up in new york i fish for smallmouth with 35 pound flourocarbon flipping and in pittsburgh on the three rivers i sometimes cant get away with anything heavier than 6 pound mono.  when the smallies are aggresive you can get away with alil bit heavier line but when those stubborn smallmouth dont wana hit a thing in clear water on blue bird days you gota throw super finesse baits on the lightest line possible.

something happened when I was typing the post, I hit enter to type more an when I did it posted it. I don't know it was weird.

Under what I said first, I was gonna say that I'm fishing clear water mountain rivers.

my type of water haha. I have two ulimate setups for clear rivers here around my area one baitcasting and the other spinning. it is a cranking bastcast set lined with 12 pound 100% flourocarbon trilene and with a crankbait the other a shakyhead worm on 8 pound mono on the spinning rod. i clean house on the rivers in my area with just those two set ups. i hope i helped.

For fishing small tubes, worms, and other soft plastics, I use 6 or 8 pound fluorocarbon. For treble hook lures and small spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, 8 or 10 pound monofilament is perfect for mountain river smallmouths.

thanks for the advice guys, definitely helped!

I keep either 6 or 8 on my spinning gear. 12 on my baitcaster.

Depends on where they are.  Anywhere from 4 to 40 lb.  In open water, 4-8# fluoro or copoly, or 15# braid.

Spinning tackle: #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Ultra Soft

Baitcasting gear: #12 Hybrid

8-)

i fish clear fast running water using spinning reels, after roadwarrior kept recommending #6 Yo-Zuri Ultra Soft i tried it and now thats all i use on all my reels.

When I fish for smallies from shore I use 6 or 8 pound test Stren or Trilene XL for maximum casting distance with my spinning gear.

On a boat I have 12 pound test on my baitcasting equipment.

If I could only have one line loaded up, it would be 8 pound fluorocarbon on a spinning rod.  That type of fishing seems to be mostly jigs or tubes, so the fluoro has better sensitivity and it sinks.

Any size that fits the situation as long as your reel has a good smooooth drag!

Spinning tackle: #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Ultra Soft

Baitcasting gear: #12 Hybrid

8-)

If you like Yo-Zuri Hybrid you really need to try Seaguar Inviz X; it's even more supple and thinner than Yo-Zuri and it's 100% flourocarbon. I've tried about every flouro or hybrid out there and this is the best line I've ever used.

I agree!

I have been experimenting with InvizX #8

on a spinning rod and AbrazX 100% on a

baitcaster. They are both working out perfectly.

My only issue is the price.

8-)

I agree!

I have been experimenting with InvizX #8

on a spinning rod and AbrazX 100% on a

baitcaster. They are both working out perfectly.

My only issue is the price.

8-)

Just hide the receipts from the wife or signifigant other and price is just a number.

Since switching to Inviz X I have no longer had problems with impact resistance (broken lines on Roland Martineszque hook-sets) and I've landed more big fish this season than any other in memory so early...this stuff really does seem to be invisible in the water.

I agree on the price I tried one spool then bought 3 more...this stuff is pricey but IMO worth every penny.

ten pound florocarbon, that is the best, 8 or 12 will be fine though.

I use 8 lb Izorline green for spinning rod applications and as leader for carolina rigs.....

and 12 lb Izorline green for Baitcasters....this year I am going to try venturing into the flourocarbon realm for leaders and with my two baitcasters with braid.

I almost forgot to pass along the most invaluable piece of info to anyone considering trying flouro. Tie the San Diego Jam Knot or the Double San Diego Jam...this is the most important part of fishing flouro.

It sounds crazy but this is the ONLY knot that will consistently perform with flouro. I only wish someone would have told me that two years ago I lost countless lures and fish trying other knots.

Tight lines.

It all depends upon water clarity, and what cover is present.

Spinning tackle: #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Ultra Soft

Baitcasting gear: #12 Hybrid

8-)

Where are you finding the yozuri? I am having a devil of a time finding the bigger 600-1000 yard size of hybrid that I have always used. Don't care much for the ultra soft and the small spools seem to waste too much.

I pretty much use 6lb 10lb and 20lb yozuri depending on the bait more than type of fish.

fish307.com, Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops

http://www.fish307.com/yo-zurihybridline.aspx

Thanks!