I like to throw the Hog Snare for bass with an 8wt. and yes, it does handle it well. I do take the casting plane about 10-15% to the right tho. When I make it work right I do a "Belgium" cast, meaning an egg shape path more or less continually moving. Hog Snare is a double articulated double hook rig and I really don't want it in my ear. I still think the hardest hit in the head I've ever given myself was with a big beadhead bugger tho.