Every time I catch a decent Smallie in the river I am AMAZED at how tough and tenacious they are.

I have only managed a few over 12" with maybe one over 16" so far on the declining Susquehanna this year; but even on an 8 weight outfit; they are a LOT to handle!

Yesterday I managed to catch an 18" trout on a local stream and compared to a 14" Smallie; the trout was a joke!