I have a chance to go smallmouth fishing for the first time, and I want to know what rod weight is appropriate. Will I be under equipped with a 5 wt.? Many people in Texas, where I live, suggest an 8 wt. or larger for any kind of bass, but I prefer casting a lighter rod if possible. In your opinion, what is the ideal length and weight for smallmouth fishing?
Thanks,
John
For all around smallie fishing I like the 7wgt the best. Backbone when you need it but sensitive for smallies species as well. On larger water the 8 would do you well, but if you’re going to mix differnet size bodies of water take a look at a 7.
IMO, an 8 wt is overkill for smallies. I usually use either a 6 or 7. Depending on what you plan on throwing at them, a five weight is not out of the question (I’ve caught quite a few on a 5.) It’ll definitely handle the fish, but not necessarily the size bugs you want to throw.
In my part of Texas I mostly cast a 6 wt. Its a little overkill for some of the pan fish and smaller bass but when you hook up on that 3 or 4 pounder lurking in the stumps your glad you have it. Another plus is it cast better in our typical windy conditions. With the exception of a day here or there the wind is constant in south Texas. One day from the north west , next day from the south east. I prefer casting a 4 wt. when I can. For me light rod plus big fish equals fun fishing. Just my opinion.
A six weight I think is about the best all-around rod for smallies. You can get by with a 5 weight, depending on the size flies you’re planning on throwing. If you’re fishing a smaller creek, with smaller fish, and can get away with throwing smaller flies, then a 5 weight will do just fine.
I use a 5 line with a 7 foot fiberglass rod and I throw some pretty big flies. My favorite stream isn’t that big but I still get some casts out 50 feet or better. Works well for me and while I’m not bragging some of the smallies are in the 18-20 inch range.
I prefer a 6wt, which will handle the larger fish well enough. The only reasons to go heavier would be to throw large, wind resistant bugs, or if you are fishing a fairly windy river. For small stream smallies, I often fish a 4wt.
If I had to choose only one rod, it would be a 7wt. But variety is nice, so I fish with a fast 6wt for topwater poppers, etc and a fast 8wt for heavy, large weighted streamers.
I used to think anything above a 6wt was overkill for river smallies, but not anymore. I fish a river that has a canyon-like feature and the wind coming up the canyon is a normal visitor. Puls, heavy weighted streamers, big flies, are commonly thrown too, and the 8wt excels. The rod weight is not necessarily for the fish but for throwing the big, weighted flies. I’ve worked my arm off before trying to throw big heavy flies on the 6wt when a 8wt will make your day alot easier. Of course I’m usually fishing from a cataraft and carrying 2 rods at the ready is no problem. If I had to choose only one, it would be in the middle, a 7wt.
I think it pretty much depends the type of water you are fishing and the size of flys you intend to throw. I tend to use a 6wt if the wind is not too bad and I am fishing a #6 or below. If the wind is strong or if I am using bigger flys, then the 8wt gets the nod. I think you also need to consider how big the fish are. Since all my smallie fishing is catch and release, I want to get em landed and released.
However I think Bob C may be spot on when it comes to the 7wt. I don’t own one but have been seriously considering getting a 7.
Just my 2 pennies worth.
I have to concur with Bob on the 7wt. Good all round rod for bass bugs and decent fish.
As for length my choice is 9ft. I recently picked up a 7wt 4pc 9ft rod specifically for smallies …just another opinion.
Hi John,
I’m new to smallmouth fishing also and am trying to figure this rod, line weight question out. Fishing bamboo makes it a little more difficult.
A bunch of fine replies and suggestions so far.
Been doing a lot of backyard casting with different rods and lines. This is absolutely no substitute for being on the water.
We’ll figure it out. Right now I’m leaning toward a 8 1/2’ Phillipson Dry Fly Special (impregnated) with a Cortland 444 DT7. But I won’t know for sure until I get it on the water. The water being a big determining factor also.
Oh well. lots of fun just trying to figure this smallmouth fishing out!
Bob
It really depends on what you are fishing with. Big surface poppers and sliders and big streamers would infer an 8 wt. If you’re using smaller poppers and streamers (12 and under) I’d use a 6 wt. 5 wt is pushing it, but it’s doable.
Jim
Whose rod did you go with?
I’ve never fished in Texas before, but alot of anglers here in Michigan fish 5 wts and sometimes even 4 wts for smallmouth. If it comes down to either fishing with a 5 wt or not going fishing, you shouldn’t have to think twice. I’d suggest you go out with you 5 weight, have a good time, and if you decide to start fishing for smallmouth regularly, you can then decide what rod you’d like to add to your arsenal (if any).
If you only HAVE a 5 wt., use it, it will be just fine. I’d not buy another rod until you experience the fishing for yourself and ‘prove’ to YOURSELF that you are undergunned (not too likely).
If you want to throw heavier or more wind resistant flies, you can always use a heavier LINE…a 5 wt. rod will handle a 7 wt. line just fine, and you can push a pretty big fly into a stiff breeze with a 7 wt. line. I’d do this before buying another rod.
If you have a heavier rod, and the folks you are going fishing with think you’ll ‘need’ it, then take it too (they are probably wrong, only in a very few circumstances would a 5 wt. be too light for smallmouth-so take the 5 wt. regardless). A ‘big’ smallmouth most places is 3 pounds and five pounders can be had…still, that’s only a five pound fish, and while they pull harder than a trout, they don’t pull all that hard…a 5 wt. with 2x tippet can put a lot of pressure on a fish.
Remember there is no ‘ideal’ fly rod for smallmouth bass…there’s a place for 2-8 wts. depending on the flies and conditions. Kind of like golf, differetn ‘clubs’ for different tasks.
I prefer the 3 wt. for almost all of my smallie fishing…I use the 2 wt. a lot when it’s calm, and I’ll go to a 6 if it’s windy…I’ve NEVER seen a smallmouth I couldn’t land on 6 wt. rod…but I either fish from a boat or in very specific wadeable locations on a large lake…I can ALWAYS move closer to the fish and don’t have to even consider trying to cast a large fly a long way in a stiff wind…I’ll have four or five rods with me, either in the boat or in the truck close by, so if conditions change, I can adapt.
Good Luck!
Buddy
I will be the one to put you all in a conundrum. I use my 2wt for bass and my 8wt for gills. It is a little tough to throw a size 10 or larger bass bug with the 2wt but the 8wt lays out a nice size 22 midge dry. Go figure.
If you are comfortable with the 5wt then use it though if you are in some of the Texas stump waters a 6/7 would be a good choice too.
Like a lot have said, it depends on a few things.
How far do you need to cast? Longer is easier with heavier rods.
How large are the flies you will be throwing? Larger flies need heavier.
I fish for Smallies in small stream and use a six wt. If on a large river, out of a boat, I would not hesitate to take an 8wt rod. Especially if I wanted to throw large deer hair bugs, longer distances.
I would say 6-8 wt, depending on distance and fly size. But that does not rule out a 5 or 9 wt rods either.
AnglerDave…I went with a Sage DS2 7wt 9ft 4pc.
Are you fishing the Susquehanna? That rod would make sense there.
Jim
Jim…that’s the game plan…that and the lehigh river…Ed