Smallmouth Rod.

[Jeff Yencha]

Since July 1, the smallmouth fishing has been very good on my local river, the Susquehanna.  Fishing typically consists of  lots of stream fishing, some poppers, and the late evening/night time dry fly action with the white flies. 

I'm currently fishing a Scott 10 foot 6 weight.  It's perfect for fighting river smallies.  The smallies run 10-16 inches on average.  With the 18 or 20 incher thrown in to make your stomach feel all funny.  Also, you sometimes end up tangling with a nice channel cat during the white fly spinner fall.  My Scott is excellent for the dry flies and small poppers.  Sometimes it can get laborious long tossing big heavy streamer and buggers for 5 hours.

So I have a couple questions.
1) Is there a 6wt line that can make my streamer fishing easier?
2) How much would upgrading to a 7wt help my situation?
3) If there are other smallmouth fishermen out there, what's your set up?

I guess I'm looking for the optimum river smallmouth setup and asking for suggestions.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Jeff Yencha]

Sorry I think I posted this under the wrong board. 

[Nick Naclerio]

My go to smallie setup has been my Greys GRXI+ 9' 6wt. (IMO best rod for under $200) I use a WF 6wt floater for most of my fishing and I have a 200 grain SA Streamer Express line for streamers. The rod handles the 200 grain line with no problem. I've used my 8wt to fish for smallie before and the biggest difference is casting big poppers and such is a breeze. Fighting smallies on the 6wt is way more fun though and lets face it thats what smallie fishing is all about. I usually only bring out the 8wt if its going to be really windy.

[John Killinger]

What part or section of the susquehanna were you fishing? Must be the upper part, the lower part is devoid of fish.

[Craig Whaley]

rio clouser line helps big time for casting oversized flies

[Jeff Yencha]

What part or section of the susquehanna were you fishing? Must be the upper part, the lower part is devoid of fish.

Towanda to Wilkes Barre.

[Reid Bacon]

I'm a huge fan of the tfo clouser series.  I got the 8wt. to battle pike and big large mouth.  That rod will hurl just about anything with ease.  I have caught some good size smallies on it, but it seems a little overkill for less than gnarley smallmouth.  I would go with the 6wt for smallies it's just a bit more white knuckle style.  I have tried the sage rods but liked the tfo action a bit more a little slower and just as accurate.  Plus the extra length helps in the kayak.  I plan on getting the 6 wt. soon, but until then I'm using a loop aeg 9'6" 6wt. for river smallies when there is limited pike probability.  I also use a lamson velocity on both rods.  I can't get enough of that reel.  I echo the rio clouser line it is nasty and there is no need to over line with deer hair poppers with the tfo or sage bass rod actions.

[Tim Long]

There will be no talking about warmwater fish. (I love smallmouth and carp)

[Tim Long]

http://www.flyfishohio.com/Piscatorial_Opportunity.htm

Only the brave should read this article.

[Torrey Collins]

A 9' #7 rod would throw bigger flies better and be less tiring to cast.  As mentioned above, the Rio Clouser line is great for throwing bigger/heavier/bulkier/wind-resistant flies.  A #7 is the do-all rod for Smallmouth.  And for throwing poppers  and other highly wind-resistant and/or large flies on a big river like that, a #8 could be better at moments.  A 9' or 9 1/2'  rod will be less tiring for all day casting with bigger flies.  The TFO 9' #7 TiCr is one of the best casting 7 weights I've had in my hand, comparable in performance (but not looks, Lol) to high end rods from Sage and others, but retails for the low $200 range.  My 2 cents.

[Robert Jordan]

my weapon of choice:

http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=28TL_B&dir_id=758&group_id=759&cat_id=14816&subcat_id=7015

A good smallie rod with a 25 year warranty for about 200 bucks.  It is a tip flex and very fast throws big/heavy/bulky flies very well