Although generally smaller than largemouth, smallmouth bass are a lot of fun to catch. They are aggressive, and put up a great fight. You can use lighter fishing line than you would use for largemouth, but don’t go too light.
Quick Look
- 8 to 12 lb. Test
- Best: Fluorocarbon
- Good: Monofilament
- Also Good: 15 to 30 lb. Test Braid
- Leader: 8 lb. Test Fluorocarbon
Fluorocarbon Fishing Line For Smallmouth Bass
Fluorocarbon makes a great fishing line for smallmouth bass. Since smallmouth are usually found around rocky areas, you need a line that can hold up to a lot of abrasion. Fluorocarbon is known for it’s superior abrasion resistance.
Another quality of fluorocarbon is that it is much less visible underwater than monofilament is. Smallmouth aren’t very line shy so it may not make a huge difference, but sometimes a small detail like that can get a couple extra fish to the boat.
The down side to fluorocarbon is that it costs more than monofilament. And honestly, you can still catch plenty of smallmouth on mono. It’s really up to you if the abrasion resistance is worth it.
What lb. Test Fishing Line For Smallmouth Bass?
When targeting smallmouth bass, use 8 to 12 lb. test mono or fluorocarbon. This will be strong enough to reel in any smallmouth, and give extra strength to hold up against abrasion.
If you know you are only going to be catching smallmouth under 1 pound, then you can get away with 4 to 6 lb. test line. This is common in smaller rivers and creeks, where there isn’t enough food to grow big smallmouth.
What Leader Material For Smallmouth Bass?
The best leader material for smallmouth bass is fluorocarbon. Specifically around 8 lb. test. Fluorocarbon leaders have good abrasion resistance as well as less visibility.
Since smallmouth bass usually hang around rocks, logs and other debris, it is important to pay attention to your leader. Check for any abrasion and weak spots after catching a fish, or getting off a snag.
Can You Catch Smallmouth With Monofilament?
Monofilament fishing line is a good option to use for smallmouth bass. It’s not as abrasion resistant as fluorocarbon, but it is cheaper and works almost as good.
If your reel is already spooled up with 8 to 12 lb. test monofilament, then you are ready to go. But if you are looking for new line, then consider fluorocarbon over mono. It does cost more for only a slight benefit, so it is up to you in the end.
Monofilament comes in a variety of colors. I recommend finding a color that will blend in well with the water you usually fish. One of my favorite monofilament lines is Maxima Ultragreen.
Can You Catch Smallmouth With Braid?
Braided fishing line makes a good main line for smallmouth, but you should consider using a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader material.
You could use braid straight to your hook and not have a leader. However, you will generally catch more fish and have less difficulty tying and cutting knots if you use a fluoro or mono.
When I fish with braid I always tie on 4 to 5 feet of fluoro or mono to use as my leader. Just make sure you use a low profile knot like the Uni knot which will slide smoothly through your guides.
One of the big benefits of using a braided main line for smallmouth, is that you have a lot more sensitivity. Braided line doesn’t stretch, so everything that is happening with your bait is directly transferred to your rod. This can help you detect bites and get better timed hook sets.
