I'll join in with those urging caution about the Rio smallmouth line. The one I had turned into a checked, cracked mess in under 100 hours of use. Actually, this has been my experience with most Rio lines. I don't buy them anymore. My main SMB lines are an SA Titan and an Orvis Hydros Warmwater. Since SA belongs to Orvis, these two lines are likely the same give or take a dye bath or two. I also fish a Cortland 333, which is a bargain and perfectly fine for this kind of fishing. All these lines are WF7F
I need help with smallmouth fly line..
- Thread starter Redfin
- Start date
Here's a vote for Rio SMB. Effortless distance but I tried it on 2 different rods before I came to that conclusion. SA bass big line is also excellent. I've used that for nymphing from the boat. Has enough mass to turnover indi and 2 big tungsten nymphs.
I guess the bottom line is how far will you be casting? How important is the mendability of the line and how high floating? STP has airflo power taper and universal taper for <$60. The also had aircel bass for <$20.
I guess the bottom line is how far will you be casting? How important is the mendability of the line and how high floating? STP has airflo power taper and universal taper for <$60. The also had aircel bass for <$20.
First recommendation can you go to that fly shop and see if they have any demo lines you can use? Cause I would not recommend the mpx u less using generally small and lighter flies (which are not my go to for bass).
SA Titan long is a great smallmouth line as is the SA bass bug. They are the same taper but different coating/core so the Titan long is better for not the hot/sticky time of year and the bass bug is great when it’s hot (July August and some of sept).
The orvis bass bug is actually a decent middle ground line for me and I use the true to size line (ie and 8wt line on 8wt rod) for my slower bass rods.
SA Titan long is a great smallmouth line as is the SA bass bug. They are the same taper but different coating/core so the Titan long is better for not the hot/sticky time of year and the bass bug is great when it’s hot (July August and some of sept).
The orvis bass bug is actually a decent middle ground line for me and I use the true to size line (ie and 8wt line on 8wt rod) for my slower bass rods.
Redfin
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Thanks.
Funny you mention that. I have done a lot of researching and that is exact hooks I ordered. I got packs in 6, 4 and a few #2. Gamy B10s. They are nice hooks. I think they will be perfect.
Redfin
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- Jan 31, 2017
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Thank you.
What do you consider smaller and lighter flies for bass?
Those that are more typical trout flies. Like smaller buggers, small clousers, bead chain eyes flies, even some small foam poppers and gurglers. More like sz4 ish flies. I even tried playing the game of upsizing an mpx line and it didn’t work great.
If you start fishing bigger flies like sz1 or 2 clousers or half and half’s, deceivers or crayfish flies (think flies with med lead eyes or even bigger if you go that route), those lighter fly lines get worked over and it’s harder to make the cast and to me are less enjoyable. Same with bigger poppers especially with any wind.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if something like the SA air cell bass line working well too and is a decent and cheap low barrier to entry line.
If you start fishing bigger flies like sz1 or 2 clousers or half and half’s, deceivers or crayfish flies (think flies with med lead eyes or even bigger if you go that route), those lighter fly lines get worked over and it’s harder to make the cast and to me are less enjoyable. Same with bigger poppers especially with any wind.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if something like the SA air cell bass line working well too and is a decent and cheap low barrier to entry line.
