what rod do you use for smallmouth fishing? 2024

bigfruits reply :

what's your favorite rod for smallmouth fishing? im looking for suggestions for something to throw tubes, 1/8 oz jigs and small soft plastics with. looking for brands and model numbers.

thanks

-z

MichBassMan reply :

I use several, but my fav is a 6' 3" St.Croix Avid med extra fast with a 2500 symetre spooled with mint green Yo-Zuri ulta soft #6.

ultralightning88 reply :

i been using a falcon original series, 6ft medium light. And its been doing good.

jesse-c reply :

i use a 6'6 medium fast G-Blank Rod. They are custom made by a fella down in Oklahoma and they rock. They are the same as a G-Loomis GLX but the g-blanks are only 125. I know to some that sounds steep but its a super sweet rod for the money.

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote
i use a 6'6 medium fast G-Blank Rod. They are custom made by a fella down in Oklahoma and they rock. They are the same as a G-Loomis GLX but the g-blanks are only 125. I know to some that sounds steep but its a super sweet rod for the money.

Same as a loomis glx?????????????????????????

Do you have any data or proof to back that statement up ?

The g-blanks are a nice cheap rod but I don't think they are in the same class as a G-loomis glx. JMHO.

smallmouthbeginner reply :

believe it or not, i use an ultra light. The smallies where i fish usually are not over 3 pounds so its real fun to catch em with a small rod. I usually fish tubes with a 1/8 ounce head on em, either that or gary yamamotos. I use a 5 foot 6 ugly stik with a small as hell south bend reel.

bigfruits reply :

Quote
believe it or not, i use an ultra light. The smallies where i fish usually are not over 3 pounds so its real fun to catch em with a small rod. I usually fish tubes with a 1/8 ounce head on em, either that or gary yamamotos. I use a 5 foot 6 ugly stik with a small as hell south bend reel.

i like fishing with light tackle as well. right now im using an avid 6'3" ml extra fast. i think theres too much current in the rivers i go to to use an ultra light but i can imagine how fun it must be to bring in a 3lb smallie on one.

Jig Man reply :

I have 2 favorites for tubes for smallmouth; 1. Gloomis IMX SJR 782 and St. Croix Avid 6.6 MF spinning rod.

roadwarrior reply :

I would recommend 6 1/2 or 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action spinning tackle. For the applications you mentioned, I fish a St. Croix ES70MF/ Stella 2500FB and Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6. My favorite smallmouth rig for other applications is a G.Loomis GLX PR844S/ Stella 2500FB and Ultra Soft #4.

For hard baits, particularly for jerkbaits and topwater, St. Croix Avid AC66MF with a soft tip. Mine is matched with a Shimano Metanium/ Ultra Soft #12.

8-)

Crestliner2008 reply :

You really need more than just one rod to accomplish the tasks you need to deal with smallies. A light to medium light action for drop shotting with 6# test line and a medium action for tubes & jerkbaits with 8# test. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars on a rod either; BPS makes a decent line-up of rods which will put a lot of fish in your boat - and on a budget.

jesse-c reply :

Quote

Quote
i use a 6'6 medium fast G-Blank Rod. They are custom made by a fella down in Oklahoma and they rock. They are the same as a G-Loomis GLX but the g-blanks are only 125. I know to some that sounds steep but its a super sweet rod for the money.

Same as a loomis glx?????????????????????????

Do you have any data or proof to back that statement up ?

The g-blanks are a nice cheap rod but I don't think they are in the same class as a G-loomis glx. JMHO.

Larry Mitchell buys his blanks straight from Shimano and wraps them himself. since he buys in bulk he gets them at a cheap rate. When you buy a loomis mostly all you are buying is the brand name. Use a loomis and then put the same model of g-blank in your hand and you wont tell the difference. I have owned both and i sold my loomis's on ebay to buy twice as many gblanks.

mogin hunter reply :

I think alot is personal preference ,but I go with a G-Loomis GL3 7ft medium action with a Quantum pt spinning reel with 8lb line .The rod and action are up to you and the cost of such blanks and combos is up to you, buy the best you can afford and leave it at that the fish don't see the rod or reel it is what you are comfortable with .

brittlab reply :

6'6" MLF avid

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
When you buy a loomis mostly all you are buying is the brand name. Use a loomis and then put the same model of g-blank in your hand and you wont tell the difference.

Well, I'm glad you like your G-Blanks. Everyone likes to compare

their favorite rod to G-Loomis and most people think their's is as

good or better. It seems to me that G. Loomis is the standard by

which all others are measured. They are definitely different rods

with proprietary blanks. G. Loomis is much more than just a name,

it's a reputation built over a period of decades.

My favorite spinning rod and the one I use most often for smallmouth

fishing is a GLX PR844S. This rod is remarkable. Designed for light

saltwater, popping and live bait, it's the perfect fit for me.

Smallie4130 reply :

I just picked up a 7ft MLF st. croix with a pflueger supreme reel recently and before that I was fishing a 6'6" Bionix MF with a Sonora 2500. Both have been great hitting the smallies but the new setup definitely feels better.

fretfishman reply :

i have 2 rods that cover my smallie needs. 7'6" mh casting (st. croix) with 12# copolymer (p-line) and 6'6" M spinning (pflueger) with 10# big game or flouro (p-line).

allows me to throw the super light stuff and the heaviest swimbaits and jigs I'd need to throw for smallies. sometimes I bump the spinning rod's line down to 6# flouro for fishing open water structure.

rebar reply :

G-blanks rods are made from Rainshadow blanks from Batson Enterprises. I have a 6'9" med. fast casting with revolver guides. I looked mine up and they made it from a spinning rod blank. It is called a RX7 graphite blank whatever that is. They ain't talkin, I asked. They just didn't answer my emails. With that being said, it is an awesome rod. I find myself picking it up, specially when I get tired cause it's so light. I have a Shimano Chronarch MG 51 on it and it is effortless to fish with. It is very sensitive but is a little light in my view for soft plastics, however I plan on using it for dropshotting and see what happens. I usually use a med. light for stream smallies and it will fill that place nicely. I will probly buy another one in a Med Heavy casting with regular guides in the future. I would say it's as sensitive as my St Croix Avid maybe. Larry Mitchell just sells them, a guy named George Blancas makes them. Larry usually has some for sale on Ebay or you can go to their website. I can't remember the name of the site, I will have to look it up and get back. lp

I looked it up, it's imaginationbassin.com They have a guide service on an awesome lake in Florida also.

BTW, I've been using a Allstar shrimptail special with about 4" cut off to match the action I wanted with the handle I wanted. Don't laugh, it works! I think it was around 6'9" to start with, could have been 7'. I have a Calcutta CT51 on it. I can fish from 6# to 12# fairly good on it. This is for stream smallies, I've found for me that a stiff rod makes me lose to many fish, gives them something to pull against I guess. I nearly always have a medium action rod with me if I need to fish T-rigs for them. My favorite lures for the light rod is about 100 different top water baits and 4" c.t. grubs on a plain jig.

Masshole Mike reply :

i mainly use my 6'6" MF fenwick eagle gt/pflueger president spinning setup for tubes, soft plastics, jerk baits and drop shotting. i also bring along my 6'9" MHF fenwick elite tech pitchin stik/revo sx for throwing hair jigs.

Bass Pro reply :

G Loomis BCR802 GLX is the ultimate smallmouth rod.

Dan: reply :

I used to use an Avid 7' ML F with a Stradic FH2500. Today I just got it replaced with a St Croix Legend Tournament Bass 7' MF (the tube rod) I haven't used it yet but I can't wait...

Ultraman reply :

st croix legend tournament bass 6'9 ml xf (dropshot) with a sahara 2500

very very sensitive and i just love this rod

Doc Smallie reply :

I use a Megabass F2-62XS Full House, 3-11 lbs., 1/16-1/4 oz., fast action, with 8 lb. fluorocarbon. It's unbelievably sensitive and just loads of fun to fish with. When I'm not using that I fish with the G. Loomis SMR822S-SP-GLX.

Joe Boss reply :

My favorite 2 set-ups for Smallmouth fishing are my 6'6" ML St Croix Premier which I pair up with a Pflueger President 6730 spooled with 100 yds of 8lb line. And my 6'6" M St Croix Triumph paired with a Daiwa Capricorn. I have 2 spools for that reel one with 8lb line and the other with 10lb line.

J Francho reply :

It depends on where I'm fishing, how deep, clarity, and what bait, not unlike largemouth fishing. There are just too many options to list them all, but in general terms, I like a med/moderate BC for dragging big tubes, but I also use a MH/fast spinning rig for hopping or swimming them or lighter/smaller tubes. Drop shot in deep water requires a med/x-fast spinning gear. I use a shorter, 6' med/fast casting rod for slashbaits and topwaters, since I am not too tall. Basically, I don't have a "smallie rod" but just match the gear to conditions. For spinnerbaits, I use the same rod I'd use for largemouth. Same for things like jigs. About the only exception to this is when I rarely float 'n fly. For that I use a 9'6" med/moderate spinning rod meant for steelhead. Living on the Lake Ontario requires some for thought to line choice, as the zebes will eat up you braid.

lineman711 reply :

When fishing for smallmouth, I'm almost always in small rivers. Tubes and Senkos are used most, with the occasional Rapala floating minnow and at times topwater. I use a Loomis GL2 6' Medium Power/Fast action spinning rod paired with a Symetre 2500 spooled with Excel 6lb test in green. Seems to be pretty good at every style of fishing I do. Not the most expensive or refined setup, but I got a great deal on the combo and couldn't pass it up. I'm actually impressed with it and it will work fine for me until i get a few more raises at work and can get an IMX or GLX. I'm not usually a brand name follower, but I've seen G Loomis stand behind their rods 100%. My cousin sent his back after breaking it in my truck door with a note explaining exactly what happened, they replaced it free of charge less shipping. Depending on your budget, I would suggest taking a look at a GL2. They can be had for less that $100, and although you don't hear much about them on here, I think they are a great rod in their price range, much better than my similarly priced All Star rods.

ww2farmer reply :

I have 2 go to Smallmouth techniques which I use on Erie. Drop shotting and tube dragging.

For Dropshotting I use a St Croix Avid AS70MLF, w/ a Pflueger Supreme 8030MG spooled w/6lb Trilene 100% Flurocarbon.

For tube dragging, an Avid AS70MF, w/ a Pflueger Supreme 8035MG and 8lb Trilene 100% Fluro.

Jig Thrower reply :

call me crazy but i use a baitcaster with a medium heavy rod i cant use a spinning reel setup i became too used to baitcasters and they work great for me

jack1 reply :

I'm using a 7'2" Shimao Cumara rod with a Shimano Stradic 2500, spooled with 20 lb Power Pro. Great setup for me for tossing tubes and other light lures.

redskinsfan360 reply :

6' 3" G-Loomis Bronzeback with a Abu Garcia Cardinal. One spool with 30lb braid and another with 10lb P-Line fluoro.

SissySticks reply :

I use a 6'4" G-blanks Light/Fast tennessee handle w/ a Cardinal 401 and 6lb. BPS Excel Green. I use it to throw 1/16 oz. tubes, 1/32 oz. finesse worms, etc. I also use a 6'6" Rapala Tournament series MF w/ a Cardinal 252 and 8lb. excel to throw dingers, 1/8 oz. jigs, topwater. I mostly use jighead baits for smallies.

justfishin reply :

Without going into rod brands I will suggest some actions. I have to agree with RW though, in my opinion a rod that is 6'6"-7' and in a medium power with a fast action is my choice. I like a spinning rod for tubes to be rated as medium fast action with a line rating of 8-17lb test or 6-15lb test. I tend to lean more and more to the 7' rod the last few years. I mostly use Gator Rods and All Stars. Its funny how things change. I always used 6' rods in the older days but my preferances have changed. There are times along the bank in the eddy's a 6'er is better but, in open water on channels and points where it tends to be deeper I think a longer fast action rod gets you a better hookset. My opinion mind ya. Use what feels the most comfortable to you is the real way to judge a rod.

285xl reply :

i use a G.Loomis 6'8" bronzeback spinning rod with a Shimano Sahara 2500 reel with suffix 8lb mono.

BARON49_Northern NY reply :

I use the same rods and reels I use for fishing Largemouths. Here in my area of Lake Ontario the Smallmouths are running bigger then the Largemouths and we are catching them in the same areas.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
I use the same rods and reels I use for fishing Largemouths. Here in my area of Lake Ontario the Smallmouths are running bigger then the Largemouths and we are catching them in the same areas.

Too cool...

If I had your choices, I wouldn't waste an hour hunting green fish!

U.W BronzeBack Hunter reply :

BPS Bionic Blade 6'6" (trigger)

BPS Johnny Morris Sig. (spinning)

In the future, i'm planning on getting myself a G Loomis (trigger). Maybe once spring time and once i have enough money saved for it.

fishin hole reply :

Last year I used a St Croix LTB 6'9" Drop Shot Rod and a Daiwa Pixy Reel spooled with Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon and 3 1/2" tubes. I really love this combo.

jack1 reply :

I love my Shimano Cumara CUS72M spinning rod with a Shimano Stradic 2500 for tubes. Light, sensitive, and a strong back to get a good hook set. Simply awesome!

BARON49_Northern NY reply :

Quote

Quote
I use the same rods and reels I use for fishing Largemouths. Here in my area of Lake Ontario the Smallmouths are running bigger then the Largemouths and we are catching them in the same areas.

Too cool...

If I had your choices, I wouldn't waste an hour hunting green fish!

The exception to this rule is dropshotting. Just started fishing with it the past couple years using a St. Croix 6'9'' dropshot rod and have had a blast hooking up with big smallies with this light tackle. Also last year picked up a St. Croiz 6'8'' M XF and started wacky jigging with it. Lots of fun!

WV_Eagle reply :

6"6" Browning Midas med spinning with a Daiwa Regal XiA 2500 and 10 lb Power Pro braid.

7" Rapala Tournament series med spinning with a Mitchell Avocet 2500 and 10 lb crystal braid.

5"6" Ugly Stik Light M/L with a Pfleuger President 6730 and 8lb braid (the most fun!)

(updated)

mackkie reply :

The 5'6 ugly stick is fun! What do you throw for lures with it mostly?

WV_Eagle reply :

All kinds of stuff with the Ugly Stick...inline spinners, tubes, Gulp! minnows...whatever is working!

And if the smallies aren't biting, I can always have some fun with panfish... I'm not proud..

OIFBasser reply :

I fish out of a kayak, so I prefer a longer rod for smallies

I use a 7'6" ML Avid, and a 6'8" MXF Avid both with symetre 2500's

6lb trilene maxx, 10lb. mean green

Bronzefly reply :

I like my Loomis BSR 852 GLX - it's super sensitive and a blast to catch smallies on. I also really love my SJR 722 GLX, too!

kevin07 reply :

A like BPS's Extreme spinning rod, it is a fairly light rod with good sensitivity and its not to expensive($100) when it goes on sale you can get it for 60 which is a steal. I use the 6' light action its great for tubes, t-rigs and jigs.

thetr20one reply :

I don't use any specific rod for smallies. I use specific rods for certain baits. Would I change out a rod to fish a crankbait to target smallies over largemouth? No. The same applies to any other technique. And I know I will get some heat for this but G.Loomis rods are good but not worth the coin they ask for them. There are other rods with similar characteristics with more comfortable handles, better guides, etc. for less. And I think technique specific is very important but, bass species specific is a complete gimmick used by G.Loomis. I would buy a Johnny Morris Elite Series or Browning Midas over a G.Loomis ANY DAY!

Ern reply :

For me it depends more on what type of water. I love stream smallmouth fishing. And depended on what section of water I am fishing is to what I will be toting.

If I know that an area has an abundance of rock bass and smaller smallmouth say under two pounds I will be tossing an ultra light. Moderate action on this rod to protect the line too. A 5' rod and a good reel with a great drag. I spool this one with 4 lb line. The same rod sees duty on trout waters.

If I move up to a section where the the fish are a little bigger and I could be throwing bigger stuff at smallies in the 1- 3 lb range I like my 6' rod. Light power and Fast action on this rod. I use a 2000/2500 size reel on this one. Mine has a 6.0:1 ratio. Combined this with 6lb line. The larger reel gives me speed in current, wieghs roughly the same as a smaller reel, and spools enough line for the entire day.

Now if a trophy stream smallmouth is the target, say 5lb plus, I have learned to leave the light stuff in the vehicle. I carry a Medium power fast action rod. Something 6'(personal favorite) to 7'. Baitcaster on this one and the high speed gears (7:1) are nice. I spool this one with 10lb high impact abrasion resistant line as minumum. As summer comes in and the weeds get thick the line goes up. Pulling a 5 lb smallie through heavy weeds in current is all brawn.

ripalip reply :

When it comes to smallies, I like using the lightest tackle possible. 4lb flouro on a 9ft noodle rod makes for some real fun. And as long as my drag is set just right, I rarely have breakoffs. Unfortunatly, the only baits I can use on such a setup are smaller plastics, like tubes, texas rig craws, etc.

SmallieFever reply :

I doubt many have even heard of B&R Outlaw Rods, but they are certainly worth a look...especially at $130. That was my primary rod for tubes last year in 6'6" med/fast with Quantum E30PTi-A. The B&R is quite light and Sensitive with great backbone and is IMHO probably the best bang for the buck out there. It was rumored that an ex designer from G-Loomis joined up with B&R to create their awesome blanks. Check em out on the web. Last week I ordered the St. Croix Legend Tournament 7' Tube model because of all the great reviews on this line of rods. Not sure on what reel to match it up with at this point. But anyways best of luck! Hope you find a rod that suites you

Here is a couple pics... 5lb LM and my buddy with a nice smallie on our 6'6" Med/fast B&R's. also another 3lb+ Sm from same day, same rod. all on tubes.

fishnjohn reply :

One of my favorite rods I have is a Shimano Compre, 6'-6" medium action cost $90.00 I use a Shimano Symetry 2500 reel cost $80.00 this is a very good setup. And the Shimano rod has a lifetime guarantee. For the price and warranty this is the best thing on the market.

bassin46lbsmallies reply :

I throw st croix legend touny 6 8 finesse, for tubes 1/4 or heavier, the new shimanio cumara 7 2 med xtra fast for anything lighter, has anybody used the drop shot special carrot stix ?

Fish Chris reply :

I use a 6 1/2ft medium action, 6-15 lb test, spinning rod, for most of my Smallie fishing.

But I love throwing tiny live dads or night crawlers on my 6ft G Loomis SR720. They are the only company who makes a 6ft, 1 piece rod, rated for 1 to 4 lb test ! Talk about light ! But being 6ft, it helps to put a weightless crawler, or tiny live dad way out there.

Of course the size of the rod has "nothing" to do with the size of the fish :-) Remember this one I caught on my micro-light ?

Should be able to land any Smallie I hook on it ;-)

Peace,

Fish

MitchIsFishin reply :

St.Croix Premier PS60LF (shoulda got the 6'6"), Symetre 1500 with Yozuri Hybrid 6lb.

Chris, what is that monster fish? Gonna give me nightmares!

roadwarrior reply :

Sturgeon

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon

8-)

TonyD2001 reply :

Depends on where I'm fishing.

For small streams and ponds I have a 6'6" Berkely cherrywood rod with a Abu Garcia Cardinal reel and 6# mono.

For the larger rivers near me I have a new 7' Pfluger 6740 that i just purchased and I'm thinking of spooling it up with Power Pro 30/8. Probably a little overkill but the river is fast and I'm tired of losing tackle.

MitchIsFishin reply :

Kent, that looks like a small ship!

Seriously, heard of them, never saw one.

bugman reply :

Quote
I would recommend 6 1/2 or 7' Medium Power/ Fast Action spinning tackle. For the applications you mentioned, I fish a St. Croix ES70MF/ Stella 2500FB and Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6. My favorite smallmouth rig for other applications is a G.Loomis GLX PR844S/ Stella 2500FB and Ultra Soft #4.
I just bought a 7' St. Croix Avid AS70MF for tubes & grubs. I'll match it with a Diawa Terra 3000 spooled with Yo-Zuri Ultra Sofe #8. I'm a big Shimano guy for bait casters but have switched to Diawa for spinning reels.

8-)

Tokyo Tony reply :

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20080407/pen-fishing-rod/

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