Quote Originally Posted by Tom 513 View Post
Alpha, if You are using 2# line for 20" smb You are a patient man. Although lately I am using lighter and lighter line too, I just like the way 4# mono cast in comparison to say 8#. I use 4# Vicious Hi Vis mono on most my Crappie poles including the spider rig poles and land 8 to 10# Channels often. You know it may sound odd but I like catching smaller fish in My local creeks as much as big slabs from the lakes, I like the super lines such as Nanofil and Fireline for gils, pumpkin seeds, creek chubs etc.. Also the best fisherman I know has assured me that fish are not line shy, which I do believe, actually the only time I waist money on fluorocarbon line is on My flypole when I'm trout fishing and thats mainly because of the price of having to replace the tippet to often.
Let me explain how it came about using 2# test for Smallies. I love fishing for bluegills. While using a Trout Magnet at Center Hill Lake for Gills I started catching a lot of Smallies. The same thing happened at Pickwick. This all started about 7 years ago...or more. When fishing for them from the bank I would lose a few each time out as they would pull the line across the rocks heading for deep water and many times it would cut. I started kayak fishing about 5 years ago and got back into boating last fall. The Smallies just pull me out to deeper water now. I lose very few.....and most losses are from the hook pulling out and not line breakage. I always use a fluro leader when using any NanoFil as it has no abrasion resistance....and I always use a fluro leader for trout no matter the main line I am using. While I catch a lot of Smallies....KY bass...white bass, and trout on 2# test line, I would just as soon catch 9 inch Gills all day...or crappie. I just enjoy catching fish using UL gear.

Regards