Rio Elite Smallmouth Bass Fly Line

Feisty, aggressive, and downright tough, smallmouth bass are one of the most enjoyable species you can target with a fly, and whether you’re stripping Clousers on the Susquehanna River or working poppers in spring on a lake, Rio has designed the perfect bronzeback line with their Elite Smallmouth Bass Line. Designed to give complete control over your presentation while maintaining all of the power you need to deliver chunky streamers and air-resistant bass bugs, Rio makes this line with a long 28’ handling section and a powerful front taper–think of this configuration as what lets you rip out that 75’ cast without sacrificing accuracy. And while accuracy and distance can be critical to success, so can a proper strip-set when a fish wrecks your fly, which is exactly why Rio integrates their low stretch DirectCore technology into this line, ensuring that you never miss a strike. The Elite Warmwater Predator Line is made in weights 6 through 8, giving the perfect range for smallmouth bass fisheries and it’s built to withstand temperatures ranging from the heat of summer all the way to the first frost of fall, giving all of the versatility that you need to enjoy these excellent fish. 

Features

SlickCast, DirectCore, and SureFire - With their DirecetCore technology, Rio prevents this line from stretching, which is an essential component when fishing for predatory fish that require you to strip-set nice and hard for consistent and clean hook setting. Rio also utilizes their SureFire technology in this line, giving it three different colors that provide ease of accuracy and precision, while also making it simple to plan the distance of your cast when you need to make fast shots out of a drifting boat or to fish on the move. 

Uses

Poppers, Streamers, and Nymphs - With a powerful taper, Rio designs their Elite Smallmouth Bass Line for presenting streamers and poppers of nearly any size. Whether you’re throwing something heavy like a Clouser or something air-resistant like a Dahlberg Diver, this line lets you cast them all with ease, and whenever the fish get finicky and you need to roll a large nymph on the bottom, this line will make that presentation just fine. 

Temp

Warm/Cold - Rio designed their Elite Smallmouth Bass series around water temp versatility, so this line can handle those hot summer days just as well as those cold early spring mornings. This rating will encompass nearly every smallmouth bass situation you find yourself in, and its slick coating makes for smooth casting and ease of straightening when needed. 

Taper/Weight

More Mass Towards the Head - Built to accurately throw anything from large poppers to heavy streamers, Rio makes this line with a taper that focuses the mass towards the front of the head. This taper makes loading rods nice and efficient, while its long handling section ensures that accuracy and complete control over distance is right at your fingertips. 

More Info 

Best for: Warmwater, Smallmouth/Largemouth Bass

Loops: Front Loop (Leader to Fly Line Connection) and Back Loop (Backing to Fly Line Connection)

Sinking/Floating: Full floating

Other Resources

2020 Tropical Saltwater Fly Line Shootout & Buyer's Guide

Fly Line Temps: Tropical Vs. Coldwater

Freshwater Fly Line Shootout & Buyer's Guide