lb test line

[Pieuvre]

I keep reading comments about using 50lb test line or more, at this point I think well 50lb test is as low as anybody uses around here no mater what there fishing. I have 40 spiderwire for pike and walley and 30 powerpro for bass. I got a new baitcaster this year with a great rod with lots of back bone to pull them larg bass out of the weed beds and I think 50lb test is overkill. what ever happen to finness and skill to bring in a larg fish. I still remember using 10 or 12 lb mono and getting bass out of weed and even a 17 lb pike on 8 lb test. Was a great battle and well thats is the part of fishing I think most people enjoy. Were all out for the big one arent we, the fight of a life time. I dont want to hook into my biggest Bass and be able to just yank him in like I do my anchor.

[BBRich]

I use 30lb Stealth (braid) on my flippin' stick and that's as high as I go. 15lb Stealth on smaller spinning combos and on my spinnerbait rod? Get this.... 14lb MONO! And it has no troubles bringing fish in, yes even around timber, weeds and pads. So I agree 50 might be a bit overkill with the exception of musky fishing.

[joco]

hi pieuvre.......

i got rods wite,,,,,,,4 pound and other wit 6 pound for crappies.

i got 3 rod for musky.....80,,80,,100 pound,plus 150 pound leaders.

walleye rods(3).......8..10..12.

flipping bass...50pound

and a cople 10 to 14pound line to all around rods....

so for my part i still used mono a lot..in smaller size,,,its a bit more chalenging, ,,i would say...but more dangerous off brakeoff.... ..


good topic pieuvre,,


joco

[jig head]

I think its mostly tournament anglers who will go into the high stuff. They dont want to take any chances in loosing the fish that can win them the tournament and lots of money. I have 50lb power pro on my flipping stick, and 20 pound test on all other

[Pieuvre]

I would expect to see it in a tournament yes for sure, But every time I read a post about what line to use. Its always 50lb plus, Its like most guys are trying to pull a boat off the bottom. I do a little overkill at time but I dont have a wide selection of rods, I dont use mono, I stick with spiderwire for the most part, Musky is a different type of fishing, its hard enough to get them to bite, no need to try and finnes one in like a pike or bass. But 50lb test for flipping scum frogs, some weeds are thick I agree, but are you guys looking to bring in a dead body or what..... I even checked what I put on my baitcasted last night after my post, 20lb, nothing more. so what if I loose a few fish, it could happen on 50lb, ITS PART OF THE SPORT !!!!!!!!!!!

[Blaker]

I agree its part of the sport. But when anglers go out they go out to catch fish not to miss them or lose them. They want to catch and hopefully release the fish after a great picture. It gives such a great feeling of fun and accomplishment. It's the same thing as changing or sharpening the hooks on a lure, adding scent, a stinger hook etc. It's what puts the best odds in the anglers favour to catch fish. The season for most species is so short and most anglers like myself cannot get out every day and when we do it's nice to get that big fish in. Just my opinion.

[ady]

Only got here 8 years ago and started out on 10lb mono for bass, soon learned - 30lb stealth now. For wallies I use 8lb Maxima fluro and 80lb Tuff XP for the muskie. I try to keep it a light as possible but remain realistic, the type of lure you use and where you fish dictate the line size. The 80lb for Muskie may sound overkill, but I'd hate to leave 10" of wood/plastic in a fish due to line break.

[muskymatt]

I don't like losing hooks and I believe a break off means a dead fish.
I still fight them as before , i don't crank down my drag because I can.
You can put lesser strenght line on but when you loose a few $$$$ on hooks you might choose otherwise.

Spinning and lighter rods 15lb
bass slop rods 30lb and 50 lb
muskie 80lb on all three

All pp

but I dont fish bass on my muskie rod , so the rod matches the fish , not the line

Matt

[FireFox]

I have the baitcasting rods spooled up with 50 lb PLine braid now. The diameter is the same as 12lb mono, and I find it great for flippin, wormin, frogs and general casting of bass baits. I guess the real truth is that I like the braided line since it can help cut through the weeds, it has zero stretch and it lasts much much longer than mono - I have fished for 2 seasons now without respooling and its still as good as when I first loaded it onto the reel. I dont get out on the water as much as I would like, but the braid has none of the memory loops that mono typically gets when it sits for a while on a reel. I tried the lighter braids on the baitcaster and found that they were _too_ thin - a birdsnest was a nightmare (not that I get many of those right ? ) and the line liked to dig in on itself on the spool. The slightly thicker line is easier to handle, it just happens to be overkill in the breaking strength dept.

Its not all in how strong the line is though - I think its much easier to loose a fish my horsing it in by having the hook pull out or having a smallie jump and spit the lure - just because the line isnt going to break doesnt mean that the fish has no chance.

It all comes down to personal preference - for example, I dont like braided lines on my spinning gear or when Im fishing clear/open water.

Fox

[Pieuvre]

I do not think 80 or 100lb is overkill for muskie, I just started fishing musky this year, and have only been out once, and what I hooked was barely an average size pike, was a good fight, short but nice. I do not loose very many fish, lost a big pike this year, probably 15 plus lb. and that was with 30lb spiderwire stealth. he would of broke off with 50 or 80 lb. It happens. Fishing with line that strong does not improve you skills, It improves you chances of landing that fish, but like so many of you say out there, ITS CALLED FISHING NOT CATCHING

[Mick]

i think it is totally dependant on what you are fishing

for the most part I am a walleye fisherman...jig and a minnow, crankbaits, bottom bouncing type rigs and I like 8 lb mono for that

but certain people on this board are making a bass fisherman out of me.....when I go bass fishing I find I am at a distinct disadvantage with my spinning gear and my 8 lb mono....it isn't rod backbone because i have plenty.......i just can't haul the largies out of the slop on my mono and heavier mono doesn't cut it......I have purchased 30 lb braided line, power pro, and am awaiting my next invite to get out bass/pike fishing.......30lb braided on a baitcaster and a med heavy rod is i think a minimum to fish bass in the slop......mind you i am just getting started on that but i watch others yank them out with that while i struggle to get a 2 lber out of it with my spinning gear and 8 lb mono