Fishing Forum

Full Version: what pound test do you prefer
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
leave out salmon, steelhead and sturgeon. if you could use only one pound test line what would you choose.
[signature]
even though im using 6lbs right now im finding i dont care for it much due to it just doesnt have the strength that i need
[signature]
If I could only use 1 it would be 8# . I sure am glad I don't have to use only one . In clear water with very few snags I use 6# . Trolling Popgear 14# to the gear 8# to the worm . Curt G.
[signature]
I have a small pole for creek fishing with 4# on it, and I usually use that everywhere else too. I like being able to have a worm without any sinkers and still get it to cast out a good distance, get a lure on there and you can outcast nearly anything else, just set the drag good.

I also have one with 6# and 8#, and some 20# spiderwire, but I haven't fished many places where I get big fish that require it. When we are using a boat to troll more consistently I will have heavier line on there.
[signature]
I'll go with 8#.
[signature]
I use the same as curt: 8 lb for overall, and 6 lb for the areas that are snag-less.
[signature]
If just one all purpose fishing pole I would use 8lb fluorocarbon
[signature]
Stren 4lb test on my ultra light is all I ever use unless fishing for the big dogs. I have never broke off on a fish either. I have caught up to 8 lbers and never had a problem. It's all in the drag. A good reel helps too.
[signature]
Limiting myself to one test line would be like limiting myself to one species of fish or one body of water. [:/] There ain't no way I'm doing that.

Having said that, I like 2 to 4 # for stream trout and crappie, 6 to 8# for smallmouth bass and most reserviors, 10 to 12# for largemouths and most catfish. I have two heavy rods we use for bigger cats (mainly the Snake River) and keep both spooled with something between 17 and 25#.

New question ...

If you could fish only one species in one body of water on one particular day of the year, what fish, what water and what day? [Wink]
[signature]
Sarge that is thread hijacking.
I like 10 pound braid on my Ultra light with an 8 or 10 pound floracarbon "spelling" leader. My medium has either 15 or 20 pound braid with the same leader. Ron
[signature]
stren 10lb works for everything. bass trout cats carp and crappie. good drag and sensitive pole will catch them all
[signature]
Stren 10 for smallmouth (great abrasion resistance for fishing in the rocks)

4 lb on my utralights and

Stren 12 - 15 lb for steelhead and yanking Largemouth out of the weeds and trees at Lake Lowell
[signature]
If I could have only one it would be 8lb P-Line

Windriver
[signature]
6 pound cause i am inbetween for crappie i use 4 pound trilean xl smooth casting and for bass i will wind on about 50-80 yrds of trilean xl smooth casting 10 -14 pound and about a spool of berkly crystal clear fireline for bass/pike in 10 or 14 pound test. you can't have just one line if you do go with 6 pound test. in something that cast great and does not have memory. you should be fine.
[signature]
Ron, I wasn't really serious about the questions and did not mean to hi-jack the thread. I was simply trying to draw a parallel to limiting yourself to just one thing for fishing. [Smile]
[signature]
8lb because it's light enough to throw some smaller lures, but tough enough to hold up to some cover and larger fish. I agree with everybody about proper drag and catching big fish on light tackle, but it isn't always feasible. If you're throwing a jig or plastic into thick cover for bass, it doesn't matter how perfectly your drag is set, 4 or 6lb just isn't going to cut it.
[signature]
I spend almost all of my time fishing small rivers and creeks. As a result I fish a 5 foot ultra light rod with 2lb line on it about 95 percent of the time. I lose a lot of gear to snags (although I am often wading and can just go pull it out), but I find it to be very exciting using the super light gear. I have had to chase quite a few bigger trout down the river tho. If I am lake fishing I am usually using 6 lb cause its all around good, whether its trout bass or catfish I am after.
[signature]
jig fishing and small luers 6 lbs. bait or crank baits 8. a good rod makes all the diff though
[signature]
I use 20 pound braid for my main line, with a 10, 6, or 3 pound leader, depending on what I'm fishing for.
[signature]
I use yellow fluorescent braid for all my fishing, and if I had to compromise on one size it would be 15 or 20 pound. They have the diameter of 4-6 lb monofilament. However, I use braid in 6-60 lb test.
[signature]