10lb too light?

[327]

I was just wondering, since most of the people on the board seem to use 15+ lb test, is 10lb too light? I use the Trilene big game 10lb test in dark green for my baitcasters. Just wondering what everyone thinks. Personally, it works fine for me,and thats the most important thing. Isn't lighter line prone to backlashing? thanks - Mark

[Mike Cork]

Let's start this one with the prone to backlashing question. When you are using lighter line you can put quite a bit more of it on the reel when you spool up. And that is obviously because the diameter of the line is smaller. So is it more prone to backlashing? Maybe slightly but the real issue is that when you do backlash with lighter line there is a lot more of it on the reel to birdnest up. The thicker diameter lines, when backlashed don't get as nasty because the thickness keeps it in check.

10 pound line nowadays is of much better quality than yest-er year. The strength of your line should be relative to the cover you are fishing. If you are fishing open water will little to now debris or cover in it then 10 pound will be more than enough and if the water is very clear I would go down to 8 pound. Now if you are fishing water with some sparse hydrilla or grass type vegetation then 10-12 pound would probably be perfect. But if you get into very thick hydrilla or other types of vegetation such as cattails or lilly pads I would recommend going up to at least 15 pound, or one of the braided lines. And finally if you are fishing cover like brush piles and timber I would recommend at least 17 and wouldn't hesitate to go to 25. In timber and brush you have to get that fish turned and headed out and away from the cover so it doesn't wrap you up, so you do a lot of horsing of the fish and this requires heavy line.

Just some thoughts, hope this helped 

[327]

good help, thanks!
I fish mostly open water with grass on bottom, and around the occasional brush pile. And the backlashes are messy when they happen, you hit that one right on the head. Ill stick with the 10 for now since I'm mostly open water

[Mike Cork]

Probably a real good choice. One thing about having to fish from shore is casting distance can be very important. Going to a heavy line will cut done on how far you can cast. With that grass only along the bottom and an occasional brush pile (as long as you know where they are  ) you should be good to go wth the 10 pound. The other thing I forgot to mention, are you having problems? If not then don't let the monster lines that you hear about get you worried. Sounds like you a good choice going.

[BIG PAPA]

One thing I think a lot of people don't realize when we talk about 15 to 25 lb. line down here is, we almost have to use heavy line. We would love to use lighter line and I do sometimes if I am just fishing or trying to locate fish. But we fish in lily pads, Hydrilla and heavy brush around trees and such almost every cast. I can remember days years ago when I would find fish on Toledo bend in a tree top and have 10 bites and not get a single fish out before my line broke, you simply could not turn them and get them headed right before they tangled up, that was with 8-10 lb. line. And I am not talking about just hogs, some of these fish were 3 lbs.or less. Even with 20 lb. line and a heavy rod you might only get 6 out of 10. Yet in my pond I use 6 lb. line and catch 6-7lb. Bass with no trouble because I can fight them in open water most of the time. So line strength is a relative thing, you use what you have to to put them in the boat.
In a tournament this year on Claiborne Our good friend Dave the Dope man had the winning fish wrap him up in a top and break off with 14 lb. line. I was just down from him dragging them and the brush tops out with 25 lb. line. Just 1 example of heavy line making the difference in putting them in the boat and not. The day before they were outside the tops and Dave put several big fish in the boat with no problem, but the sun came out the next day and they moved into the tops.
Thanks for putting me on those fish Dave

papa

[327]

I am on the bank when I dont feel like hooking up the trolling motor and battery lol.
I mostly fish out of the small plastic boat. I usually cast towards the bank, and trees that hang over the water and such. I was able to get a feel for the layout of the bottom when the water was down low. I cant wait for the summer. I will take some pictures of my favorite spots in the lake for the fun of it since it will be windy

[OHbassaholic]

I have what may end up being a handy little tip for you 327.  To reduce your backlash hassle, toss your lure out as far as you normally cast.  Pull off an additional 5 feet of line from the reel.  Now place a piece of electrical tape across the line left on the spool.  Reel in the line and go to work catching fish.  The next time you get a backlash it will be significantly less of a pain to untangle.  Now the overrun will only go as far as the tape.

Good luck.
JBJ

[MotherNature]

I will be doing that 

I hate overruns and although I don't get them very often, when I do boy are they good ones 

[HoosierAngler]

I fish cranks on 10# Big Game quite a bit, works good plus you get a little extra depth out of your baits. Thats about all I use 10# line on baitcasters though.

[Ranger375]

I have to say...that I have been surprised many times by how durable the lighter lines can be these days.  Just for fun sometime...and if your pride can stand it...using an ultralight and light line can really sharpen your skills in the art of finesse...and patience.  Takes a little practice pulling in a big one but it can be done and takes you back to perhaps the early days.  I have often wondered what it must have been like before all the "space age" lines and "high tech" reels.  When fishing was more of an artform and a test of patience.  You know when the drag was actually used for something.  With the lines today...how many times does your drag really get used...and the fish comes up to the boat and then goes on a run as the drag sings?

[Mike Noble]

That is a good point Ranger.  With the lighter line, you have to finesse the fish with your drag and "playing" the fish.  I think 10 lb. would be good for your fishing 327.  I use 17 and 20, and I can tell you that I can't break it when I get hung up...have to cut it.  So the 10 lb. is probably good if there is not a lot of very thick cover.

Good luck.

[Mike Cork]

Ranger I think your point is really relative to your geographical location  Out west we still used line as small as 4# fishing in 30 to 40 ft of water. When you hooked a fish that deep on that light of line you really had to let the drag work. I know what you are talking about. Music to my ears, set the hook and the drag starts singing

[Ranger375]

Yes, you are right Mike...in our location...it is not just about the fish you hook it is also about the 1978 Chevy that was dumped for the insurance that you are wrapped around at the bottom of the lake. 

[Mike Cork]

  now that was funny 

I don't think any pound test can survive that if the fish gets a mind to it but hey at least you have some cover to work with

[Mike Noble]

Especially if the fish rolls the windows up. 

[Ranger375]

   Thats right you guys!  I particularly like it when they honk the horn and flash the lights.  You know...I bet there is still some perfectly good beer still in the bed of those things rolling around.

[Mailman]

I almost always use 12lb Trilene Big Game in the green color and I love it.

[Mike Cork]

Mailman, what kind of water conditions do you fish? Is there a lot of vegetation and timber around? Also how clear is the water?

[327]

I have only heard my drag once, when I caught the 5 pounder lol.

I once pulled down a nice sized tree branch with 15# big game. its good stuff

[Ron Fogelson]

So what did you decide 327?  Gonna stay with 10lb go heavier or lighter, or are you going to change it up 8 on some 10 on others & 15 for the big guns? 

Fogy

[CouchTater]

  I used to fish with 10lb line, but after fightin' some fish thru the mat at Guntersville, i switched to Trilene XT 14lb.  Every reel i got is spooled with XT, except my crappie rig.  :D

Learned my lesson the hard way, set the hook on a nice fish, by the time half the grass was cut, so was my line.  Haven't had a problem with the 14 lb XT.  I do have one spinnin' reel that is spooled with Trilene Sensation, but i dont like it as much as the XT.  It's one of my "emergency" reels.  As far as the Crappie rig goes, its 4 lb 

Tater

[bulldog]

I use the 12lb big game for my worm rod.  It is pretty reliable but, it makes sense to get 15lb or heavier for Spinnerbaits and Jigs.  you are going to be pretty rough on 10lb line unless you change it out every few trips.  If you are in open water that much, then I wonder if you might benefit from a line like Berkley Transition.  Then again, I know fisherman who have fished in everything with 12lb big game and are pretty successful.  If you start having problems with your line breaking off, then I would consider a heavier line.  you might catch more fish with your 10lb line if it is true that smaller line size is harder for fish to see.  So many factors to think about...

[greenkeeperlt]

I was of the thinking that I had to use heavy line cause of all the vegetation in my area, Im takin 12lb mono up to 30lb braids. This year Im goin a little lighter. Im gonna try 6lb on spinning and 10 and 14 on my baitcaters. I want to try to stimulate more bites, at least untill I start loosing a lott of lures. I read an article in Bassmaster that we are to influenced by what the pros use and they go heavy cause of the money. I dont know for sure but it sounds good!

[jarred]

I usually use 17# trilene because I fish with plastics alot.And I need the heavier line for hook set.But my partner uses 10# and he says thats all he will ever use.I guess it depends on what kind of places you fish and what kind of vegitation and cover there is!