 by
Bob Jensen
CHOOSING A LINE FOR FISHING The fishing line that an angler puts on a reel can make a big difference in how much fishing success that angler will experience. It is recommended that every new fishing season be started with new line. That's why many tackle shops have line-spooling specials this time of year.
There are several things to keep in mind when you're determining what line to buy. One of the first considerations is the size of the bait you will be using. If you're going to be throwing small jigs, you will want to go with a lighter line. Four-pound test is much better with sixteenth ounce jigs than eight-pound test. Light line handles small lures much better. Another consideration is the type of area to be fished. If the area has lots of cover, heavier line will be required. If you will be using jig-worms on the weedline for largemouth bass, six-pound test might be adequate. However, if you're going to be pitching rubber-legged jigs with plastic into heavy cover for bass, you will want seventeen-pound test line at a minimum. A two pound bass on the weedline can be handled with six-pound test, but a two pounder in heavier cover would break the light stuff off before the fight even got started. In clear water or in areas where cover is minimal, a small diameter line like Trilene XL is a very good choice, as it is very easy to handle and nearly invisible to the fish. If there are rocks or weeds, a more durable line is necessary. A more durable line might be a little larger in diameter than the limper lines, but is also much tougher. Trilene XT is a great line that works well when tougher conditions are encountered. For most jigging for walleyes and bass, four, six, and eight-pound test will do a great job. Six-pound test XT is my favorite. Eight or ten pound test would be a good over-all size for crankbaits for walleyes and bass. If you're using boards, go a little heavier, if the water is clear or you want the bait to run deeper, lighter line might be of benefit. Four-pound test is very good for panfish. However, in exceptionally clear water a move to two-pound test might result in more bites. If the panfish are near docks, beaver huts, rushes, or anywhere else where the cover is heavy, more fish will probably be landed with six-pound test line. You might get more bites with four-pound test, but more fish will actually be landed with the heavier stuff. Be sure to start the fishing season with fresh line that is appropriate for the fishing you will be doing and you will enjoy your fishing even more, and you'll probably catch more fish.
© Copyright 2000 Fishing the
Midwest
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Line is measured in diameter and line-breaking strengths. The larger the diameter, usually the higher the break-strength. Line-breaking strength is mostly measured in two-pound increments for open-water fishing.