Hmmmm.......not sure I'm with you Jax on line change applications being mostly unneeded.

I can think of tons of applications where I routinely change my lb test.

Finesse presentations with a j-11 rapala or a slider and 4lb xt come to mind.

How about a chatterbait in the weeds.........better have 10 or 12#

8# for topwater smallmouths

6# for trolling deep cranks (yea, I know I'm daring.... The 9' steelie rod lets me get away with it)

And then of course I never hit canoe country without a selection of big baits. Baits pushin 9" require 15 or 20# test just to be able to toss without breaking them off on the cast itself.

If I'm in the Q and it's a fishing trip more than a travel trip I will have on hand 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 lb test. Two identical spinning reels with 2 spools each and 1 baitcaster to handle the big stuff.

Of course each trip is different. This summers WCPP trip is a travel trip and although I intend on running a line as often as possible (weather permitting) I don't want to get bogged down playing fish on to light of tackle. So I will likely "up" my line test considerably to make the battles a bit more of a down and dirty slugfest than what might be otherwise.

Here is another aspect of line classes for consideration. And that is.......how the lure operates given the type of line involved.

For example.........For a good many years I have had huge success throwing a j-11 original rapala in the perch finish on 4lb green xt. The balsa lure is really able to strut its stuff on the 4lb line. Not only does it look like nothing is attached it has an extra little kick in its wobble. Throw in being able to cast a light lure which is not particularly aerodynamically friendly a very long way because of the 4lb and you have a winning combination.

Sometimes you want a lure to fall slowly. One way to achieve that is to fish thicker line. It catches more water and thus slows the descent of the lure.

One thing to keep in mind with FC is that it is stiffer and heavier than comparable test mono. Lures will sink a bit faster and may have a bit less action (but who knows......less action may be the ticket that day ). One way to compensate is with a loop knot. There are many different loop knots and I am not a fan of most of them. The perfection loop is an exception. It works especially well with FC.

Speaking on FC, FWIW, most of the bass tournament pros I know despise vanish. Surprisingly they have good things to say about bass pro shops brand (Of course bass pro doesn't make it). I have never heard them talk about P-line BTW. I have always been a fan of seagur FC leader material and I like the original best. The harder thinner diameter premium seems tough to work with.

I'm getting a little happy.........I get to go fishing soon. Maybe after a mega-dose of fishing they can cut back on my meds. (I'M KIDDING!)

Ouch!..........you got me!

Mad_Birdman wrote on Apr 24^th, 2011 at 12:44am:


Cold Canadian shield lakes, baitcasting rods, large lures, large Pike that may have never been caught before or ever have seen a lure before.  I'm gettin' the shakes!!!!