"Proper fishing line is just
as important as the right bait."
Author - John E. Brady, Hanover PA-USA
Copyright 2001
e-mail - jeb@jebswebsite.com
One day when I was at my brothers tackle shop he showed me a reel that someone brought in for repair. It looked very odd. The reel itself wasn't that unusual, a run of the mill spinning reel for fishing our local water. But the line on the reel is what grab our attention. It looked like string trimmer line!
Using the proper size fishing line on your reel is just as important to catch fish as using the right bait. You wouldn't use a big crankbait if you were fishing for crappie, nor would you likely use a tiny jig to catch muskie. Just like your bait, you need to match your line size with the type of fishing you do.
There are several factors that can affect your decision when selecting the proper size and type of line you should use. Water clarity, the type of structure you may be fishing around, and the size of the fish you are fishing for are the most important factors to consider when selecting a fishing line.
Clear water fishing is just about the toughest type of water to fish. The fish spook easily, so you need a line that is going to be as invisible as possible. Clear line, or clear line with a slight tint to it, is usually best in this type of a situation. The more stained the water, the darker the line can be. However it also becomes much less important what color the line is.
The main factor most people consider when purchasing line, is what pound test to buy. Usually, the smaller the fish, the lighter (pound test) you can get away with. But another factor that can be considered is line thickness. Most everyone understands the concept of line weight, that is, the pound test of line. But not everyone fully understands the concept of line thickness, and the advantages it can offer an angler.
While the pound test of the line usually is a guide for the weight class the line can handle, the actual thickness (diameter) of your line can be used to an advantage as well.
Lighter line, with a smaller diameter can be used when you are fishing a crankbait or spinnerbait in deep water. This lighter line can help get your bait down deeper, because it's less resistant to water. It has less water resistance because it's thinner. For example, if you are using a 14 or 17 pound test line to fish a crankbait in deep water, try downsizing to a 10 or 12 pound test line.
The opposite works for top water fishing. Thicker line floats better than thinner line. So if you are using a 10 or 12 pound test line for top water, try increasing to a 14 or 17 pound test. This thicker, heavier pound test will help the line stay on top, and help to give you a better hook set.
Another option that has become popular recently is the use of braided or fusion lines. These lines offer you a much higher pound test, with a thinner diameter. This allows you to use a thinner diameter line, while maintaining the higher pound test that you are comfortable with. This line also has the added benefit of being a very low stretch line, and a lot more abrasion resistant than monofilament line. The virtual no stretch property of braided and fused lines is a big asset for trolling, fishing deep water, or long distance top water fishing. The abrasion resistance helps when fishing around rocks, wood, boat docks, even in grass.
So the next time you need to change your line, make sure you can pass the line test. It just might help you catch more fish.
After all..."They call it fishing, but the goal is catching!"