How much strength or power do we really need?

[Phil T.]

Here's a couple questions that can be discussed without brand bashing, and what prompted the questions in the first place.
Tie a 2 lb weight to the end of your fishing line, and lift it with your rod. Note how much the rod bends. Since all fish weigh the same when in the water, just how much line strength do we need for the fish, if we have good drags or backreeling technique? I didn't ask about the strength needed for abrasion resistance or tooth resistance, nor do I estimate the thrust of a fighting fish.
Secondly, visit www.adventurearoundtheworld.com and see what can be done with only a 50hp engine on a heavily loaded 18' boat. Obviously, those guys are a lot better at seamanship than all of us who think you need power to handle big water. Maybe we should admit that the rougher the water, the less speed you can use.
Okay, discuss and be nice.

[Hans]

On your first point (line strength), the strength of the line you need has almost *nothing* to do with the weight of
the fish. Since most fish assume neutral bouyancy, a motionless fish (ignoring their "fight" for the moment) "weighs" nothing at all. They do, however have "mass" and a larger fish has more mass than a smaller fish, thus you need stronger line to "accelerate" (move) a larger fish than you do a smaller fish.

Complicating this, of course, is the fact that any fish will resist (some more strenuously than others) being moved.

Thus you can see that your analogy to a 2-pound weight isn't going to be much use.

Hans

[WAZ]

Having fished the Amazon river a couple of times I can guarantee you that a 10lb Peacock bass will not come in on 10lb test line. A 20lb peacock will never come in on 20lb test line. You may have the best reel with the smoothest drag the fish will not come in. Your reel will be stripped of line, or snagged on some obstruction. You need lot's of power in some situations. With the motor it's all relative. How fast is fast and how fast do you want to get there? How much are you willing to spend to get there faster.

[Phil T.]

Of course the neutral bouyancy of fish allowed me to land a 9 lb walleye with 4 lb test line. The weather was calm, the bottom was snag-free.

[Phil T.]

Yahbut, this is a walleye board, dedicated to a fish valued primarly for its flavor, not its fight. It is also reputed to often require finesse. If that's so, why do we fish light jigs and rigs with 6 or 8 lb line? I tried that lifting of 2lbs with one of my spinning rods, and I was surprised at the force required. I don't normally use that much pressure when fighting a walleye.

[cmb]

now add the force an average fish can almost instantly deliver, and a couple of nicks in the line!

just becuase it can be done doesn't mean that it is the best option, or even viable under most circumstances. I could probably kill a charging mountain lion with a spear, buy why would I If I had a large calaber rifle on my sholder? you could probably tow the average walleye boat with a compact truck or midsized car, but why would you if you had a full sized truck or suv?

moral of the story? if you have the best fit tool, why not use it?