Line choice 4,6,8,or 10lb

[Rapaleye]

I tried searching the archives but I either get no hits or 1000 and that don't answer the question. I am sure this has been asked many times before. Which tensile line to you use fishing for eyes when:

1. Live bait rigging
2. Jigging

I am not as interested in which brand or mono vs. floro vs. braid. Just interested in what tensile strength you use for normal fishing in those two presentations.
Thanks in advance.
Jim

[Cbellin]

i use mainly 4 lb. test for live bait on my ultra light rod
when i am jigging then i go to medium rod with 6 or 8 lb. test.
then if i am trolling i go with my noodle rods and 10 lb. test

hope this helps you out.

Chris

[Eyecon]

I use six pound for both applications.Useing 7 & 7 1/2 foot light to medium/light rods(very forgiving rods)I also back reel the fish.Useing somewhat heavier medium actions in deeper water I may go as high as eight pound.Hope this helps.

[Stezostedion vitreum man]

During periods of a good walleye chop or darker stained water, I will use 8 lb. test. During periods of calm conditions or very clear water, I will use 6 lb. test. So, when live bait rigging or jigging, the lake conditions dictate what size line I will use. Hope this helps and good fishing.

Remember to keep your eyes open and your feet dry.

S.v.m

[SUPERTROLLER]

How big are the fish you're predominately catching? If you're not on a body of water where you are likely to catch 10 lb.'ers then the 4 lb. will probably be enough for most situations. Most lines actually break at a much higher loading rate than is printed on the box. It is a margin of error built in to the line so you don't think their line is junk when it breaks at 4.5 lbs. instead it will probably be closer to 8 lbs. As a very general rule, most lines break test about 4-5 lbs. heavier than the rating on the package. I will not argue with anyone on this topic. I saw it on a fishing show at the berkley factory when they were showing how they test the line and they also showed knot testing for break strength. You can argue with what's the best line, but they all rate their lines lighter so they can advertise a minimum break rating on the box. You can thus use 4 lb. for most anything and not worry too much about breaking off fish. (Obviously, if you're tournament fishing, you'll want a little more assurance of strength and would run 6 or 8 lb.)

[chadk66]

Ditto with what Stezo says.

[IaCraig]

I used 6lb test for a long time. But the I started fishing lakes with real rocky structure and I went to 8lb because with 6 lb I broke off on too many snags. (8lb pulls through) Most recently I have been playing with 20# Whiplash with about a 4# diameter, and I really like it but it's almost too hard to break off if you get a snag.

IaCraig

[TIM(WI)]

Supertroller. I agree with you %100. Last year while fishing for eyes from a dock using 8lb trilene I hooked a Musky that was near 45 inches and played him for close to a hour before he broke off. I was amazed that 8lb test was so strong untill I read your post. Now it makes a little more sense. I have been learning alot from this website since I found it. Thanks.

[cisco]

Supertroller -- If you are going after a line class record, the brand closest to advertised strength is clear Stren. They all get tested (5 breaks from 20 ft of line) when applications are submitted to Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame at Hayward for verification. With Stren, the five breaks will occur both slightly above "rated" strength, and slightly below, but within the tolerance allowed. Line strength, not knot stength is tested, and the line is tested while wet.

[Frank from TBay]

We have a lot of rocks and snags where I do a lot of my fishing. I like mono lines and use both 8 and 10# test. Stren original is my choice. I have used a lot of the new "thin" mono lines and have not been happy with them.

[curt quesnell]

6 pound for jiggin and live bait riggin. i have 2 rods with
4 pound test line for the same applications on real slow days.

curt quesnell

[Kevin B]

In the 1960s I used 14lb! As a kid, I couldn't afford to lose many June-bug spinners, jigs, or crawler harnesses.
In the '70s I went down to 12. Found a little income.
In the eighties I used 8. Probably ideal for the types of structure/lakes I fish.
In the '90's I used 10. I still use 10lb mono for everything. Why? 1)I fish in the snags. 10 gives me at least some chance of pulling my jig out. 2) I get sawed off by Northerns MUCH less with 10lb than with 8. 3) I have learned how to adjust my techniques to the heavier line. 4) My personal experiments with "some guys in the boat using light line, some using heavy line" have not shown a statistically significant difference in fish catching ability.