What Fishing Line Strength Should I Use

Determining the correct fishing line to use is a critical component to catching more fish. Very often you will hear anglers tell a fish story of the “one that got away” because their line snapped. You may also hear some inexperienced angler complain that they fished all day and caught nothing, while the fisherman around them were catching fish all day with lighter tackle. The fishing line strength or Lb. test is a measurement of how much stress can be placed on a fishing line before if breaks. So how does one determine the exact strength of a fishing line to use? This article will guide you through the thought process that you should go through before you head out to the water.



Determine Target Species

The first and probably most important factor to consider before you decide what strength of fishing line to put on your reel is the species of fish you are fishing for. In general if you are fishing for a freshwater species of fish the strength of your fishing line can be much lighter than if you were fishing for a saltwater species. The reason for this is simply because freshwater species generally are smaller than saltwater species. Once you decide on the exact species or group of species you plan to target you can then make a decision as to your line strength. Below is a ballpark of what Lb. test fishing line I generally use based on species.

Freshwater

Bluegill : 2-4 lb. test fishing line
Perch : 4-8 lb. test fishing line
Crappie: 4-8 lb. test fishing line
Bass : 5-12 lb. test fishing line
Trout: 5-10 lb. test fishing line
Pike: 10-20 lb. test fishing line
Walley : 10-20 lb. test fishing line
Catfish : 8-15 lb. test fishing line

Saltwater

Scup : 4-8 lb. test fishing line
Flounder : 8-15 lb. test fishing line
Tautog : 10-20 lb. test fishing line
Bluefish : 15-25 lb. test fishing line
Striper : 15-30 lb. test fishing line
Tuna: 20-40 lb. test fishing line

Where Do You Plan on Fishing

Now that you have a baseline of what strength fishing line you should use the next factor to consider is the exact location you plan on fishing. Will you be fishing from shore or by boat? Will you be fishing in a fast moving river or stagnant pond? These questions will help to further refine your selection of fishing line. For instance if you are fishing from shore and plan on casting frequently, you may want to consider a lighter fishing line such that your casts reach further. If you plan on fishing in a boat sending your bait directly to the bottom with a fishing weight then you may want to consider using a heavier line in case you get snagged on the bottom. A heavier line may be the more appropriate choice if you plan on fishing in a fast moving river with strong currents. If you hook into a decent size fish within a fast moving stream the weight of the fish may seem magnified placing much more stress on your fishing line and rod.

Determine Your Objectives

If you are planning on catching and releasing your fish for the day a lighter line may be the better choice for you as you will likely get more action considering that the lighter line has less of a chance scaring the fish away. Always try to use the lightest line possible without running the risk of breaking the line as you will see an increase in hits throughout the day. However if you plan on bringing your catches to the dinner table and do not want to run the risk of snapping your line then use a heavier line.

Rod and Reel Strength

A majority of rod and reels inform you of the recommended line strength on it. It is either printed on the reel itself or on the handle of the rod. But as long as you do not place 25lb test on a small freshwater shimano reel you should be fine with any choice. To avoid much aggravation at the lake or pond I would recommend using a heavier line strength at first as the lighter lines are known to tangle more frequently.

Another helpful tip is to spray down your fishing reel and line after every trip to ensure that it does not begin to breakdown and lose its strength. This is expecially important if you plan on saltwater fishing frequently.