Ohl 7/13/13

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by Jmmiller33

Have you always used such light line? I've never heard of so many people using such light tackle until I joined here. Maybe that's the change that's catching more fish?

With certain lures it will help catch more fish because heavier line may not allow for enough action of the lure to entice a strike. Mostly though we just like it for sport. I always bass fish with 4 or 6lb test and when using trout/crappie magnets I use a spool full of 4lb mono with a few feet of 2lb flouro. I often catch bass with that and it's a blast fighting them on 2lb test, have to be very careful! The only rods I have with heavier line are my rockfish setup (30lb braid) and my baitcaster that I use for spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, crankbaits, etc. which requires 10lb test. Now if I was fishing a tournament, which I have yet to attempt, I'd definitely use 15-20lb test so I can horse the fish in as quick as possible and not worry about breaking the line.

[jad2t]

Originally Posted by Alphahawk

Well you got 12 fish to the boat.....so a good day IMHO. But yes ones heart sinks when those big ones get off. We only will get so may shots at those big ones and it feels sick when they get away....but man it is thrill....even short lived...when we hook one.


Regards

A couple years ago at the Caney, at night, when I was first attempting to catch big browns I had that feeling. Fishing a rainbow trout pattern crank I had something really big grab it and make a long run. I wasn't even in the battle yet, just holding the rod and watching the drag run out. That lasted about 10-15 seconds and then it was gone. Didn't break off, just got loose. Yea, I felt sick.

[Jmmiller33]

I use light line on my bream rods, still sticking with 14lb mono for bass until I get the hang of a small baitcaster a bit more. I only use 20lb mono on all my catfish rigs however. I get a kick out of them pulling drag and it casts alot farther. I may try to step down the bass rod soon then and see if I can hook up on a few more.

[Jim]

Thanks for the nice comments about the graphs and pics. I am glad if it helps.

Also,

Originally Posted by Jmmiller33

Have you always used such light line? I've never heard of so many people using such light tackle until I joined here. Maybe that's the change that's catching more fish?

I an not a light line only fisherman. I carry a bunch of rods on the boat ranging from 80lb braid for fishing big live bait for stripers and cats to 2lb test for trout magnets. I have a number of baitcasting set ups with 14 or 17 lb test for typical bass fishing. The 6lb set up is for light shakyhead fishing. I have been doing well with a 1/16 and 1/8 oz sliderhead jig with a small plastic worm or crawfish. The light head allows the baits to slowly slither through the cover and rarely gets hung up in the rocks. The 6lb fluorocarbon leader on braid is an amazingly strong setup. It rarely breaks even when the bass wrap it in the brush.

Last fall my best action was on a rattletrap and that was on 14 lb test. Hardly ever picked up any light tackle as the bass were killing the rattletrap so mostly I fish whatever they are biting on I have had little luck on a spinnerbait this year and that is normally my go to bait.

Jim

[Jmmiller33]

Good to know and thanks for the responses fellas. I'm just now getting into fishing species other than catfish and all of this is very helpful!

[Reel Tune]

Great information and explanation with the visual Jim. I would like to learn to fish deep water humps and ledges better. This information sure does help. You can't always fish shallow.

Jeremy

[Doc Marshall]

Thanks, Jim. This is a massive help.

When one starts out fishing, he beats the bank to death. Then he starts to learn to fish deeper waters etc.