I was a good girl, and tried to search this topic both in the general boards and Utah boards, before asking this (even went to the archives, Tubedude…tackle/gear part is under construction! lotta good that helped me ;p LOL)
At least I found plenty of advice on what weights to get, for different kinds of fishing!
So… what exactly is the “lb. line” supposed to mean? Does that mean the limit on weight the fish is, before the line breaks?
Might be a ‘stupid’ question, but remember…this is my first year fishin’! And I’m female, therefore a total ditz about sports LOL
This by no means is an educated answer. But from what I get out of the lbs line is the sensitivity. Lighter the line easier to feel the bite, bump, bottom or whatever. I just caught a 11lb catfish on 6lb line. With the right pole and good drag set, you can land good size fish with whatever you are using.
the lb line is calculated by a machine that pulls on the line until it breaks 8lb test breaks at 8lbs. but that does not include say a rod that bends and takes off alot of presure. or your drag on the reel that you can ajust from tight to lose. you can catch a 30 lb fish on 10lb line if you play it slow and safe.
'Less I’m mistaken the pound test is the minimum breaking strength of the line ie. 10 lb. line will hold at least a ten pound weight without breaking. Now, knot strength is a whole new world. Some 10 lb. lines (usually cheaper ones) might only hold a 5 lb. weight with a certain knot like say a clinch knot.
It is the breaking strength of the line. So 4 pound line should hold 4 pounds of weight before breaking. Knots, abrasion, etc will lower the breaking strength and actually most lines have a little higher breaking strength than what they report. So the size of the line should match the size of the rod, reel, tackle, and ultimately the fish you plan on catching. Don’t want to use four pound line for 20 pound fish, although you can catch fish that big by reducing the amount of drag you use on the reel and playing them a lot longer. You also don’t want to use 20 pound line for most trout as the fight will be over in seconds, if you happen to hook one, and it will be hard to cast out your lures with that heavy of line.
I think you can access part of the The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fishing Basics for free at the following website. Not calling you names, but it does go over some basic fishing stuff that might be helpful for novices. You may have to copy and paste the following URL to get to it. It is not the complete book but does have quite a bit of it online when I just looked.
*Not calling you names, but it does go over some basic fishing stuff
*LOL no offense taken… I already know I’m a ditz
Thanks for the site! I’ll check it out…probably when I’m supposed to be doing schoolwork g
So, I got this cheap, dinky little $12 pole at Wal-Mart, that says it has an 8 lbs line. On the rod, it says it’s made for 6-10 lbs line. I got some 12 lbs line for Christmas…I wonder if I can sneak that on there, and be okay.
I don’t want a fight with fish…they’d win ;p
Personally i would use excalibur silver thread to me it is one of the strongest fishing lines pound for pound for frshwater fishing. You can use lighter line for more sensitivity also the lighter the line the less visible it is to the fish.Especially if you still fish. This is the only line i use unless i am trolling or at powell then i use heavier test. I hope i have not confused you.
I’m going to agree with ocean on this one. Silver thread may cost a bit more to buy,but it is worth it in the long run.Sun light breaks down most of the popular fishing lines in less than a year. It’s all about knot strength. If you tie a knot, and pull it apart without hurting yourself, it’s no good. Silver thread doesn’t seem to break down. And it handles abrasion real well. ALWAYS WET YOUR KNOT BEFORE YOU PULL IT TIGHT!!
The current archiving system was started in January of 2008. It includes posts made since then, but does not go back to all the posts made since BFT started. Yours will be the first link under LINES.
If you have a computer and know how to use a search engine, you can enter “Fishing Lines”, or something similar and you will never be able to read all of the websites it lists.
Our archives are just that…links to past posts. I cannot invent them.
I will offer some input on your dilemma. As you have been advised, the rating is for the “average” stress/weight at which the subject line breaks during repeated mechanical tests. It has nothing to do with clarity, abrasion resistance, sensitivity, stretch, knot strength or any other property.
Some line materials are much stronger for their diameter than other lines. Some stretch a lot more than others. Some hold up under the degrading effects of sunlight and heat better than others.
**You do not have to buy a line based upon the largest size fish you ever expect to catch. If you are fishing in Utah…especially in the community ponds…you should never need line heavier than 6# test. That is if you have a decent quality line, a good reel drag and tie good knots. Even the best line will not survive if it is abused or if you do not tie your knots right. But, even the poorest line can land big fish if you have a properly balanced rod, reel and drag system. **
FISH DO NOT BREAK LINES…POOR ANGLERS DO. Anglers who buy cheap line and do not replace it periodically…or who tie poor knots…or who do not retie after fighting a big or toothy fish (or getting a bad snag loose)…or who have a rod too heavy for their line…or who do not have the drag properly set…or who get impatient and try to drag in a large active fish before it is ready…THESE PEOPLE BREAK LINES.
There is a lot to learn and it is probably overwhelming. But, take it one step at a time and keep asking questions. Better yet, invite yourself along to fish with other more experienced BFTers and learn by watching and doing.
I’m going to agree with ocean on this one. Silver thread may cost a bit more to buy,but it is worth it in the long run.
Yeah, but you guys have her spending almost as much on line as her whole outfit cost. Besides, does anyone else besides Cabelas carry it? Fish Tec maybe?
For her, for now, it ain’t worth the shipping and handling charges if mail order. I called Cabelas last week, they don’t have any in stock.
Trilene XL. Excellent line, less expensive, and readily available.
And all the other posts are right. Line test does not operate in a vacuum; it is “strengthened” because of the leverage a fishing pole offers.
Put her in 6 lbs Trilene (maybe 8 for now) and let her have it. She’ll be fine.
I completely agree with you on this one. I use trilene sensation and trilene xt for most spinning applications and it performs great. I just bought a 1200 yard spool for $13(at Cabelas) and it will last 6 or 7 spools easy.[;)]
TubdeDude… you were whining that nobody ever read the archives! Just makin’ ya happy LOL
Anyway, I was just wondering in general. I spent maybe $25 on all my stuff…pole/reel, lures, bait, sinkers…and I also got $20 scales, but that was a splurge.
Since I’m a beginner, I don’t want to spend lots and get all fancy. On the other hand, I suppose getting the best equipment to start out with would probably make a better “first timer” experience… but I don’t plan on entering contests or show off, or anything. Just fun…and food
You have made me so happy. Now I can sleep tonight.
**I think we have all adopted you as a project. **
For what it is worth, if you are ever down in the Salt Lake area, we would be happy to have you stop by and we could help fix you up with some assorted lures and other goodies.
And, if you would like to get into tubing, FireMountain recently donated a round tube, waders and fins that I could pass on to you if you would like them. I was planning on bringing that stuff to the CatfishFest to see if you might be able to use it.
For the time being, don’t spend any more than you need to for just the basics. Once you find out what is real (reel) and what is not, you can make better informed decisions.
IMHO the inexpensive reel manufacturers are performing a disservice by putting heavy line on their reels. I imagine they do it because it saves them a few cents per reel. It is a worse decision to fish with line that is heavier than needed than to fish with line that is lighter than needed. Heavy line tends to have more memory, which means that when it comes off of the reel it is not straight but somewhat still coiled. This causes a problem in getting many more tangles in the reel, makes it more difficult to cast and makes if more difficult to feel or see fish bites. I use Excalibur Silver Thread for most of my fishing; however, there are lots of lines out there that are far less expensive and readily available that would work well for you. I would recommend 6 or at the most 8 pound test monfiliament line for your needs.
Now look what you did! I try to do research on my own, rather than coming here and asking “stupid” questions… but heck, if I’m an adopted project, maybe I should! LOL j/k
TubeDude - Eh…maybe. I’ve never been one much for leaving shore. The fish are the ones that are supposed to be in the water, not me I like solid ground! But I guess this is a good excuse to see if I can find my life jacket in the attic.
Kent - Ooohh. That must’ve been the problem last summer. I got tangled so much…was quite annoying. I suppose I’ll keep the 12# my sister gave me, for aquarium use (yes, it has plenty of uses for PET fish!)
Welcome! Yay, another fishing addict in the works.
As others have stated, lb. means its the breaking point.
Drag, and the fishing rod help make it so you can handle more stress, and lb. resistance than what is stated on the package.
I used to fish when I was a kid, and didn’t think much of it back then, but picked it back up 14 years ago, and have become addicted to it since.
Now if I could just convince the hubby to join the addiction.[;)]
“I’ll keep the 12# my sister gave me, for aquarium use (yes, it has plenty of uses for PET fish!)”
Sounds like you should be fishing in your own aquarium. Those have got to be some dandy aquarium fish that you have if it takes 12# fishing line to control them![;)]
LOL
I use it to tie plants to rocks so they don’t float up, and so my Pleco can’t easily re-arrange them while rootin’ around for food. And I have a 2-part decoration to hold together, because my Apple Snail keeps wedging itself inbetween.
Although, Gouramis are dried (like jerky) in…Thailand? Philipines? Something like that. I did have one, but my bigger fish picked on him, so I got him a new home.
I got room to raise feeder guppies for bait! LOL
The current archiving system was started in January of 2008. It includes posts made since then, but does not go back to all the posts made since BFT started. Yours will be the first link under LINES.