the real limits of line

[Joel Jones]

im a little new to fishing and i had a question. i have a pond that has huge bass in it. Im talking at minimun 4lbs. and i wanna know what line to purchase so that i dont go overboard and dont risk breakage. help me out?

[RichF]

For me, the baits/techniques I use dictate what size line I use.  That being said, I tend to use heavier line than most (heavier than I probably need to).  16 to 20lb fluorocarbon and 50 to 60lb braid are on 3/4 of my rigs.  I flip, pitch, and frog most of the time though so those line sizes are "necessary".  If you tie solid knots and make sure your line doesn't get frayed you will be fine with much lighter line.  I've been pleasantly surprised by how strong 10 and 12lb line can be.

 

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, Joel.

Well, if you don't want to break, go heavy line,
braid at 40# and up......but...

Me? I think that's overkill. I've caught dozens 
of 6# bass in my local reservoirs on 10# braid
with a leader from 6-15#. I mostly use 6 and 8
pound leaders. My PB was caught in thick slop
on a 10# leader.

[Nitrofreak]

Not going overboard and minimizing breakage I would suggest a 15lb Floro, it's really good for that happy medium with medium to medium fast rods.

["hamma"]

I usually dont go heavier than 12 pd test stren mono, but then yet im getting old and am set in my ways,... but thats what i have always used even in bogs, swamps, and other various scary areas.,. my pb came on 12 pd green stren

[frosty]

I use 10lb test stren mono and I find if I lose one it's usually my knot tying abilities to blame. 

[papajoe222]

Spinning, or baitcasting? With spinning, I rarely go over 10lb. braid, or mono.  For a baitcaster, take into consideration the baits you'll be using and go with the heaviest rating you feel comfortable. 

[Raul]

It doesn´t depend on how big is the fish, it depends on from where you are trying to pull it from. You can fight and land a huge fish with very light line ( ex, I caught a 13' 6" 590 lbs marlin with 50 lbs dacron mainline and a 100 lb FC leader ) when the fish can´t go and hide in the brush/tree/tules, more cover means you need to go heavier.  8 up to12 lbs test nylon/copoly is pretty much "all around", not too light, not too heavy.

[Fishinthefish]

10lb flouro leader, 20 lb power pro