could my line be affecting the bite?

[burce]

several years ago I went to the beach and went fishing off a jette with some friends and got some new line put on. Now the problem is I have no idea what kind of line the guy put on, but I'm pretty sure it's 10-12lb test. It is also a blueish clear color. I'm assuming theres a difference between salt/fresh water line so I'm assuming it's salt line

Could this type of line affect my success when fishing for bass in ponds in my area? If so, what should I look into getting? Besides bass fishing in ponds, I will also be fishing for rainbows from a canoe (I fish the ponds off the shore) for a couple of weeks at the end of the month in new york

Just curious, thanks everyone

[Jig Man]

If you haven't changed line in several years, it is time to do it.  I have used yellow, blue, green, clear, etc colors of line and haven't found much difference.

You probably will need a light line like 4# for those trout but 10-12 should work for bass unless you have lots of weeds or brush in the ponds.

[BobP]

No such thing as fresh versus salt water line, but I'm with Jig Man - change out that line that's been sitting on your reel for 2 years.  It may be UV and/or heat damaged and it certainly has a bad case of spool memory by now!

[burce]

Any brands you guys recommend specifically?

Also, why would I go down to 4lb for the trout, will a heavier test make a negative difference?

I'm hoping to actually get some rainbows this year - I used a rainbow spoon last year and got nothin

[Fat-G]

Any brands you guys recommend specifically?

Also, why would I go down to 4lb for the trout, will a heavier test make a negative difference?

I'm hoping to actually get some rainbows this year - I used a rainbow spoon last year and got nothin

I would look at Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6lb. test, or P-Line CX Premium, also 6lb. test. They both break at much higher tests.

[Scorcher214]

Ya, Yo-Zuri Hybrid is great also Berkly XL casting, my two favorites other than braid.

[BobP]

If you are the kind of guy who keeps line on his reels for extended periods, I suggest spooling up with some fluorocarbon in 8 lb test.  I like P-Line or BassPro XPS pure fluorocarbon but there are other good brands.  The fluoro won't degrade from UV exposure, will not weaken during use due to water absorption, is less visible to fish, and more abrasion resistant than regular mono.  You can keep it on the reel until it becomes too short to use or until it develops so much spool memory that you can't stand it anymore, whichever comes first.  Leave some of the old cheap mono on the spool as backing so you won't be wasting expensive fluoro that will never see the light of day.  If you are filling a spinning reel, put a little less fluoro on than you would with mono.  I like to leave about a 1/4" lip unfilled on the spool.  That helps control the fluoro, which is a little "springier" than mono.