Thread: Fishing Too Heavy?

Originally Posted by catchNgrease

4# test is plenty strong enough. It will cast better and you'll more natural presentation. Hivis is a great choice. I wouldn't blame catch rate one thing. Jig size, jig color, bait style, bait color, method and speed all play a part.
I also got a feeling your fishing too hard and too fast. Turn around watch your wife and enjoy the day.

Sent from my E6910 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

I have no doubt your are right catchN, many things for me to try before my catchn days are over.
I thank you!

Alan

It very very much depends on where you are fishing. I've fished areas where the fish were extremely stupid and caught plenty on a cane pole with 20# line. I've also fished areas where the fish wouldn't touch a bait on 6lb line but would eat on 3lb and 4lb..

Same for crappie fishing, I've seen areas where jigging with 8-10# line worked just fine.. and I've seen areas where if you used 6# you didnt get a bite, the 4lb reel with the same jig caught fish after fish.

The weight (diameter) of the line greatly impacts the way your bait or lure acts in the water.

Another situation is those pre-tied snelled hooks on 15lb line. I've taken people fishing before that used those and could not buy a bite while I am catching fish after fish, eventually I ask to rig their rod up to what I have and they agree.. Then its fish after fish with just 4lb line straight to the hook and nothing else changed. Usually I'll just use their hook and cut that thick line off and re-tie it.

I dont have a single bluegill rod with more than 4lb line, other than a couple old school cane poles. I have crappie rods with 4, 6, 8, and 10 for different situations.. mostly dealing with brush. I use 2lb or 4lb for bluegills and catch plenty of fish. I find 6lb too difficult to cast light rigs with, less forgiving in terms of memory and tangles, and like I said earlier the 4lb and less has a better action in the water.

Originally Posted by Kevin22

It very very much depends on where you are fishing. I've fished areas where the fish were extremely stupid and caught plenty on a cane pole with 20# line. I've also fished areas where the fish wouldn't touch a bait on 6lb line but would eat on 3lb and 4lb..

Same for crappie fishing, I've seen areas where jigging with 8-10# line worked just fine.. and I've seen areas where if you used 6# you didnt get a bite, the 4lb reel with the same jig caught fish after fish.

The weight (diameter) of the line greatly impacts the way your bait or lure acts in the water.

Another situation is those pre-tied snelled hooks on 15lb line. I've taken people fishing before that used those and could not buy a bite while I am catching fish after fish, eventually I ask to rig their rod up to what I have and they agree.. Then its fish after fish with just 4lb line straight to the hook and nothing else changed. Usually I'll just use their hook and cut that thick line off and re-tie it.

I dont have a single bluegill rod with more than 4lb line, other than a couple old school cane poles. I have crappie rods with 4, 6, 8, and 10 for different situations.. mostly dealing with brush. I use 2lb or 4lb for bluegills and catch plenty of fish. I find 6lb too difficult to cast light rigs with, less forgiving in terms of memory and tangles, and like I said earlier the 4lb and less has a better action in the water.

Thank you and to all, as I said I just want a little more fun in my fishing, We never keep fish.
Consensus says I should try 4lb, I won't give up on my beloved rod and reel with 6lb but I will put some 4lb on my Plueglar and give that a try.

Alan

Guess I’m different from most but I don’t think there is anything wrong with the 6#. I consider 6# a good overall line size. I use and prefer it over 4#. I think a lot has to do with how you fish as well. I used to use 2# and 4# and still have those on a couple rods but mostly I use the 6 or 8. I’m also jigging in trees and brush and everything I can for them and like to be able to pull them out of cover. I do cast with them also but I’m not looking to cast 70’ either. The lighter line I use if I’m casting in open water. I usually carry 2 rods with me but usually use only one rod.

It all depends on what you are comfortable with. I have tried a lot of lines from Varivas, Subline and others. I keep coming back to Trout SOS. 2# on the Super Ultralights and 4# on the Light power rods. Since all my lighter rods are JDM I probably wouldn't go with 6# USDM lines.

If you're so inclined, try braid. You get very light line and plenty of strength. Even a 10# braided line is thinner than your 6# mono.

My desire for lighter line came from casting distance, never use live bait. Also find it easier to tie knots with hi vis. I’ve used many lines less than 6lb and like two kinds very well. BPS offshore angler tight lines, inexpensive and a very good personality including low line memory which may help reduce your pigs tail effect. I’ve used it in 4 thru 10 pound with equal success. The best overall is Stren Crappie hi vis, which I’ve used in two and four pound. If you have confidence in your six pound line, by all means. I’ve used a couple of line brands that had terrible memory issues and they got a quick trip to the recycle pile. You’re wife is one upping you with two rods so don’t compete with her, sounds like she’s having fun though. When I want to up my catch, I downsize my bait and catch fish that have sometimes shut down on the bigger stuff. Good luck with it all, all good comments so far.

My desire for lighter line came from casting distance, never use live bait. Also find it easier to tie knots with hi vis. I’ve used many lines less than 6lb and like two kinds very well. BPS offshore angler tight lines, inexpensive and a very good personality including low line memory which may help reduce your pigs tail effect. I’ve used it in 4 thru 10 pound with equal success. The best overall is Stren Crappie hi vis, which I’ve used in two and four pound. If you have confidence in your six pound line, by all means continue using it. I’ve used a couple of line brands that had terrible memory issues and they got a quick trip to the recycle pile. You’re wife is one upping you with two rods so don’t compete with her, sounds like she’s having fun though. When I want to up my catch, I downsize my bait and catch fish that have sometimes shut down on the bigger stuff. Good luck with it all, all good comments so far.

Originally Posted by skeetbum

My desire for lighter line came from casting distance, never use live bait. Also find it easier to tie knots with hi vis. I’ve used many lines less than 6lb and like two kinds very well. BPS offshore angler tight lines, inexpensive and a very good personality including low line memory which may help reduce your pigs tail effect. I’ve used it in 4 thru 10 pound with equal success. The best overall is Stren Crappie hi vis, which I’ve used in two and four pound. If you have confidence in your six pound line, by all means continue using it. I’ve used a couple of line brands that had terrible memory issues and they got a quick trip to the recycle pile. You’re wife is one upping you with two rods so don’t compete with her, sounds like she’s having fun though. When I want to up my catch, I downsize my bait and catch fish that have sometimes shut down on the bigger stuff. Good luck with it all, all good comments so far.

Got to agree with the STREN crappie. I really like it. VERY difficult to find the 2 lb this year, and I was suspicious that what was being advertised on the net was old stock. I’m using 2lb Gamma this year and while I like it, I’ll be on the lookout for Stren early next year.
Bob

Originally Posted by skeetbum

When I want to up my catch, I downsize my bait and catch fish that have sometimes shut down on the bigger stuff.

That has been the key to success here lately as well. Smaller baits gets them when they just look at the larger baits. So many minnows an all you can eat buffet. They can usually eat a tiny morsel swimming by easier than the larger meal.