How to Choose a Fishing Line Weight
- 1). Determine what types of rods and reels you have. There are three types of reels: closed-face, spinning and casting. Closed-face and casting reels will fit trigger rods. Spinning reels fit rods without a trigger. There are two different types of rods also: fiberglass and graphite. Most closed-face and spinning combos are made from fiberglass. Casting combos are available in both fiberglass and graphite. When choosing your line, use monofilament with closed-face and spinning reels. You have the option of using both monofilament and superbraids with casting reels.
- 2). Determine where you’ll be spending most of your time fishing. If you’re fishing in clear water, you’ll need a line that is less visible to the fish, such as a clear monofilament line. If you’re fishing in darker water, you have the option of choosing a clear or bright line. Brighter lines offer you the advantage of being able to see your line easier in darker water. The more visible line can be used with predatory fish like muskies that predominantly use their sense of hearing to detect danger.
- 3). Determine what species of fish you will be pursuing. If you’re after small panfish such as bluegills, perch and crappie, you’ll need to use a lighter braid of line that has some stretch in it. For this type of fishing, consider something like 6-lb. monofilament. In contrast, if you’re pursuing predatory fish such as walleyes, largemouth and smallmouth bass, you would opt for 20-lb. monofilament with less stretch.
- 4). Pursuing an even larger predatory fish such as a northern pike or a musky requires a superbraid line. Superbraid lines are made from materials such as spectra or dyneema fibers, which are extremely sensitive and offer maximum strength. When choosing these lines, you need to look out for two factors. First, determine what pound test the line is rated as. Many of these lines are rated for tests between 40 and 80 lbs. If you were to actually use line this thick, though, you wouldn’t be able to spool much of it on and you’d run into other problems. Secondly, check the diameter of the line. A smaller diameter will allow you to have more usable line.
