Big One Got Away

[Johnsfolly]

5 hours ago, Seth said:

Line size is dependent on lure choice. If I am throwing a 1/16-1/32oz jig then I will use 2# test. Sometimes I will fish a 1/8oz jig on the 2# test as well, but prefer 4#. For small jerkbaits, I use 4-6# and 8# for a bass sized jerkbait. My pb rainbow (27" 10#) was landed from a dock on 2# test.

Seth that is a giant! Congrats! About 6 lbs heavier than my PB rainbow.

[Phil Lilley]

On 12/22/2018 at 10:42 AM, Mitch f said:

Seth......1

Phil, spaz1729.....0

Use bigger line and a heavier jig to produce the same fall rate. 

I need to take you jig fishing, Mitch.  I'll show you why we use 2-pound line.  

I got a bag of your craws  - seconds I was told - all colors.  They look awesome... need to try them on our browns.  Wish I could use them up past Fall Creek, namely below the dam where there's a ton of bass right now.  Bet they'd eat them!

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, Phil Lilley said:

I need to take you jig fishing, Mitch.  I'll show you why we use 2-pound line.  

I got a bag of your craws  - seconds I was told - all colors.  They look awesome... need to try them on our browns.  Wish I could use them up past Fall Creek, namely below the dam where there's a ton of bass right now.  Bet they'd eat them!

Fair enough.

 

Like I was telling Seth, If you’re striving for a perfect fall rate on a perfect sized jig, I would ask if 4 or 6 pound test with a slightly heavier jig wouldn’t accomplish the same thing. You would obviously at least double the breaking strength of the line. The other question I would ask is with a slightly heavier heavier line would you only have half the amount of strikes?

If you’re fishing for stocker rainbows, yes...I understand the 2 pound test. 

 

  I’m sure the generation plays a huge factor as well. I would think the more generation the less likely line diameter would make a difference. Question for Duane, what size does he use for his sculpin pattern jerk baits?

 

Everyone has their own version of what they are fishing for. I wouldn’t want to risk losing a big fish because of light line. By the way, I give Al crap about his 8 pound test on the Meramec!😂

 

Also, I was under the impression you couldn’t  fish plastics on Taney up by the dam?

[Seth]

1 minute ago, Mitch f said:

Fair enough.

 

Like I was telling Seth, If you’re striving for a perfect fall rate on a perfect sized jig, I would ask if 4 or 6 pound test with a slightly heavier jig wouldn’t accomplish the same thing. You would obviously at least double the breaking strength of the line. The other question I would ask is with a slightly heavier heavier line would you only have half the amount of strikes?

If you’re fishing for stocker rainbows, yes...I understand the 2 pound test. 

 

  I’m sure the generation plays a huge factor as well. I would think the more generation the less likely line diameter would make a difference. Question for Duane, what size does he use for his sculpin pattern jerk baits?

 

Everyone has their own version of what they are fishing for. I wouldn’t want to risk losing a big fish because of light line. By the way, I give Al crap about his 8 pound test on the Meramec!😂

 

Also, I was under the impression you could fish plastics on Taney up by the dam?

Upper Taneycomo is flies and hard baits, no soft plastic or scented lures. I couldn’t imagine how many trout I would catch up there if I could drift a pink power worm through there!

[Mitch f]

5 minutes ago, Seth said:

Upper Taneycomo is flies and hard baits, no soft plastic or scented lures. I couldn’t imagine how many trout I would catch up there if I could drift a pink power worm through there!

You are the pink worm whisperer!! 

[Seth]

7 minutes ago, Mitch f said:

You are the pink worm whisperer!! 

I wish it worked on the big trout as well as it does on the big bass. It’s definitely a numbers bait for trout.

[Johnsfolly]

A long time ago I just fished bass with topwaters then got into plastics. When my oldest (now 22) was about 5 i bought her a bag of bubblegum colored worms as her special baits. I hadn't fished pink for bass and never thought that I would. Was fishing a small private lake and nearly went through "her" bag of worms while catching well over 40 bass. Since then pink was a go to bait for that lake in particular. I have had some success elsewhere. Now I hardly just bass fish since I am usually targetting something new to catch. When I do though something pink (flukes or worms) will be in my tackle bag. I've done well on crappie and urban trout with pink and white trout magnets.

[Quillback]

Couple weeks ago caught a spotted bass on Table Rock that spit out a BRIGHT pink worm, looked like a Zoom Trick worm, but it was a little beat up so hard to tell the brand.  Nobody around me at the time and as the fish had not swallowed it, it must have just picked it up right before I caught it.  I'm guessing someone lost that worm in the past and that fish picked it on the bottom.

[Phil Lilley]

Mitch - Generation and wind play a huge part.  Wind will push heavier line around more than light line.

The other consideration is lure profile.  I use a smaller jig for its size, not necessarily for its weight.  If the water isn't running or just barely, I use a smaller profile jig rather than a big bulky jig, although you can make a good argument for bouncing a big jig off the bottom too.

[Al Agnew]

I've never seen a need for 2 pound line.  I match my line diameter to the size of the lure or fly I'm fishing, but have never in my life gone thinner than 6X fluorocarbon tippet, which is about 3.5 lb. test.  Most of my fishing, even on highly pressured waters, is with 5X fluoro or heavier.  In fly fishing I keep it simple...nothing but Rio fluoroflex no matter what kind of fly I'm fishing, and I carry 6X to 1X.  I think I catch plenty of fish.  There are reasons for thin diameter line as far as sink rate, wind resistance, current resistance, attitude of flies or lures, and how deep crankbaits run.  But the difference between true 2 lb. test and true 4 lb. test is not significant enough for me to ever opt for the 2 lb.  It is certainly insignificant as far as the fish seeing the line, in my opinion.