line

[Foghorn]

2 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Phill's been using 2 pound on One Cast.  @Travis Swift is spot on too. 

Or you can buy 2 or 3 pound P-Line Floroclear Clear Fishing Line (Filler Spool) for $8 on amazon.  I use the 3 pound.

Me too! And I often use the filler spool to fill a tippet spool.

[JetBoatGuy]

I prefer this in 2lb lo vis green for jig fishing using a spinning rod. I usually pick it up at BassPro.

[Phil Lilley]

Surprising that it's hard to find 2 pound line.  But we carry I think about 5 different kinds.  I like Trilene Sensation the best.  And we do have that one.

[Smithvillesteve]

Boys I cant thank you enough. I sincerely appreciate all of your input here. I love checking out the fishing reports on this website. Mostly Pomme, Stockton and Table Rock. In a world filled with turmoil and hate its good to know there is still good people out there. Once again thanks to all you guys that took the time to help me out. 

[Al Agnew]

I'll say what I always say...if you think trout can see 4 pound line and can't see 2 pound line, you're delusional.  YOU can see both.  Why would the trout shy away from one more than the other? Are they measuring it? In my opinion, the only reason to use very light line is if you're using very small, light jigs or flies whose movement would be affected by the slightly heavier line.  In Montana, I fish the famous spring creeks near Livingston.  Super clear, small water.  It's all catch and release, with a dozen or more anglers on a half mile of stream just about every day, so the fish see a lot of flies and lines and really good or inept anglers.  When I go I catch as many fish as most, and I NEVER go lighter than 6X fluoro, with 5X more often.  I also cross things up and use streamers when everybody else is using tiny (size 20-22 or even smaller) nymphs, with 4X, and catch some of the bigger fish they often miss.  Yes, there are times when the trout are being selective and actually eating tiny bugs, but I can't remember the last time I went lighter than 6X and size 20 flies.

I also question the use of "tippets" on spin gear.  You've already lowered your margin for error with tying on some 1.5 or 2 pound tippet on the end of your heavier line.  Now you're also lowering it even more by whatever knot you tie, which is never going to be better than 85% of so of the strength of your lighter line.

But heck, if you feel better using the lightest line possible, have at it.  Meanwhile, I'm using 8-12 pound copoly line for smallmouth on the clearest streams of the Ozarks.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Al Agnew said:

...if you think trout can see 4 pound line and can't see 2 pound line, you're delusional.

If you think you can cast & control a lightweight jig, in current, with 4lb. as well as you can with 2lb....... you're also delusional 😊

Some folks might be surprised how much .002" of line diameter can make a difference. 

[Quillback]

Casting those light jigs is where it's useful, but the guys fished with at Taney that used 2 lb. leader used braided mainline, but I think I remember them saying it was 3 lb. braid.  

Fished with Milo in the trophy section, he was mainly throwing jerk baits, but picked up his jig outfit with that light line and caught 5 trout on 5 casts, I was throwing 1/8 oz jigs and catching one just every once in a while.  Maybe it was coincidence, or a fluke, but in that short time frame the light line and 1/16th oz jig was king.

Later that day we fished below the catch and release area where we found concentrations of fresh off the truck rainbows.  They did not care about weight of jig or size of line.

I'm in the camp of it's not the visibility but the castability and presentation of lighter line that makes a difference.  

4 lb. test is my threshold, I go no lighter than that.  If people are whacking them with 2 lb. test and I'm not, then I will be happy to be their net boy.  

[grizwilson]

First, I am not a very good Taney fisherman, could likely get a ticket for trying to impersonate one.  But yesterday afternoon (1/20/26) I tried a bit, and admittedly had read this thread. So I started off with 7x, broke a good fish off, wore another to near exhaustion and had trouble getting them hooked up.  Was throwing a #16 gray scud so not a jig.  I switched to 6x(My version is 4# maxima) my take rate fell a bunch, but my catch rate went up.  Likely need some of that #3 @snagged in outlet 3 speaks of.  

[Al Agnew]

On 1/20/2026 at 11:00 PM, fishinwrench said:

If you think you can cast & control a lightweight jig, in current, with 4lb. as well as you can with 2lb....... you're also delusional 😊

Some folks might be surprised how much .002" of line diameter can make a difference. 

Yup.  That's why I said the only reason to use lighter line is if you're using very light flies or jigs whose movement would be affected by heavier line.