Line Strength

[Wildgoosechase]

I've always used light tack and light line, even when fishing for larger species fish. I recently purchased a new Curado and the guy working at the shop offered to spool some line for me. I asked him to put 8lb test mono on, as that is what I typically fish with. He said that was "too light" for a bait caster, and recommended no lighter than 12lb test line. Why is this?

[stripernut]

I've always used light tack and light line, even when fishing for larger species fish. I recently purchased a new Curado and the guy working at the shop offered to spool some line for me. I asked him to put 8lb test mono on, as that is what I typically fish with. He said that was "too light" for a bait caster, and recommended no lighter than 12lb test line. Why is this?

line lb test is more specific to technique than type of reel. i have thrown a pop-r and torpedo on a baitcaster with 8lb test for....since i can remember. i probably wouldnt pitch with 8lb test on a 7 foot heavy action flippin stik into a mat of hydrilla, but i do pitch small single blade spinnerbaits into wood with 10lb test.
"right tool for the right job"
p.s. as you already know a poor quality 12lb test line is far worse than high quality 8lb test.
best of luck

[artcarney_agr]

Nothing wrong with 8 lb test. I use 8 lb. on my deep cranking rod. David Fritts supposedly uses 6 lb. test but I can't bring myself to go less than 8.

It all depends on how you plan to fish and whether or not you're using a really limber rod or a broom handle instead.

Or it could be he wanted to use 12 lb. because he'll spool less line on it...

A spool that can hold 200 yards of 8 lb test will hold about 123 yards of 12 lb

[roadrunner]

I throw 8 lb on bait casting when I fish Bull Shoals that is as heavy a line as I fish there and I throw both bait casters and spinning. absolutely nothing wrong with it.

[DJD]

For me nothing less than 12# on my baitcasters and as much as 20# both are mono.
My spinning rods get light braid. It's all about preference.

[Wildgoosechase]

Thanks for the input. I thought maybe I'd missed something along the way. I've always use 8lb test on baitcasters, even when striper fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. I typically hit the spool release and use my thumb as my drag and have never had problems. I thought maybe the added wt of the heavier line may help with casting distance, or keep the line from cutting into the spooled line during a hook set, or something like that, maybe something I had never thought of or read anywhere.