Lighten Up and Enjoy
by Pete Riedesel
Long winter days spent indoors provide plenty of time for thinking. Various subjects criss-cross my mind, occupying time until another season of soft-water angling begins. My annual winter overdose of fishing TV shows and magazine articles brought on this tackle-related thought: Why do so many fishing experts advocate stout line for small to medium size gamefish like smallmouth and largemouth bass? Time after time the experts advise using 14, 17, 20, and even 30 pound test line. If you think this approach is limited to bass fishermen consider this: a recent edition of In-Fisherman Magazine carried an article by an expert on white bass. One of his techniques for spooning whites included recommending 20 pound test line. In most areas of the country a two pound white bass is a trophy.
Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but isn't a large part of the pleasure in fishing the feeling of satisfaction you get from winning a fair battle with your quarry? Even the toughest three pound fish can be brought to the boat in short order on 17 pound test line. A fair battle means using line light enough to bring out the best attributes of the fish and the highest level of skill from the fisherman. In this area we can learn from fly fishermen who have always supported this practice.
New technology and advice given by fishing experts are the primary reasons the trend towards stronger line continues. Technological advances are being applied to all pursuits and fishing is no exception. New materials and improved manufacturing processes have resulted in a market flooded with super strong line. Add to this TV pros whose shows are sponsored by these same companies, and you end up with a constant barrage of information touting the new lines' superior fish catching ability. What goes unsaid is this improved catching comes mostly from overmatching the fish.
For most of us, fishing is recreation. Our success is measured in many ways, not just a fish count at days' end. If my livelihood depended on catching fish, I would certainly be using the strongest line possible, and I'm not saying some situations don't require stronger than normal line. Rather, my suggestion as you spool up this season is to consider the benefits of choosing line strength that matches your abilities against the fighting attributes of the fish you pursue. Will you lose some fish? Maybe. But the truth is you lose some no matter what line you use. What you will gain is a more satisfying experience from hook set to landing. So lighten up and enjoy.
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