Okay ill try and get straight to the point ..I use 12pd for my crankbait rod and I was using it for fishing ponds for swimjigs and a 3/8 Texas rig..I use flouro braid an mono and usually pack 5 rods all rigged up diff..lately I've been using 17-20 pd mono for jigging 1/2 jigs 10-12" worms 30pd braid for other things and have been using my 12 for lighter texas rigs and 7" worms smaller things ..but here's my dilemma I fish on the lake with a good tournament fisherman about 3 times a month and he has been trying to get me to keep around 20 pd test on everything..where fixing to fish a tournament July 13 so I just recently swapped most of my rods to 20 pd test..I mostly fish ponds and lakes and I use the same stuff everyone uses on the lakes curados revos g loomis etc etc..I pretty comfortable using 12pd test but I'm into punching thick grass and doing the same things most do on the lakes in small lakes an ponds..basically I hunt for huge bass in ponds alot..I guess what I'm asking is as comfortable as I am with 30 pound braid and 12 pound mono and flouro is it really necessary for me to use 20 pd test fishing the Kentucky lake? I know punching and grass mats require heavier lines but still..opinions ? I feel comfortable with the 12 pd test even when I'm pulling 5-6 pd bass out but it's easier when using 17-20..I think what I'm doing is overkill and the heavier line of course doesn't cast as well I'm using 3/8 and 1/2 weights on it..I don't throw too much 3/4 and 1 ounce unless I'm on the big lake in a bass boat ..

Punching grass I use 65-pound braid tied directly to the bait or if not braid then will go with 17-pound flourocarbon.

 

Crankbait line tests can range from 12 to 25+ depending on the structure you are fishing and how deep you want the crankbait to go and stay in the strike zone.

 

12-pound test flourocarbon on baitcasters for all other appliations other than for shaky head which I go down to 8-pound flourocarbon.

 

Throw what you have confidence.

Thanks that's pretty much what in doing..I was just curious with me mostly fishing ponds could I get away with 12pd mono for most applications even cover..I love the way 12 pd feels but I'm not as comfortable pulling lunkers out even though I have done it often with 12..for some reason I feel like I need 17-20 fishing any good cover..I guess to sum it up what I'm saying I love the way 12 feels fishing but I feel more confident when I hook up with 17-20 pd like its gonna hold em alot better..

Tournament fishermen don't want to chance losing a fish if they can help it.  Thus the suggestion for 20# instead of 12# mono.  I fish for pleasure (although I hate losing a fish anyway), and 12# mono goes on the majority of my MH rods.  8# mono goes on the majority of my Medium rods.  I use braid very seldom....mostly for throwing into lily pads although I want to try some on a jig rod.