Ok I been upgrading my line test due to losing bigger bass. I also went longer on my rod lengths for my topwater & crankbaits too. I ran into a good thought that some may not ask nor think of. When going to heavier line which can be a larger diameter do you surpass the reel specs. on the line test/diameter? I'm thinking if we go past the line specs. on the spool it can affect the

Casting distance thus the way the line comes off the spool. I often wonder this when I see guys like birdnest using spinning reels. The line will come off in coils as they cast. The larger line comes off the smaller spool because of the tighter wrap.

Now my question to all bass fisherman & fisherwoman is;

1. Do you follow the specs on the rod and reel for line test and diameter when choosing a line size?

2. If the rod can handle a higher pound test line do you upgrade your reel to match it if it's not up to the specs of the rod?

3. Do you pick a Rod & Reel setup to match the line test your going to use?

4. How important to you is matching the rod & reel to the line your going to use?

I just thought about this when I was buying new larger reels so I can upgrade my line to a stronger test without losing anything in performance. Do I make sense??

The lures did come with suggestion on what line test to use for the best performance of the lure too. This could be a problem why we're not catching fish too. But that's another post.

For the past several months I have been fishing Kanzen and Tuf-Line braid with a Tatrsu

leader on several rigs, both spinning and baitcasting. On spinning tackle I am using 10 lb

Tuf-Line with 10 lb Tatsu. The baitcasting set-up is Kanzen 40  with either Tatsu 12 lb or

20 lb depending on technique. If you will take the time to master the Alberto's Knot so that

you have 100% confidence in this rig, these line/ leader combinations are the best of both

worlds.