I've always believed in the "rule of sixteenths". IOW, a quarter-ounce lure is 4/16ths, so minimum line test to throw it is 4 lb. test.  5/8 oz. is 10/16ths, so use a minimum of 10 lb. test line to throw it.  In the last few years I have come to kinda question this system, but I always figured it was roughly correct.

   Tonight one of my friends, who surf fishes in Texas, told me he throws 4 oz. weights on 15 lb. Big Game, and 5 oz. weights on 20 lb. Big Game. I couldn't believe it. A little leeway I understand, but this is so far beyond anything I've seen or tried that it's hard for me to accept. If this is true, I should be able to throw a 1 oz. lure with 4 or 5 lb. test line. And I can't. No way. Line will snap every time.

   He's not lying. He's not that type. So what gives? Anyone know?      jj

I've surf fished some, mostly on the Outer Banks, since the mid-70s anyway. It's possible, but a lot of folks use a higher test shock leader. I'd have to know if he's lobbing his casts or snapping them far out there. And what length rods he's using. See what you can find out. I've done a lot of fishing with 17- or 20-pound mono and 3 to 6-ounce pyramid sinkers, plus cut bait. Also thrown a lot of 3 and 4-ounce Hopkins lures on the same outfits for 10 to 18-pound bluefish in the surf.

 

At Cape Point at Hatteras they usually have 8 ounces plus bait and serious rods and reels and line. It's fun fishing in the dark for big red drum, but I'm getting too old and too lazy for it.

In addition to lure weight, type, species, cover, line management all are other factors to consider. 

Guys throw swimbaits over half a pound on 25lb line so I wouldn't hold too strictly to your system. I'm usually not directly equating the lure weight with my line choice. It plays a role sure, but other things like the cover and gear I'm using for that lure are bigger factors. 

Back then we’d throw a rock attached to 8lb Walmart mono on whatever rod/reel we could find in the garage. Not until we started ‘learning’ stuff did limitations come in. I’ve seen guys in 60k bass boat zero and dudes with a cane pole fill up a cooler. It’s all about knowing ‘your’ craft. Those numbers and data are rough suggestions 

Line test is only one consideration.  Type and quality of gear is another and finally the skill of the angler also comes into play.   

13 hours ago, Johnbt said:

I'd have to know if he's lobbing his casts or snapping them far out there. And what length rods he's using. See what you can find out.

   No answer last night.  I'll try again tonight. I have a feeling there's more to this than meets the eye, because I've snapped 8 lb. test line throwing 5/8 ounce spoons. There may have been a nick in the line, there may not. But the line damage I have to deal with is the same line damage he has to deal with, so I'd think that would level out.

   Thx.    jj

20 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I've always believed in the "rule of sixteenths". IOW, a quarter-ounce lure is 4/16ths, so minimum line test to throw it is 4 lb. test.  5/8 oz. is 10/16ths, so use a minimum of 10 lb. test line to throw it.  In the last few years I have come to kinda question this system, but I always figured it was roughly correct.

   Tonight one of my friends, who surf fishes in Texas, told me he throws 4 oz. weights on 15 lb. Big Game, and 5 oz. weights on 20 lb. Big Game. I couldn't believe it. A little leeway I understand, but this is so far beyond anything I've seen or tried that it's hard for me to accept. If this is true, I should be able to throw a 1 oz. lure with 4 or 5 lb. test line. And I can't. No way. Line will snap every time.

   He's not lying. He's not that type. So what gives? Anyone know?      jj

Another guy I want to score some cush from...

Using your "system" we would need 64 lb test for the 4 oz weight. 15 lb is a bit light for 4 oz, but only somewhat. Most surf guys have gone to braid and mono leader cause casting distance is often a thing, but 20 lb mono works well  too. Now I gotta go work out a formula for what line to use for eight and bait...

   Thank you.  jj