If using mono or fluoro, what is the lightest line you would use for a texas-rigged plastic?

 

How about a bait with a weedguard?

I use 8 lb Trilene XT on my spinning gear when throwing 1/8 or lighter and really like it. XT runs a tad thick, so I would not go any higher.

8 lb is my go to

  The absolute lightest I will use is 6 lb. Stren or YoZuri Hybrid. Both are strong 6 lb lines. I use them on relatively clear bottoms. If there are weeds, trees or brush, I immediately go up in test as I need to.  jj

I'm mainly thinking of what size line it takes to punch through the plastic bait when setting the hook.

My Texas Rig & Jig rod is spooled with 15# Berkley Big Game Mean Green.

 

I have on occasion dropped down to 12#, I do believe I feel bites better but I also know I break-off more.

12lb is the lowest I use, mostly 15-20

i will use 8lb Seguar InvisX on occasion but i feel its really tough to dial in the drag to hookset ratio. 

It depends on where I'm throwing.   Currently on my dedicated 10" power worm rig, I'm throwing 17 lb Abrazx.  On slightly lighter rigs, where mostly I'm throwing 5' stick worms into cover, 15 lb Abrazx is where I'm at right now.  On my bubba drop shot rig, which I occasionally tx rig baits, 20 lb fluorocarbon gets the nod right now.

14#, 16# or 20# flouro depending on what I'm throwing where. 

 

 

 

Mike

6 hours ago, billmac said:

I'm mainly thinking of what size line it takes to punch through the plastic bait when setting the hook.

Use strong lighter wire hooks and skin hook the soft plastic worm. I use Owner 5133 1/0 with 5 lb Max UG slip shot rig with spinning tackle. Bait casting with bullet weight and standard worm hooks 10 lb is the lightest I would go, usually 12 lb or 16 lb depending on the cover.

Tom

8lb on small t-rigs on spinning gear. 12lb is the lowest I go for standard t-rigs on casting gear.

I won’t go less than 10 lb for light t-rigs on a spinning rig. 

Light T-Rigs get tossed on the Trion with 10# Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

Anywhere from 8lb to 12 lb, depending on conditions, i.e. cover, clear, or stained water, ect.

1 hour ago, Glaucus said:

8lb on small t-rigs on spinning gear. 12lb is the lowest I go for standard t-rigs on casting gear.

Me too^^^

6lb is lowest I will go on spinning gear and 10lb on baitcasters.

6lb Seaguar Red label leader to 8lb braid fishing Z-man bulletz with a Crawz and the TRD with the weedless jighead.

12# Sniper is lowest, but use 14# the most on baitcasters.

 

20-30# braid with 10-14# leader on spinning.

I would suggest, you keep two things in mind.  First, if you are using a sharp hook, the pressure it takes for the hook to penetrate a bass’s mouth is not that much.  Next, any concern with the weight of the line used is more the weight of the fish.  Here is where the drank on your reel is key.

 

On very clear lakes many pro fishermen use 6# and even lighter line is used on spinning tackle.  

 

IMO, the maximum drag on my reels range from 12-14 lbs, so rarely do I use any line that is more than 12 lb test, especially since I fish a lot of clear lakes.

I never go below 10 on spinning gear with finesse tactics..light Texas rigs etc. On my casting gear it's at least 15lb usually 20

6 lb Trilene XT.

I have thrown a weightless T-Rigged on 8lb line before on occasion, although would normally ideally use at least 15lb braid or 10lb mono/fluoro.