what are the rules when using line as in how heavy of a fish can x lb test of line hold?

what are the rules when using line as in how heavy of a fish can x lb test of line hold?

I don't think "rules" is the right word.  You can catch large fish on very light line.  I like to pick line by what type of cover I am fishing and what bait I am using.  I don't ever worry about catching too big a fish for the line I am using ;D

Open clear water I use 6 or 8 lb copoly.  Fishing frogs on top of thick weeds I use 20 or 50 lb braid.  I actually just started using the 50 lb this past year and it may be a little over kill for my type of fishing.  I never had any trouble witht the 20.  I will use 15 lb copoly for spinner baits or rat-l-traps.  

I hope this helps

Tight lines

what are the rules when using line as in how heavy of a fish can x lb test of line hold?

I don't think "rules" is the right word.  You can catch large fish on very light line.  I like to pick line by what type of cover I am fishing and what bait I am using.  I don't ever worry about catching too big a fish for the line I am using ;D

Open clear water I use 6 or 8 lb copoly.  Fishing frogs on top of thick weeds I use 20 or 50 lb braid.  I actually just started using the 50 lb this past year and it may be a little over kill for my type of fishing.  I never had any trouble witht the 20.  I will use 15 lb copoly for spinner baits or rat-l-traps.  

I hope this helps

Tight lines

thanks. im always worried im gonna tie on my $10 crystal minnow on 12 lb test and loose it to a huge bass.

i think i will try 17 or 20lb

If you are concerened about losing expensive lures, then braid is your answer. I like braided lines for a lot of other reasons. Although some guys are pretty passionate about it, there are no iron clad rules about line test. There are lots of light line fishing records that easily prove that with the right rod, reel & terminal tackle you can successfully catch fish weighing many, many times the tested breaking strength of your line. Check out IGFA records website. Hope this helps.

Ronnie

No rules, just common sense. One of the things to really pay attention to is the line weight rating on your rods. If you go under, you may loose a lot of baits on the hookset. And if you go over, you can snap a rod. A little common sense, and a good drag, properly set, will take care of both situations.

Good luck,

GK

thanks. im always worried im gonna tie on my $10 crystal minnow on 12 lb test and loose it to a huge bass.  

i think i will try 17 or 20lb

I think 12 lb would be enough for any minnow type stick bait.  I have landed  3 foot long stripers on 10 lb.  Check your line and retie often.  

im always worried im gonna tie on my $10 crystal minnow on 12 lb test and loose it to a huge bass.

Caught my PB bass ( 13.86 ) on a Shad Rap tied with 10 lb test. Caught a 20 lbs carp on 6 lb test, 590 lbs marlin with 30 pound test.

Big bunch of 9-12 lbers on 8-12 pound test.

Very seldomly I have experienced line breakage while fighting a fish unless it wraps itself around a 50 ft tall sunken willow or a 30 ft tall sunken mesquite.

My second biggest LMB, 10.5, was caught on 4# PLine CXX. That was fun! 8-)

I've also had dinks bust me off while using the same line.

At least I think they were dinks.  :-/ We'll just say they were dinks!   ;D

Anyway,it adds to the challenge but it also depends on the situation.

Not my first choice for trophy hunting but I'll take 'em when anyway I can get 'em!

One dude down here caught a 42# Carp on 4# line earlier this year. 1 hour and 15 minute fight! Gotta love it!  8-)